Question 1

What is a General Plan?

Accepted Answer

All properties and land uses within the City of Blue Lake are governed by the City’s General Plan. The General Plan establishes Blue Lake’s long-term vision and serves as the primary framework for both strategic planning and day-to-day decision-making. It reflects the community’s priorities, values, and aspirations for future growth while maintaining Blue Lake’s small-town character and environmental setting.

The Plan includes the City’s adopted policies related to land use and community design, transportation, housing, environmental resources, and health and safety. In addition to these citywide policies, certain areas within Blue Lake are subject to more detailed regulations through specific plans and other implementing documents.

Find more information on what a General Plan consists of here: https://opr.ca.gov/planning/general-plan/

Blue Lake's General Plan can be found here: https://bluelake.ca.gov/city-council/general-plan/

Question 2

What is a Housing Element?

Accepted Answer

The Housing Element is a state-mandated component of the City of Blue Lake General Plan that identifies how the City will accommodate existing and projected housing needs for residents at all income levels. As one of the seven required elements of a General Plan under California law, the Housing Element must be updated on an eight-year cycle to remain compliant with State requirements.

Pursuant to California Government Code Section 65583, the Housing Element must:
Establish goals, policies, quantified objectives, and implementation programs to conserve, improve, and develop housing;
Identify and analyze existing and projected housing needs across all income categories, including special needs populations;
Identify adequate sites that are appropriately zoned and available during the planning period to accommodate the City’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) for all income levels;
Be reviewed and certified by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) as consistent with State Housing Element Law; and
Maintain internal consistency with the other elements of the General Plan.

The last Housing Element update for the City of Blue Lake was the 6th Cycle Housing Element (2019–2027) which was adopted by the City Council in July 2025. The Housing Element and more can be found in the Documents page.

Refer to California Code, GOV 65583 for full requirements.

Click here to watch a six minute video by HCD that explains Housing Elements!

Question 3

Why do we need a Housing Element?

Accepted Answer

The requirement for every city and county in California to plan for its “fair share” of projected housing need is established under State Housing Element Law, first enacted in 1969 (California Government Code Section 65583). The underlying principle is that, for the private development market to effectively meet housing demand, local governments, including the City of Blue Lake, must adopt housing plans that create meaningful opportunities for housing and do not unduly constrain residential development.

Having a certified Housing Element ensures:
Eligibility for critical State and Federal funding sources;
Preservation of local control over land use decisions and permitting; and
Eligibility for State-administered funding for infrastructure and community services, including roads, sewer, parks, housing, and planning.

Without a certified Housing Element, the City is:
At risk of losing local land use authority, including reduced control over zoning and the permitting process;
Required to accommodate additional housing obligations and subject to more stringent State oversight;
Ineligible for a range of State-administered funding programs for infrastructure, housing, and planning; and
More vulnerable to legal challenges to its General Plan and land use decisions.

Question 4

What happens if we don't have a compliant (HCD-certified) Housing Element?

Accepted Answer

If a jurisdiction does not have a compliant, HCD-certified Housing Element, it becomes subject to significant consequences under State Housing Element Law. These can include loss of eligibility for key State funding programs, increased oversight and potential legal action by the State, and reduced local control over land use decisions.

In December 2025, the City of Blue Lake entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with HCD. The MOU establishes a binding schedule of actions for the preparation and adoption of the City’s 7th Cycle Housing Element, as well as other City obligations. Under the agreement, the City commits to adopting a substantially compliant 7th Cycle Housing Element by June 1, 2027. Should the City fail to meet its contractual obligations, HCD has the right to enforce the agreement by initiating litigation and imposing remedies and penalties as allowed by State law. Remedies include the Builder’s Remedy, which allows developers to bypass local zoning and general plan rules for qualifying projects. Also, the City could face financial penalties, including fines (the statutory minimum is $10,000 per month).

The MOU and more can be found in the Documents page.

Question 5

When will the housing be built?

Accepted Answer

Housing Element law does not require the City to build the housing. Housing construction is driven by the private market and property owners. Therefore, the timing of new housing development is determined by property owners and market conditions, not the City. While the City of Blue Lake is required to plan for and zone enough land to accommodate its RHNA allocation, it does not control when, or if, specific housing units or projects are constructed. As a result, new housing is ultimately built at the discretion of private property owners and developers.

Question 6

What is Zoning?

Accepted Answer

Zoning establishes the regulatory framework that governs how land can be used and developed. A zoning ordinance consists of two parts: a map (or series of maps) and text. The zoning map shows how the community is divided into different use districts or zones, and it shows the boundaries of each zoning district. The zoning text serves two important functions. First, it explains the zoning rules that apply in each zoning district. These rules typically establish a list of land uses allowed in each district plus a series of specific standards governing lot size, building height, and required yard and setback provisions. Second, the text sets forth a series of procedures for administering and applying the zoning ordinance. (Source: Zoning Basics, Planning Commissioners Journal, Spring 2001, https://planning.org/knowledgebase/resource/9123732/, accessed March 2026).

