Community Development
The Community Development Department is responsible for long range planning of land use, circulation systems and infrastructure, in addition to the review of development proposals to ensure compliance with City policies and regulations.
2025 Updated State Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps
The establishment of Local Response Area (LRA) Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) was a result of the 1991 Oakland Hills Fire. The map was revised in 2007 and again in 2024, with its release on February 24, 2025 in accordance with Government Code 51178. In the current version the LRA is broken down into 3 categories: Moderate, High, and Very High. The creation of the current map is based on new science, ember spread and local climate data. The modeling looks at the probability of an area burning and expected fire behavior under extreme fuel and weather conditions and identifies the “Hazard” level in each geographical area.
The City of Pleasanton is required under Government Code 51178.5 to make the maps available for public review and comment, and shall designate by ordinance their Moderate, High, and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone within 120 days of receiving the State Fire Marshal recommendations per Government Code 51179.
Below is the City of Pleasanton’s Moderate, High, and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map as received by the California State Fire Marshal. The city is accepting the map as published. The maps will be presented at the April 15th Council Meeting. The community can make public comments at the meeting or by going to FHSZ Map Comments. Still have questions, reach out to Kim Colantuono, Assistant Fire Marshal with Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department at [email protected].
Click here to review the City of Pleasanton’s Moderate, High, and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map.
An interactive version of the Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps for the entire State is also available and can be used to browse parcel-specific information for Pleasanton and other areas.
Short-Range Projects
P24-0596 Zoning Administrator Report
The link below provides a summary and update on notable development projects, long-range planning efforts and transportation planning projects in the city.
A map is included in the PDF for reference (city-wide projects are not shown). These projects are also shown on our interactive map.
Long-Range Projects
Housing Element Update
The Housing Element is the primary tool used by the State to ensure local governments are appropriately planning for and accommodating enough housing across all income levels. Accordingly, it provides the City with an opportunity to assess its housing needs and to develop policies and actions that effectively respond to those needs. The Housing Element is a mandatory part of the City’s General Plan but must be updated every 8 years and must also be reviewed and approved (i.e., certified) by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to ensure compliance with statutory requirements. Certification also ensures that the City remains eligible for various State and federal funding sources.
The 6th Cycle Housing Element covers the planning period 2023-2031 and has been certified by HCD and adopted by City Council. The documents are available here:
Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) – January 2023
Draft Program Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) – October 2022
DEIR Appendices – October 2022
Stoneridge Mall Framework
The City of Pleasanton has begun the process to develop a Framework Plan for the Stoneridge Shopping Center, also known as the Stoneridge Mall. The focus of the Framework is the mall properties that lie within the area bounded by Stoneridge Mall Road and contain the Mall buildings and surrounding parking lots.
The Stoneridge Mall Framework Components, adopted January 26, 2023, provides a conceptual land use and circulation plan and policy guidance for future development/redevelopment of the Shopping Center that considers the integration and distribution of new residential and commercial land uses with existing retail uses.
To learn more and sign up for email updates, please visit https://www.vmwp.com/projects/stoneridge-mall-framework/
Codes, Guidelines and Plans
Pleasanton Municipal Code
California Building Code
General Plan 2005-2025
The General Plan guides long-range land development and resource conservation, bridging the community’s values and the City’s development decision-making. It is the key document with which all other city ordinances and policies must be consistent.
Specific Plans
Specific plans function as tools for implementing the City’s General Plan.
- Bernal Property
- Downtown
- East Pleasanton
- Happy Valley
- North Sycamore
- Stoneridge Drive
- Tri-Valley Hazard Mitigation Plan
- Vineyard Avenue
Guidelines & Standards
- Downtown Design Guidelines – amended August 20, 2019
- Downtown Hospitality Guidelines – amended August 20, 2019
- Estates on Oak Ridge Design Guidelines
- Hacienda TOD Standards & Design Guidelines
- Housing Site Development Standards & Design Guidelines
- Landscape Ordinance
- Objective Design Standards
The City of Pleasanton has adopted objective design standards (ODS) for residential development, including:
Zoning Information
- Identify Property Zoning via Search or Map
- To identify the zoning on a property, enter an assessor parcel number, a street name, or click on the map below.
View Parcel Zoning Map
Disclaimer: The City of Pleasanton does not guarantee the accuracy, adequacy, completeness or usefulness of any information, and provides this information on an “as is” basis without any warranty of any kind, including but not limited to warranties of merchantibility or fitness for a particular purpose, and assumes no responsibility for use of the information.
- To identify the zoning on a property, enter an assessor parcel number, a street name, or click on the map below.
- Site Development Standards
- New Business License
Ellen Clark
Director of Community Development
Ellen Clark has been with the City of Pleasanton since 2017 as Planning Manager/Deputy Director of Community Development and was named as Director of Community Development in 2019. She oversees the Planning, Building, Code Enforcement, Traffic and Housing Divisions with Community Development, which collectively work to maintain and implement the City’s General Plan and other key long-range planning documents, manage land use and development permitting activity, ensure a well-operating transportation system and provide affordable housing programs and services.
Ellen holds a BA (Honors) in Geography from the University of Cambridge, England and is accredited by the American institute of Certified Planners. She has worked in the community development and planning field for 23 years, including 16 years working for California municipalities. Her career has focused on development and implementation of numerous comprehensive and community plans, management of major development project entitlements and oversight of a broad range of community development-related projects and initiatives, all with high value placed on community engagement, application of sound planning and design principles and above all, a focus on creating great communities that she brings to her work for the City of Pleasanton.
Administration Hours
Community Development
200 Old Bernal Avenue
Pleasanton, CA 94566
Phone: (925) 931-5300
Permit Center In-Person Hours
| Monday, Tuesday, Thursday | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. |
| Friday | Closed |
Phone and Email Services:
Available Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Contact us by filling out the form below: