Hayward will be a distinct and desirable community known for its central Bay Area location, vibrant Downtown, sustainable neighborhoods, excellent schools, robust economy, and its growing reputation as a great college town.  With a variety of clean, safe, and green neighborhoods, and an accessible network of parks and natural open space, Hayward will be home to one of the most diverse, inclusive, educated, and healthy populations in the Bay Area.  It will be a destination for life-long learning, entertainment, arts and culture, recreation, and commerce.  It will be a communit

I'm a Developer

Developers and real estate brokers working in Hayward and property owners looking to invest in or sell property should use the General Plan to gain an understanding of challenges and opportunities related to land use and economic development within the city. Ultimately, the City’s other regulatory documents and processes, such as specific plans, area plans, form-based codes, the Zoning Ordinance, and design guidelines are required to be consistent with the General Plan.

I'm a Business Owner

For Hayward businesses and employees, the General Plan Update contains actions that the City will take to help support local business, expand and diversify the local economy, and create new, high-paying jobs. Economic development is designed to increase individual wealth, create employment opportunities, and generate revenues for the City. In the aftermath of the Great Recession, the City, through the General Plan, is positioning itself to be ready for new opportunities that emerge during the recovery.

I'm a Resident

The General Plan lays out a long-term strategy for the type of community Hayward will be when today’s children and teens are adults. For young adults the General Plan helps create unique places for living, working, and socializing. For families, the General Plan supports safe, family-oriented neighborhoods, accessible parks and recreation activities, and a coordinated education system. Finally, the General Plan identifies the types of housing, services, and amenities available to seniors and the elderly to age in place and have a fulfilling and active lifestyle.

The Hayward 2040 General Plan is intended for use by a variety of individuals and organizations, including residents, businesses, developers, City staff, the City Council, and appointed boards and commissions.  The web-based format of the General Plan allows users to search key words to quickly find topics of interest and to identify and review all related goals, policies, and implementation measures.  This feature provides a high-level of convenience for users.  However, it does have the potential to provide users with a narrow understanding of the full scope and breadth of

What is the Hayward 2040 General Plan? 

The Hayward 2040 General Plan establishes a community-based vision for the future of Hayward, and establishes goals, policies and implementation programs to help the City and greater Hayward community achieve that vision.  The General Plan is the City’s overarching planning document and provides a blueprint for growth and development by setting land use policy citywide.  The General Plan consists of two documents: the Background Report and the Policy Document.  The Background Report provides a comprehensive overview of the