GENERAL PLAN
ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT
REPORTING YEAR 2025
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................................3 COMPLIANCE WITH OPR GENERAL PLAN GUIDELINES ...........................................................4
COMPLIANCE WITH STATE LAW REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE GENERAL PLAN........................................................................................................................................6 GENERAL PLAN PROGRESS .................................................................................................................7 3 | P a g e
INTRODUCTION
The City of Anaheim was founded in 1857 and has grown from a small 1.8 square-mile farming community to Orange County’s most populous city at approximately 50 square miles. Anaheim’s General Plan was initially adopted in 1963 and its Charter in 1964. The City of Anaheim has placed a high value on making the community a great place to live, work, and visit. The vision, goals, and policies identified in City’s General Plan reflect the need for growth within the City, while also preserving open space and other natural resources. This General Plan Annual Progress Report (GP- APR) documents the City’s progress on implementing the General Plan for calendar year 2025 while also forecasting anticipated element updates and detailing compliance with statutory requirements.
The General Plan is a living document that is often updated to reflect policy changes and statutory requirements. In April 2025, the City approved a comprehensive General Plan Update that included zoning, land use, and circulation updates in response to the newly adopted 2021-2029 Housing Element.
The City of Anaheim’s General Plan, including a list of General Plan Amendments, is accessible on the City’s website at: https://www.anaheim.net/712/General-Plan. 4 | P a g e
COMPLIANCE WITH OPR GENERAL PLAN GUIDELINES
The City of Anaheim comprehensively updated the Anaheim General Plan in April 2025 in response to the newly adopted 2021-2029 Housing Element. The state has adopted new required elements through direct (statute) or indirect means (such as requiring new elements for funding/grant opportunities). The table below provides a summary of the City’s compliance with State of California General Plan Guidelines.
State
Elements
City Elements Status Notes
Circulation Circulation
Compliant;
Amendment
Approved
April 2025
The City’s Circulation Plan was updated and
adopted by City Council in April 2025, and
accommodates changes in transportation needs,
new technologies, and other projects such as the
City’s 2021-2029 Housing Element.
Conservation Green Element Compliant
The City is compliant with Conservation
Element requirements and continues to
monitor applicable State law for any future
updates.
Environmental
Justice/Air
Quality
Environmental
Justice
Compliant;
Element
Approved
April 2025
In compliance with Senate Bill 1000 (SB 1000),
the City adopted the Environmental Justice
Element in April 2025. Within the City of
Anaheim, 51 out of 75 census tracts fall under
the designation of a disadvantaged community.
Housing Housing
Compliant:
State-
Certified in
October
2025
In April 2025, the City Council adopted the 6th
Cycle Housing Element. In July 2025, HCD
issued a determination letter finding that the
City’s Housing Element in substantial
compliance with State Housing Element Law
and certified in October 2025.
Land Use Land Use
Compliant;
Amendment
Approved
April 2025
Through the update of the City’s Housing
Element, an update to certain sections of the
Land Use Element was conducted to allow for
additional housing opportunities. These
sections include the Land Use Plan, Land Use
Implementation Zones, and the residential and
non-residential buildout estimates.
Noise Noise Compliant The City is compliant with Noise
element requirements.
Open Space Green Element Compliant
The City is compliant with Open Space Element
requirements.
Safety Safety Compliant
The City Council adopted the updated Safety
Element on January 10, 2023, which is
compliant with State law requirements and
ensures eligibility for other State funding.
Not required Public Services and
Facilities Element
-
The City’s optional Public Services and
Facilities element ensures that equitable,
sustainable, and efficient growth occurs within
the City. This includes addressing level of
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service issues related to service providers
(water, sewer, trash, etc.), public safety, and
physical facilities.
Not required Growth Management
Element
-
This optional element was required for the City
to receive funds for transportation
improvements under Measure M. The element
also implements applicable goals of the Orange
County Congestion Management Plan.
Not required
Economic
Development
Element
-
The Economic Development Element is not a
State-mandated element, but the City of
Anaheim has long recognized the importance
of economic development plans in helping to
ensure the quality of life within its community.
This element is related to the Land Use,
Circulation, Public Services and Facilities, and
Green Elements, and has provided a business-
friendly blueprint that allows small and large
businesses to flourish in Anaheim.
Not required Community
Design Element
-
The City’s optional Community Design
Element provides guidance for development in
the City and creates a strong community
identity for a large and diverse area. In April
2025, the City adopted Objective Design
Standards based upon Community Design
Element policy.
