Planning Documents
The Planning Department implements the General Plan utilizing a variety of tools through the application of zoning regulations. Traditional zoning, Specific Plans, Overlay Districts, and special use permits, such as Conditional Uses and Variances, all regulate the use of land in the City.
GENERAL PLAN
A General Plan is the local government’s long-term blueprint for the community’s vision of future growth. California law requires each local government to adopt a General Plan, which must contain at least seven elements: Land Use, Transportation, Housing, Conservation, Noise, Open Space and Safety.
- General Plan Draft Environmental Impact Report
- General Plan Final Environmental Impact Report
- General Plan Background Report
- Housing Element 2015-2023 with Background Report
HAYWARD MISSION BOULEVARD CORRIDOR FORM-BASED CODES
The Land Use Element of the Hayward General Plan (Chapter 2) describes how the City’s Planning Area is composed of certain neighborhood planning areas, including the Mission/Foothills and North Hayward neighborhoods. The General Plan further designates certain significant Focus Areas for the implementation of Smart Growth principles. The intent of the Code is to implement such principles along designated portions of the Hayward Mission Boulevard Corridor.
This Code carries out the policies of the Hayward General Plan by classifying and regulating the types and intensities of development and land uses within the Code area consistent with, and in furtherance of, the policies and objectives of the General Plan. These Codes are adopted to protect and promote the public health, safety, comfort, convenience, prosperity, and general welfare of the community.
On July 14, 2020, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 20-12 consolidating Hayward Municipal Code Chapter 24 (formerly South Hayward BART/Mission Boulevard Form Based Code) and 25 (formerly Mission Boulevard Form Based Code) into Article 24 reclassified as Mission Boulevard Corridor Code.
DESIGN GUIDELINES
Hayward’s adopted Design Guidelines provide specific guidance on architectural and site design for residential, commercial, industrial, and hillside development. The Guidelines are intended to preserve and enhance the desired character of existing neighborhoods while promoting architectural and design excellence in buildings, open space, landscape and public spaces. View the City’s adopted Design Guidelines at the links below:
- Industrial District Design Guidelines
- City of Hayward Design Guidelines
- Downtown Hayward Design Plan
- City of Hayward Hillside Design and Urban/Wildland Interface Guidelines
NEIGHBORHOOD PLANS
From 1987 through 1997, the City undertook the preparation of 16 Neighborhood Plans covering all residential and commercial areas of the city, with the exception of the Downtown area. Land use policies were established in the respective plans and strategies for neighborhood improvements and revitalization were developed and included in the plans linked below. The policies and strategies outlined in the individual Plans were incorporated into the Hayward 2040 General Plan therefore the following Plans are provided for historic context and context and background purposes only.
For currently applicable land use policies, standards and guidelines, please see the Hayward 2040 General Plan and Chapter 10, Planning, Zoning, and Subdivisions of the Hayward Municipal Code.
- Burbank Neighborhood Plan
- Cannery Area Design Plan
- Downtown Specific Plan
- Fairway Park Neighborhood Plan
- Glen Eden Neighborhood Plan
- Harder Tennyson Neighborhood Plan
- Hayward Highlands Neighborhood Plan
- Jackson Triangle Neighborhood Plan
- Longwood-Winton Grove Neighborhood Plan
- Mission Foothills Neighborhood Plan
- Mission-Garin Neighborhood Plan
- Mt. Eden Neighborhood Plan
- North Hayward Neighborhood Plan
- Santa Clara Neighborhood Plan
- Southgate Neighborhood Plan
- Tennyson-Alquire Neighborhood Plan
- Upper "B" Street Neighborhood Plan
- Whitman-Mocine Neighborhood Plan
- Neighborhood Plan
LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN
In 2015, the City began updating its Local Hazard Mitigation Plan to assess the City's exposure to natural hazards, analyze risk, and identify strategies that can be implemented before a disaster to keep the Hayward community safe. View the plan here:
