California Government Code Sections 65060 - 65069.5
Article 1. General Provisions and Definitions
65060. This chapter may be cited and shall be known as the Regional Planning Law.
(Added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 1811.)
65060.1. The Legislature finds and declares that the people of California have a fundamental interest in the orderly development of the urban regions of the State in which large segments of the State's population are concentrated.
(Added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 1811.)
65060.2. The Legislature further finds and declares:
(a) That the State has a positive interest in the preparation and maintenance of a long-term, general plan for the physical development of each of the State's urban areas that can serve as a guide to the affected local governmental units within such areas and to the state departments and divisions that are charged with constructing state-financed public works within such urban areas.
(b) That continuing growth of the State, and particularly urban areas within the State, present problems which are not confined to the boundaries of any single county or city.
(c) That the planning activities of counties and cities can be strengthened and more effectively performed when conducted in relation to studies and planning of an urban regional character.
(d) That in order to assure, insofar as possible, the orderly and harmonious development of the urban areas of the State, and to provide for the needs of future generations, it is necessary to develop a means of studying, forecasting, and planning for the physical growth and development of these areas.
(Added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 1811.)
65060.3. "District," as used in this chapter, means a district created and operating under this chapter.
(Added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 1811.)
65060.4. "Board," as used in this chapter, means the regional planning board.
(Added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 1811.)
65060.5. "Official census," as used in this chapter, means any decennial or special federal census, or an official estimate of the State Department of Finance.
(Added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 1811.)
65060.6. "Region," as used in this chapter, means the area included within a district.
(Added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 1811.)
65060.7. "Regional plan," as used in this chapter, means a comprehensive, long-term general plan for the physical development of the region, and any land outside its boundaries which in the board's judgment bears relation to its planning. The regional plan shall consist of a text and a map or maps, and such recommendations of the regional planning board concerning current or future problems as may in its opinion affect the region as a whole and are proper for inclusion in the regional plan.
(Added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 1811.)
65060.8. A regional plan shall be advisory only and shall not have any binding effect on the counties and cities located within the boundaries of the regional planning district for which the regional plan is adopted.
(Added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 1811.)
Article 2. Creation of Districts
65061. There is hereby created a regional planning district in each of the regional areas designated by the Council on Intergovernmental Relations for the purposes of this chapter after a public hearing within the region. No county, city and county, or city shall be divided in determining the boundaries of a regional planning district.
(Amended by Stats. 1974, Ch. 544.)
65061.2. The boundaries of every regional planning district shall be coextensive with the boundaries of the region within which it is situated.
(Added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 1811.)
65061.3. A district shall not transact any business or exercise any of its powers under this chapter unless the legislative bodies of two-thirds of the counties and two-thirds of the cities, located within the boundaries of the district, by resolution declare that there is a need for such a district to function in the region.
(Added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 1811.)
65061.4. A district shall not transact any business or exercise any of its powers under this chapter if two-thirds of the cities and counties within the district are participating in regional planning pursuant to a joint powers agreement under Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 6500) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code.
(Added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 1811.)
Article 3. City Selection Committees
65062. The city selection committee organized in each county within a district pursuant to Article 11 (commencing with Section 50270) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Division 1 of Title 5 shall meet within 60 days after the date upon which the district becomes operative for the purpose of making the first appointments to the district board as prescribed in Sections 65063.1 and 65063.3. Succeeding appointments to the board shall be made by such city selection committees as required by this chapter.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1972, Ch. 1232.)
Article 4. Governing Body
65063. The Regional Planning Board shall be the governing body of the district, and shall be selected as provided in this article.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 1811.)
65063.1. The number of members of the board to which each county is entitled shall be determined as follows:
(a) Each county having, within the district, a population of 350,000 or less shall have two (2) members of the regional planning board, one (1) appointed by the board of supervisors and one (1) appointed by the city selection committee.
(b) Each county having, within the district, a population of more than 350,000 and not more than 600,000 shall have four (4) members of the regional planning board. Two
members shall be appointed by the board of supervisors and two (2) members shall be appointed by the city selection committee.
(c) Each county having, within the district, a population of more than 600,000 shall have six (6) members of the regional planning board. Three (3) members shall be appointed by the board of supervisors and three (3) members shall be appointed by the city selection committee.
The population figures as used herein shall be determined by the latest official census.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 1811.)
65063.2. Within 60 days after the date the district first becomes operative, the board of supervisors of each county in the district shall appoint as members of the regional planning board of said district the number authorized by Section 65063.1.
The members of the regional planning board appointed by boards of supervisors shall be members of said boards of supervisors.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 1811.)
65063.3. The members of the regional planning board appointed by the city selection committee shall be mayors or members of the city councils of the cities.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 1811.)
65063.4. A member of the board of supervisors of any county, or a mayor or member of a city council of any city within any county, in the district may be appointed to and serve contemporaneously as a member of the regional planning board.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 1811.)
65063.5. After the members of the regional planning board to be appointed by the city selection committees and the county boards of supervisors have been designated, they shall meet and appoint one citizen-at-large member for each county included in the district who will be full members of the regional planning board. These citizen-at-large members shall be selected from among persons living within the district who have made outstanding contributions to, or have demonstrated an active interest in, matters of regional concern.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 1811.)
65063.6. The term of office of the member shall be four years and until the appointment and qualification of his successor; provided that the first members of the board shall classify themselves by lot within the city and county group and the citizen-at-large group so that approximately one-third (1/3) of the members of each group shall hold office for two (2) years, approximately one-third (1/3) shall hold office for three (3) years and approximately one-third (1/3) shall hold office for four (4) years. The power which originally appointed a member whose term has expired shall appoint his successor for a full term of four (4) years. Any member may be removed by the power appointing him.
(Added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 1811.)
65063.7. No supervisor, mayor or city councilman shall hold office on the regional planning board after ceasing to hold the office of supervisor, mayor or city councilman, respectively, and his membership on the board shall thereafter be considered vacant, except that any mayor who continues to hold office as a city councilman, or city councilman who continues to hold office as mayor, shall not be considered to have ceased to hold office under this section.
(Added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 1811.)
65063.8. Any vacancy on the regional planning board shall be filled for the unexpired term by appointment by the power which originally appointed the member whose position had become vacant.
(Added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 1811.)
65064. No person while serving as a member of the regional planning board shall be eligible to be appointed to any salaried office or employment in the service of the district nor shall he become eligible for such appointment within one (1) year after he has ceased to be a member.
(Added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 1811.)
65064.1. The board is the governing body of the district and shall exercise all of the powers of the district, except as otherwise provided.
(Added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 1811.)
65064.2. A majority of the members of the board constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business and may act for the board.
(Added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 1811.)
65064.3. The board may elect a chairman and other officers as it deems necessary from among its own members.
(Added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 1811.)
65064.4. The board may appoint an executive committee, consisting of the chairman of the board, and not more than eight or less than four other members of the board, and such executive committee may carry on the administrative and executive functions of the board between full meetings.
(Added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 1811.)
65064.5. The board shall meet at least six times in each year, and may call additional meetings at its own discretion, or, during periods between meetings, at the discretion of the chairman or of a majority of the executive committee.
(Added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 1811.)
65064.6. Each member of the board shall receive the actual and necessary expenses incurred by him in the performance of his duties, plus a compensation of twenty dollars ($20) for each day attending the meetings of the board, but such compensation shall not exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) in any one year.
(Added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 1811.)
65064.7. The provisions for the executive committee set forth in this article shall not be construed to limit the board or the executive committee from setting up any other committees or groups which it may see fit.
(Added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 1811.)
Article 5. Powers and Duties of District
65065. The district shall have power to establish and maintain such offices as are judged best to facilitate the accomplishment of the purposes of the district, and to take by grant, purchase, devise, or gift, or to lease or rent, and to hold, use, and enjoy any property necessary or convenient to the establishment, maintenance, or operation of such offices, and to exchange or dispose of such property, except that the district shall not purchase real property.
(Added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 1811.)
65065.1. The district may perform the following four major functions:
(a) The district may prepare, maintain, and regularly review and revise, a regional plan as defined in Section 65060.7, and may, after at least two public hearings in different parts of the region and such other public meetings as may appear to it advisable, adopt such plan as the regional plan for the region. In preparing, adopting, maintaining, reviewing and revising the regional plan, the board shall take account of and seek to harmonize, within the framework of the needs of the regional community as a whole, the master or general plans of cities and counties within the region, and the plans and planning activities of state, federal and other public and private agencies, organizations and instrumentalities within the region and adjacent to it.
(b) The district, acting in its own judgment, may make, publish, or assist in making or publishing, studies or investigations of the resources of the region and of existing or emerging problems of any nature related to the physical growth and development, living conditions, beauty, or prosperity of the region, or any part thereof.
(c) The district may, acting in its own judgment, offer its facilities and services to assist in the solution of problems related to physical development involving two or more governing bodies, planning commissions, agencies, organizations or instrumentalities, public or private; and may otherwise participate in any program or activity intended to seek or find common or co-operative solutions to problems related to physical development or the integration of policies related to physical development and conservation within the region, or in any part thereof.
(Added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 1811.)
65065.2. The district shall have power to contract or otherwise participate in, and to accept grants, funds, or services from the federal government, its agencies or instrumentalities in connection with any federal program judged by the board to be relevant to its functions; and the board shall similarly have the power to contract or otherwise participate in, and to accept grants, funds, or services from the State, or any agency or instrumentality thereof, or any city, county, civic organization or private person in connection with any program judged by the board to be relevant to its function.
(Added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 1811.)
65065.3. The district shall have power to contract with any person, firm, association, or corporation, or to contract for any other types of services judged by the board to be necessary or convenient for carrying out the purposes of the district.
(Added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 1811.)
65065.4. The board, acting with the advice of the director, shall determine the compensation, number, and general duties of personnel employed by the district.