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COMPLIANCE WITH STATE LAW REQUIREMENTS FOR THE
ADMINISTRATION OF THE GENERAL PLAN
Environmental Justice
According to the map below generated by CalEPA, the City of Anaheim does contain SB 535 Disadvantaged Communities. In compliance with SB 1000, the City Council adopted the Environmental Justice Element in April 2025. The Environmental Justice Element can be viewed at https://www.anaheim.net/DocumentCenter/View/64955/.
SB535 Disadvantaged Communities
Figure: California Climate Investments to Benefit Disadvantaged Communities | CalEPA Military Lands and Facilities
There are no Military Lands or Facilities within Anaheim city limits.
Consultation with Native American Tribes
The City of Anaheim completes the required tribal consultation process consistent with State law during the approval process for development projects to identify locations that may contain archeological and tribal resources.
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GENERAL PLAN PROGRESS
Project Progress
The City continues to implement the Anaheim General Plan. The below projects demonstrate General Plan progress and provide specific excerpts of goals and policies that are complementary to the projects. This list is not meant to be exhaustive or all inclusive.
RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
APPROVED IN 2025
Broadway & Magnolia (Meritage Homes): In May 2025, the Planning Commission approved a Tentative Tract Map to create a condominium map for the construction of 53 single-family attached townhomes. This project included 3 very-low income units.
Ball Road Senior Living Facility: In November 2025, the Planning Commission approved a Conditional Use Permit for a senior living facility (large) on a 0.16-acre commercial property. This facility would serve up to 10 residents and would provide 24-hour care.
Tampico Motel Conversion: In 2025, the Planning and Building Director approved the conversion of the existing Tampico Motel to a 32-unit permanent and supportive housing use.
Related General Plan Goals and Policies
1. Land Use Element
Goal 2.1: Continue to provide a variety of quality housing opportunities to address the City’s diverse housing needs.
Policy 2.1.1: Facilitate new residential development on vacant and underutilized infill parcels. Policy 2.1.2: Facilitate new residential development in The Platinum Triangle and Downtown. Policy 2.1.3: Facilitate the conversion of the City’s underutilized strip commercial areas into new housing opportunity sites.
Policy 2.1.4: Encourage a mix of quality housing opportunities in employment-rich and transit accessible locations.
Policy 5.1.2: Facilitate the development of residential land uses into mixed-use areas to provide a consumer and employment base for commercial and office uses. Policy 5.1.4: Promote development that is efficient, pedestrian-friendly, and served by a variety of transportation options.
Goal 6.1: Enhance the quality of life and economic vitality in Anaheim through strategic infill development and revitalization of existing development. Goal 7.1: Address the jobs-housing relationship by developing housing near job centers and transportation facilities.
Policy 7.1.3: Promote new residential development within Downtown, The Platinum Triangle, and other mixed-use districts, in accordance with the Land Use Plan.
2. Growth Management Element
Goal 1.1: Provide a balance of housing options and job opportunities throughout the City. Policy 1.1.4: Facilitate the transition of underutilized mid-block strip commercial development to residential or other appropriate land uses.
Policy 1.4.2: Encourage high density and/or mixed-use development along major transit corridors and/or at transit stops.
3. Community Design Element
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Goal 1.1: Create an aesthetically pleasing and unified community appearance within the context of distinct districts and neighborhoods.
Policy 3.1.3: Require new and infill development to be of compatible scale, materials, and massing as existing development.
Policy 3.1.11: Encourage a variety of architectural style, massing, floor plans, façade treatment and elevations to create visual interest.
Goal 4.1: Multiple-family housing is attractively designed and scaled to complement the neighborhood and provides visual interest through varied architectural detailing.
4. Economic Development Element
Goal 6.3: Create major, mixed-use regional center in The Platinum Triangle providing employment, shopping, entertainment, and housing for residents, employees, and visitors. Policy 6.3.3: Introduce large-scale residential development to provide a market for growing retail and office uses in the area.
Policy 6.4.3: Encourage mixed-use development incorporating ground-floor retail and high quality architecture that is consistent with the historic nature of the area.
OTHER MAJOR PROJECTS
APPROVED OR COMPLETED IN 2025
Porsche Dealership: In April 2025, the City Council approved a disposition and Development Agreement for a City-owned property at Lincoln and Manchester Avenues for the future development of a Porsche car dealership. In December 2025, the Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit for an automotive vehicle sales and repair facility to construct the dealership for Porche. This project will enhance an underutilized portion of vacant land with a high-quality architectural building and use that will promote jobs and an increase in sales tax.
Related General Plan Goals/Policies:
Land Use Policy 9.1.5: Maintain and enforce development standards and Community Design Element policies and guidelines that promote high quality development. Economic Development Policy 1.1.2: Continue to market and promote redevelopment project areas and business districts throughout the City.
Economic Development Goal 1.3: Attract businesses through an efficient development approval process.
