Draft — Open for Public Comment
The Draft General Plan was published March 27, 2026.
Public hearings: Planning Commission April 28 · City Council May 18
Comment deadline: May 18, 2026
Submit Comments → Read the Full Draft →

Petaluma's Road Map
for the Next 25 Years

After five years of community engagement — 140+ meetings, surveys, open houses, and pop-up events — the draft General Plan is ready. It will guide every major decision about housing, transportation, land use, and the environment from now through 2050.

Five Pillars
Preserve & Protect → Natural lands, open space, historic character
Growth & Development → Housing, infill, transit corridors
Public Services → Bike networks, parks, infrastructure
Prosperity → Economy, arts, health equity
Implementation → Annual reporting, code updates, accountability
Where We Are
✓
Draft published
Mar 27, 2026
Planning Commission hearing
Apr 28, 2026
City Council hearing
May 18, 2026
Final adoption (targeted)
Fall 2026
Office Hours with Planners
Apr 8 · In person · City Hall
Apr 27 · Virtual
May 12 · Virtual
May 13 · In person · City Hall
General Plan Elements

15 chapters covering every aspect of city life.

Land Use
DRAFT
The core framework for where and how Petaluma grows over the next 25 years.
  • Urban Growth Boundary maintained — no sprawl beyond current city limits
  • 15-minute activity centers: daily needs walkable from home in 16 neighborhoods
  • Single-family zones will allow duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes
  • Up to 8 stories allowed on one parcel adjacent to the Downtown SMART station
  • 330-foot no-development buffer along the Upper Reach of the Petaluma River
Read PDF → Ask the chat →
Transportation
DRAFT
A shift from car-first to a complete, multimodal network for walking, biking, and transit.
  • Prioritizes cycling, walking, and transit over automobile travel
  • New protected bike lanes and complete street standards on major corridors
  • Better East–West connections across the river and railroad
  • Coordinates with the Active Transportation Plan already underway
  • EV infrastructure and low-carbon travel incentives
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Flood Resilience
DRAFT
Updated flood policies for a city on a river facing sea level rise.
  • 330-foot buffer along the Petaluma River Upper Reach — no new development
  • Flood modeling updated to include sea level rise and climate change projections
  • New construction standards exceeding FEMA requirements in flood-prone areas
  • River-Oriented Development Areas: limited development allowed with strict standards
  • Retention Areas: no development permitted
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Housing Element
ADOPTED 2023
Already adopted and certified. Covers Petaluma's housing goals through 2031.
  • State-certified Housing Element covering the 2023–2031 RHNA cycle
  • Anti-displacement policies and affordability programs
  • ADU streamlining: duplexes and ADUs permitted by right in residential zones
  • Sites identified for new housing across the city
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Additional Elements
Natural Features
DRAFT
Open space, urban forest, and the Petaluma River ecosystems.
  • Urban Growth Boundary greenbelts protected
  • Urban forestry program to expand tree canopy
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Historic & Cultural
DRAFT
Preserving the downtown, agricultural heritage, and cultural sites.
  • Historic downtown protections strengthened
  • New heritage surveys and guidelines
Read PDF → Ask the chat →
Safety
DRAFT
Wildfire, earthquake, and climate hazard preparedness.
  • Hazard mitigation for wildfire and seismic risk
  • Emergency infrastructure resilience
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Parks & Recreation
DRAFT
Expanding parks, trails, and river access across the city.
  • New park priority in underserved neighborhoods
  • Lynch Creek and East Side Ring Trail improvements
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Economic Development
DRAFT
Supporting local businesses, industry, and jobs.
  • Streamlined business permitting; industrial land preserved
  • SMART station development prioritized
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Health, Equity & EJ
DRAFT
Ensuring all residents share the benefits of planning.
  • Equity priority areas mapped across the city
  • Pollution reduction and park access for underserved communities
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Public Facilities
DRAFT
Schools, fire stations, City Hall, and community centers.
  • Carbon-neutral public facilities; Public Safety Facility planning
  • Library and community center investment
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Infrastructure & Utilities
DRAFT
Water, sewer, stormwater, and energy systems.
  • Zero-emission water and wastewater facilities; onsite energy production
  • Sustainable stormwater management
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Arts, Culture & Creativity
DRAFT
A thriving creative economy and public art program.
  • Expand public art and cultural programming
  • Support creative businesses and artist workspaces
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Noise
DRAFT
Managing noise from traffic, the airport, and development.
  • Transportation noise mitigation along major corridors
  • Airport noise buffer policies
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Implementation & Governance
DRAFT
How the plan gets done and how residents stay informed.
  • Annual implementation status report
  • Municipal Code and IZO updates required; public engagement in all implementation steps
Read PDF → Ask the chat →