The City of Blue Lake Zoning Map assigns a zoning district to each property. The Blue Lake Zoning Ordinance (the zoning text) establishes the types of uses that are permitted and conditionally permitted, as well as the development standards that apply. The City’s Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map are intended to ensure that new development is compatible with surrounding uses, supports community character, and aligns with the goals and policies of the General Plan. In some areas, additional standards or overlays may apply, such as design guidelines or specific plan requirements, which provide more detailed direction for development

The Blue Lake Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map can be found in the Documents page.

Question 7

What does this current Housing Element Update cover?

Accepted Answer

The 7th Cycle Housing Element Update will cover the City's housing plan for the 2027–2035 planning period and evaluate existing and projected housing needs. It will establish policies and programs to ensure adequate housing for all income levels for the 2027-2035 planning period. This effort includes coordination with City staff and the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), meaningful public engagement, and completion of environmental review under CEQA, all with the goal of achieving a timely finding of substantial compliance with State Housing Element Law. HCD determines whether a city’s housing element complies with State law.

Housing Element law requires analysis of key factors such as population and employment trends, housing stock characteristics, and both governmental and non-governmental constraints to development, while also identifying sites suitable for residential growth to accommodate the City’s regional housing needs allocation. It further addresses special housing needs, fair housing requirements, energy conservation opportunities, and the preservation of at-risk units to ultimately establish a clear set of policies and implementation programs that will guide zoning, development, and long-term housing decisions in alignment with the General Plan.

Question 8

What is Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH)?

Accepted Answer

Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) is required under California Government Code Section 8899.50 and Housing Element Law (Government Code Section 65583), as enacted and strengthened by Assembly Bill 686 (2018). AFFH requires organizations and entities involved in housing and community development to actively promote fair housing practices and eliminate discrimination. The goal of AFFH is to combat housing discrimination, eliminate racial bias, undo historic patterns of segregation, and lift barriers that restrict access in order to foster inclusive communities and achieve racial equity, fair housing choice, and opportunity for all Californians..

More information about AFFH can be found at the HCD website here: https://www.hcd.ca.gov/affh

Question 9

What is Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA)?

Accepted Answer

The Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) is a state-mandated process in California that determines the number of housing units each city and county must plan for to meet projected housing needs across all income levels in the county/city for the next eight years​. The RHNA is prepared by the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). We are in the 7th Cycle which covers all units approved, permitted, or built between July 15, 2027 – July 15, 2035.

Question 10

What is the Housing Needs Assessment?

Accepted Answer

The Housing Needs Assessment is a required component of a Housing Element that evaluates current and future housing conditions to determine what types of housing a community needs across income levels, household types, and special populations.

Under California Housing Element Law, the Housing Needs Assessment:
Establishes the baseline conditions of the local housing market
Incorporates the jurisdiction’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA)
Identifies gaps between existing supply and projected need
Provides the evidentiary basis for policies, programs, and the sites inventory

The Housing Needs Assessment includes: 
Population Trends​
Household Income​
Special Needs​
Housing Characteristics and Conditions​
Cost of Housing​
Housing Constraints​
Housing Resources and Opportunities

More information about the Housing Needs Assessment can be found at the HCD website here: https://www.hcd.ca.gov/housing-element/building-blocks/before-you-start/determining-needs

Question 11

Who is preparing the Housing Element Update?

Accepted Answer

The Housing Element Update is being prepared for City Staff by a team of planning specialists that include community planners and technical specialists:
Planwest Partners (lead consultant)
Mickelson Facilitation (community engagement subconsultant)

Question 12

How to participate?

Accepted Answer

Join our email list
Just submit your email in the "Sign Up for Updates" space on the bottom of the page.

Send us your thoughts, anytime
Use the red “Write Us” button on the bottom of the page to send us a comment at your convenience.

Participate in Workshops
Throughout the Update process, the Housing Element Team will host workshops, online surveys, and more! These will be critical opportunities for you to provide guidance to the Housing Element Team. Please check the Participate page regularly and watch for announcements via the mailing list.

Attending public hearings
The Housing Element Update will be part of multiple City Council public meetings so there will be multiple opportunities to submit public comment.

Review Documents
The Housing Element Team will post all draft documents to the website. Please check the Documents page for all project deliverables and the Participate page for instructions on commenting.

Question 13

Why participate?

Accepted Answer

As part of the Housing Element Update, we are inviting residents to share their perspectives on housing needs, priorities, and challenges. Your participation is essential to shaping a plan that not only meets state requirements but also aligns with Blue Lake’s values, supports local goals, and results in housing solutions that truly fit the community.

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