Growth Management Policy 1.3.1: Encourage development of vacant and underutilized infill sites where public services and infrastructure are available or can be efficiently accommodated.
OCVIBE Assembly Hall: In December 2025, the Planning Commission approved a final site plan and minor amendment to the OCVIBE Master Site Plan to construction a sixteen-story, 320 room hotel with accessory uses include restaurants, entertainment venues, and over 100,000 square feet of outdoor terrace and garden spaces for the South Plaza project in an area of the Honda Center that is currently used as a surface parking lot.
Related General Plan Goals/Policies:
Land Use Goal 5.1: Create and enhance dynamic, identifiable places for the benefit of Anaheim residents, employees, and visitors.
Land Use Policy 5.1.4: Promote development that is efficient, pedestrian-friendly, and served by a variety of transportation options
Land Use Goal 15.1: Establish The Platinum Triangle as a thriving economic center that provides residents, visitors and employees with a variety of housing, employment, shopping and entertainment opportunities that are accessed by arterial highways, transit systems and pedestrian promenades.
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Economic Development Goal 6.3: Create major, mixed-use regional center in The Platinum Triangle providing employment, shopping, entertainment, and housing for residents, employees, and visitors.
Economic Development Policy 6.4.3: Encourage mixed-use development incorporating ground- floor retail and high quality architecture that is consistent with the historic nature of the area.
OC River Walk: In 2025, the City certified the Environmental Impact Report for the OC River Walk project. The OC River Walk Conceptual Master Plan consists of various multi-purpose improvements to transform the Santa Ana River corridor and portions of the existing Santa Ana River Trail to modify the riverbanks and create pedestrian bridges, enhance existing trails and create new trails, and create enhanced outdoor recreation amenities (seating, play areas, plazas, water access, etc.).
Related General Plan Goals/Policies:
Land Use Policy 1.1.3: Encourage future development to provide functional public spaces that foster social interaction.
Land Use Goal 5.1: Create and enhance dynamic, identifiable places for the benefit of Anaheim residents, employees, and visitors.
Circulation Goal 2: Support bicycling, walking, and other active transportation modes. Green Element 4.1: Maximize the recreational and scenic potential of existing reservoirs, basins, and waterways.
Public Services and Facilities Goal 14.1: Provide attractive public spaces that enhance the City’s image, safety and economic vitality.
Anaheim Tourism and Improvement District (ATID) Funding for Housing: In December 2025, the City Council approved a resolution and ordinance enacting changes to the Anaheim Tourism and Improvement District (ATID) to include workforce housing as an area of funding along with tourism marketing, transportation, and other improvements within The Resort area. ATID is a district of hotels that funds tourism and improvements in The Anaheim Resort through an assessment of 2% on hotel stays. This action created the ATID Housing Committee and directed 9% of ATID assessments to fund affordable housing for hospitality workers through the Anaheim Local Housing Trust Fund, which the City launched for affordable housing communities, emergency rent assistance, and first-time homebuyer support.
Related General Plan Goals/Policies:
Land Use Goal 2.1: Continue to provide a variety of quality housing opportunities to address the City’s diverse housing needs.
Economic Development Goal 5.1: Expand housing opportunities for all economic segments of the community.
Growth Management Goal 1.1: Provide a balance of housing options and job opportunities throughout the City.
Environmental Justice Goal 4.1.2: Continue to provide regulatory incentives to promote the construction of new affordable rental and homeownership opportunities for low-income households.
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Olympic Game Agreement: In April 2025, it was announced by the International Olympic Committee and International Paralympic Committee that the Anaheim Honda Center will be the host court for indoor volleyball for the 2028 Summer Olympics. In October 2025, the City Council approved a Games Agreement to establish principles and commitments for the City’s participation as a venue city and a framework for how the City and Olympics committee will work together to coordinate the games, including the enhancement of facilities and promotion for the event, as well as streamlining of any necessary zoning approvals.
Related General Plan Goals/Policies:
Growth Management Policy 2.2.3: Continue to coordinate with other jurisdictions through the Inter-Jurisdictional Planning Forums to evaluate the major land use and transportation issues within the Growth Management Areas.
Land Use Goal 15.1: Establish The Platinum Triangle as a thriving economic center that provides residents, visitors and employees with a variety of housing, employment, shopping and entertainment opportunities that are accessed by arterial highways, transit systems and pedestrian promenades.
Economic Development Goal 1.1: Continue and expand the City’s marketing and promotional campaign.
Economic Development Policy 1.1.1: Promote The Platinum Triangle as a unique and special urban place where a wide variety of people come together to work, live, shop and recreate.
