The Planning Division reviews land use applications and facilitates new development consistent with the City’s General Plan, Zoning Ordinance, applicable Specific Plans, the Subdivision Ordinance, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and other State, Federal and local regulations pertaining to new development activity.The Division administers thousands of separate policy, regulatory and entitlement plans throughout the City going back many decades. Most area-focused plans and all individual property entitlement plans are only available in the Planning Division during normal business hours.
The Division is responsible for the maintenance and implementation of the City’s General Plan, the maintenance and administration of Title 17 (Zoning Ordinance), the implementation of the City’s Tobacco Ordinance (in Title 8 – Health and Safety) and the co-administration of Title 16 (Subdivisions) of the El Cajon Municipal Code. The Planning Division serves as the clearinghouse for all City projects subject to CEQA.
Through its code compliance staff, the Planning Division is responsible for proactive enforcement of the City’s Zoning Ordinance (Title 17), applicable housing codes (Title 15), and the tobacco ordinance (Title 8). Code compliance complaints are filed through the City Manager’s Office.
