State of California
Governor's Office of Planning and Research

Sources: An Annotated Bibliography for California Planners

Land Use Regulation

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The Administration of Flexible Zoning Techniques, PAS Report No. 318 (1976); by Michael J. Meshenburg; $24.00 from the American Planning Association Planners Book Service, 122 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 1600 Chicago, IL 60603-6107, (312) 786-6344.
          This 62 page report describes zoning techniques including planned unit development, overlay zoning, incentive zoning, and transfer of development rights.

Alternative Techniques for Controlling Land Use: A Guide for Small Cities and Rural Areas in California (1983, revised 1989); by Irving Schiffman; $20.00 from the University Center for Economic Development and Planning, California State University Chico, CA 95929-0716, (916) 895-4598.
          This source book discusses alternative techniques for regulating development and land use in small towns and rural areas. It contains definitions, methods, benefits, limitations, and legal status of techniques ranging from agricultural buffers to zero lot line housing. In addition, it identifies cities or counties that are using those techniques.

California Condominium and Planned Development Practice; available from California Continuing Education of the Bar, 2300 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, CA 94704, (415) 642-6810.
          This book examines current laws regulating condominiums and planned development, including both the Subdivision Map Act and the Subdivided Lands Act. It is aimed at the practicing attorney, but is a useful reference for planners as well.

California Permit Handbook (1997); Office of Permit Assistance; $16.00 per copy from General Services, Publications Section, P.O. Box 1015, North Highlands, CA 95660, (916) 574-2200 (stock no. 7540-931-1025-8).
          This is a detailed description of over 30 major state development requirements with additional information on federal and local government review procedures and permits.

California Subdivision Map Act Practice (1987, 1997 supplement); by Daniel J. Curtin, Jr., Robert E. Merritt, Jr., et al.; available from California Continuing Education of the Bar, 2300 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, CA 94704, (415) 642-6810.
          This is a comprehensive and detailed reference on the statutory and case law requirements governing the division of land in California. It affords up-to-date interpretations of statute and case law. It details the procedures, map requirements, and administration of subdivision regulations under the Subdivision Map Act. The appendices contain examples of local ordinances and forms.

California Zoning Practice (supplemented yearly); available from California Continuing Education of the Bar, 2300 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, CA 94704, (415) 642-6810.
          This reference describes the basis for zoning regulations in California in a thorough interpretation of statute and case law. Its main emphasis is on zoning, not the general plan.

Code Enforcement: A Comprehensive Approach (1994), by Joseph M. Schilling and James B. Hare; $38 plus sales tax and shipping from Solano Press, P.O. Box 773, Point Arena, CA 95468, (707) 884-4508.
          A guidebook for practitioners involved in code enforcement, including planning, zoning, building, and fire prevention officials.

Design Review, PAS Report No. 454 (1995); by Mark L. Hinshaw; $28.00 from the American Planning Association Planners Book Service, 122 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 1600 Chicago, IL 60603-6107, (312) 786-6344.
          This report proposes and examines a solution to the failure of zoning standards to address issues of visual quality and community character. Design review attempts to achieve good design through community consensus and cooperation.

Development Agreements: Practice, Policy, and Prospects (1989); by Douglas R. Porter and Lindell Marsh, (eds.); $30.00 for ULI members or $38.00 for non-members from the Urban Land Institute, 1090 Vermont Ave. N.W., Suite 300, Washington, D.C. 20005, (202) 289-8500.
          This book is based upon the proceedings of a ULI-sponsored forum on development agreements. It reviews the principal features of development agreements, their practical applications, and their legal and planning basis. Examples are included from California, Florida, Hawaii, Canada, and Sweden.

Enforcing Zoning and Land Use Controls (1988) PAS Report No. 409, by Eric D. Kelly, available for $28.00 from the American Planning Association Planners Book Service, 122 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 1600 Chicago, IL 60603-6107, (312) 786-6344.
          This report examines the practical and legal issues surrounding zoning enforcement. It includes a variety of sample forms.

Flexible Zoning: How it Works (1988); by Douglas R. Porter, et al.; $35.00 for ULI members or $44.00 for non-members from the Urban Land Institute, 1090 Vermont Ave. N.W., Suite 300, Washington, C.C. 20005, (202) 289-8500.
          This volume evaluates performance zoning systems as practiced by seven communities around the country (including Fort Collins, CO and Largo, FL). It also has suggestions for communities considering the use of such systems.