(Added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 1811.)
Article 6. Regional Planning Director
65066. The board shall appoint a regional planning director.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 1811.)
65066.1. The regional planning director shall be the chief administrative and planning officer and technical adviser of the board. The director shall, subject to the supervision of the board:
(a) Direct and administer the preparation, maintenance, regular review and revision of the regional plan, and administer and execute all of the other functions and duties of the district set forth in this chapter.
(b) Appoint and remove personnel of the district.
(c) Serve, or designate personnel to serve, as executive secretary to the board.
(d) Perform such other duties and exercise such other powers as the board may delegate to him.
(Added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 1811.)
Article 7. Co-ordination of Local Planning
65067. To facilitate effective and harmonious planning and development of the region, all county and city legislative bodies, and all county, city or other planning agencies within the district shall file with the board, for its information, all county or city master or general plans, the elements of such master or general plans, and any other published development plans, zoning ordinances, official maps, subdivision regulations, or amendments or revisions thereof. All agencies, organizations and instrumentalities of the State within the region shall file with the board, for its information, all public plans, maps, reports and other documents which are related to regional planning or physical development.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 1811.)
65067.1. To facilitate further the effective and harmonious planning of the district, the board may request from the federal government, its agencies and instrumentalities, and from private organizations, agencies, or individuals, copies of those plans, maps, reports and other documents which are related to regional planning.
(Added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 1811.)
65067.2. County or city legislative bodies, planning commissions, and all other county or city planning agencies within the district, and agencies, organizations and instrumentalities of the state and federal government within the district, and private planning consultants acting within the district, may submit proposals for any master or general plan, the elements of any master or general plan, any other plan, map, report, capital improvement program, proposed bond issue, or any other report or document or amendments or revisions thereto, prior to their adoption, to the regional planning board for its advice thereon, which advice the board shall give whenever in its opinion it is reasonably possible for it to do so. Such advice shall consist of a report as to the conformance of such proposals to the regional plan, the possible effect of such proposals on other portions of the region, and any other matters which in the judgment of the board may be of assistance to the body requesting such advice.
(Added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 1811.)
65067.3. In addition to the other reports, studies and documents provided in this chapter, the board shall submit to the legislative bodies and to the planning agencies of all of the counties, cities, and to other governmental agencies and instrumentalities, official representatives, other agencies, organizations and individuals, public or private, designated by the board, an annual report on or before the first day of March. The annual report shall contain a report on the status of the regional plan, and descriptions of those sections of the regional plan which have been amended, revised, added or deleted during the year, and a brief report of other major activities.
(Added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 1811.)
Article 8. Financial Provisions
65069. Pursuant to concurrent resolution adopted by the boards of supervisors of the several counties in which the district functions, such counties may lend to the district out of available funds an amount not to exceed seventy-five thousand dollars ($75,000) in order to enable the district to perform its functions and meet its obligations. The loan shall be repaid out of the first tax revenues of the district and shall be repaid out of such revenues prior to the payment of any other obligations of the district.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 1811.)
65069.1. Before the 15th day of June of each year the board shall estimate and determine the amount of money required by the district for purposes of the district during the ensuing fiscal year and shall apportion this amount to the counties included within the district, one-half according to the relative value of all the property in each county within the district as determined by the board and one-half in the proportion that the population of each county bears to the total population of the district. For the purposes of this section the board shall base its determination of the population of the several counties on the latest official census information available to it. The total amount of money required by the district for district purposes during any one fiscal year shall not exceed one-half cent ($0.005) on each one hundred dollars ($100) of the assessed valuation of all the property included in the district.
(Added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 1811.)
65069.2. On or before the 15th day of June of each year, the board shall inform the boards of supervisors of each county of the amount apportioned to the county. Each board of supervisors shall levy an ad valorem tax on the taxable property within the county included within the district sufficient to secure the amount so apportioned to it and such taxes shall be levied and collected together with, and not separately from, the taxes for county purposes and paid to the treasurer of each of the counties to the credit of the district.
The board of supervisors, in lieu of levying a tax to secure the amount so apportioned, and if funds are available in the county general fund, may require such amount to be paid by the county treasurer from the general fund of the county to the district treasury.
In lieu of levying a tax and in lieu of using money in the county general fund to secure all or part of the amount so apportioned to the county, the board of supervisors may, with the consent of the board, contribute to the district services of county officers or employees.
(Added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 1811.)
65069.3. Taxes levied by the board of supervisors for the benefit of the district shall be a lien upon all property within such county lying within the district and shall have the same force and effect as other liens for taxes. Their collection may be enforced in the same manner as liens for county taxes are enforced.
(Added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 1811.)
65069.4. The treasurers of the several counties within the district shall pay into the district treasury all funds held by them to the credit of the district.
(Added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 1811.)
65069.5. The district board shall, in carrying out the provisions of this article, comply as nearly as possible with the provisions of Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 29000) of Division 3 of Title 3 of the Government Code.
(Added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 1811.)