Implementing the New Telecommunications Law (1996); $19.95 for APA members and $24.95 for non-members from the American Planning Association Planners Book Service, 122 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 1600 Chicago, IL 60603-6107, (312) 786-6344.
          This comprehensive report serves as a guide to the Telecommunications Act of 1996. It provides an overview of the Act; analyzes planning, zoning, and building codes for the location of towers and satellite dishes; and discusses the compensation for the use of public rights-of-way and taxation.

Local Government Permit Streamlining Strategies (1994), from the Office of Permit Assistance, Trade and Commerce Agency, 801 K Street, 17th Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814, (916) 322-4245.
          A menu of strategies for local government to make permitting both more efficient and more responsive.

Merger and Local Government (1986); free from the Governor's Office of Planning and Research, 1400 Tenth St., Sacramento, CA 95814, (916) 322-3170.
          This advisory memo from the Office of Planning and Research describes how local governments may adopt a lot merger ordinance under the Subdivision Map Act.

The New City's Planning Handbook (1989); $3.00 from the Governor's Office of Planning and Research, 1400 Tenth St., Sacramento, CA 95814, (916) 322-3170.
          This brief booklet is aimed at newly incorporated cities. It describes a new city's planning responsibilities, including how to address projects that were previously approved by the county.

New Standards for Nonresidential Uses, PAS Report No. 405 (1987); $28.00 from the American Planning Association Planners Book Service, 122 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 1600 Chicago, IL 60603-6107, (312) 786-6344.
          This report examines the limits of conventional intensity standards and offers more precise methods for measuring the intensity of nonresidential uses. It also shows how to concurrently modify conventional regulations, protect community character, and permit design flexibility.

Performance Controls for Sensitive Lands: A Practical Guide for Local Administrators, PAS Report No. 307/308 (1975); $16.00 from the American Planning Association Planners Book Service, 122 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 1600 Chicago, IL 60603-6107, (312) 786-6344.
          Here are some techniques for regulating development on environmentally sensitive lands. Included are hillside and wetland regulations.

Preparing a Conventional Zoning Ordinance, PAS Report No. 460 (1995); $34.00 from the American Planning Association Planners Book Service, 122 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 1600 Chicago, IL 60603-6107, (312) 786-6344.
          This comprehensive guide describes the preparation process of clear and concise regulations, definitions, and procedures.

Putting TDRs to Work in California (1993), by Rich Pruetz; $25 plus sales tax and shipping from Solano Press, P.O. Box 773, Point Arena, CA 95468, (707) 884-4508.
          This is the first comprehensive examination of transfer development rights ordinances and programs currently in use throughout California.

Recreation, Park, and Open Space Standards and Guidelines (1994); available from the National Recreation and Park Association, 3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302, (703) 820-4940.
          This book contains a park classification system and recommended standards for park and recreation areas. It includes standards for neighborhood, community, and regional parks as well as sample ordinances.

Regulating Satellite Dish Antennas, PAS Report No. 394 (1986); $24.00 from the American Planning Association Planners Book Service, 122 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 1600 Chicago, IL 60603-6107, (312) 786-6344.
          This report examines the legal and aesthetic issues related to dish antenna regulation. It also includes a sample ordinance that incorporates suggested yard requirements, set-backs, height and bulk regulations, and screening requirements.

Sign Regulation for Small and Midsize Communities (1989) PAS Report No. 409, by Eric D. Kelly and Gary J. Raso, is available for $28.00 from the American Planning Association Planners Book Service, 122 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 1600 Chicago, IL 60603-6107, (312) 786-6344.
          This report discusses issues in sign regulation and includes a generic model ordinance.

Street Graphics and the Law (1988); by Daniel R. Mandelker and William Ewald; $29.95 for APA members and $35.95 for non-members from the American Planning Association Planners Book Service, 122 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 1600 Chicago, IL 60603-6107, (312) 786-6344.
          This book discusses the legal and regulatory issues of sign controls. It includes topical legal opinions and court decisions as well as a model sign ordinance.

Transferable Development Rights Programs, PAS Report No. 401 (1987); $16.00 from the American Planning Association Planners Book Service, 122 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 1600 Chicago, IL 60603-6107, (312) 786-6344.
          This report from the Planning Advisory Service explains the concepts of TDR, its legal foundation, and the pros and cons of several TDR programs in use around the country.

A Unified Development Ordinance; by Michael B. Brough; $34.95 for APA members, $39.95 for non-members, from the American Planning Association Planners Book Service, 122 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 1600 Chicago, IL 60603-6107, (312) 786-6344.
          This is a detailed model ordinance which combines the zoning and subdivision ordinances. It contains a mixture of commentary and ordinance language aimed at streamlining the land development process.