Land Acquisition and Funding for New Fire Station: In 2025, the City Council approved a resolution declaring the City’s intent to use the property at 1251 West Lincoln Avenue for the use of a future fire station. In addition, the City Council approved additional funds for the Anaheim Fire and Rescue budget for the construction of the station and renovations and enhancements to other fire stations throughout the City.
Related General Plan Goals/Policies:
Growth Management Goal 3.1: Ensure the adequate provision of police, fire, library, parks and recreation, school, flood control and other public services and facilities as development occurs in “developing” areas of the City.
Safety Policy 6.1.7: Appropriately locate and coordinate emergency services including fire, police, and ambulance services to provide responsive services across the entire community. Public Services and Facilities Goal 1.1: Provide sufficient staffing, equipment and facilities to ensure effective fire protection, emergency medical and rescue services, permitting and fire inspection, and hazardous material response services that keep pace with growth.
Sidewalk Removal and Replacement: The Public Works Department continued the removal and replacement of arterial sidewalks at various locations throughout the City.
Related General Plan Goals/Policies:
Circulation Goal 3.1: Provide a well-maintained street system. Circulation Policy 3.1.3: Prioritize maintenance and reconstruction projects. Circulation Goal 8.1: Protect and encourage pedestrian travel. Circulation Policy 8.1.1: Encourage and improve pedestrian facilities that link development to the circulation network and that serve as a transition between other modes of travel.
Park Improvements: Various parks throughout the community received improvements to the play structures and other recreational activities including new play equipment at Maxwell Park and Boysen Park.
Related General Plan Goals/Policies:
Economic Development Policy 2.1.4: Continue to provide civic uses—parks, libraries, and community centers— which provide key services for residents. 11 | P a g e
Green Element Goal 18.1: Provide sufficient indoor and outdoor park, recreation, and community service opportunities for existing and future residents and employees. Green Element Policy 19.1.1: Provide a wide variety of recreational facilities, in both active and passive areas of parks, to satisfy diverse needs and activities. Green Element Policy 19.1.2: Design and redesign parks to reflect the latest recreational features, responsive to population trends and community needs.
FY 2025-2026 City Budget: The City’s approved budget includes funding for the enhancement and development of City parks, enhanced equipment and staffing for Police and Fire departments, tree trimming in public rights-of-way and City-owned property, and various Capital Improvement Projects including replacement of sidewalks, coordination of traffic signals Citywide, and improved landscaping.
Related General Plan Goals/Policies:
Circulation Policy 1.1.8: Continue Capital Improvement Program funding processes for transportation improvement based on the most recent level of service and traffic accident data to balance safety, mobility, and access.
Noise Element Policy 2.1.4: Maintain roadways so that the paving is in good condition to reduce noise-generating cracks, bumps, and potholes.
Public Services and Facilities Goal 1.1: Provide sufficient staffing, equipment, and facilities to ensure effective fire protection, emergency medical and rescue services, permitting and fire inspection, and hazardous material response services that keep pace with growth. Public Service and Facilities Policy 1.1.1: Maintain adequate resources to enable the Fire Department to meet response time standards, keep pace with growth, and provide high levels of service.
Code Streamlining and Online Plan Review: The Planning Department continues to conduct an annual review of the Zoning Code to ensure that all Code requirements are compliant with State law and proposes changes to certain Code requirements to ensure consistency throughout all City documents. In 2025, the City updated the Code for recent changes to State law in relation to ADUs, as well as adopted Objective Design Standards. The Building Department has continued to update the online permitting system, allowing applicants to submit additional plans online (previously only solar and small residential projects) and have staff review and provide comments electronically.
Related General Plan Goals/Policies:
Economic Development Element Policy 1.3.2: Continue to enhance user-friendly permit assistance activities.
Economic Development Element Policy 1.3.3: Periodically review and update Zoning Code provisions to address the latest development trends.
FEMA Community Rating System: In fall of 2025, staff submitted re-verification documentation of the City’s participation in the Community Rating System (CRS) Program to FEMA. This program allows property owners to receive a reduction in flood insurance if the City maintains a certain rating based on community programs, outreach, Code requirements, review of development plans in the Special Flood Hazard Areas, maintenance of flood channels, etc.
Related General Plan Goals/Policies:
Green Element Policy 7.1.1: Ensure compliance with Federal Clean Water Act requirements for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits, including developing and requiring the development of WQMPs for all new development and significant redevelopment in the City.
Green Element Policy 7.1.6: Provide public education information and outreach materials regarding proper materials handling practices to assist residents and businesses in complying with surface water quality regulations and to increase awareness of potential impacts to the environment resulting from improper containment or disposal practices. 12 | P a g e
Safety Element Policy 3.1.2: Continue to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program. Safety Element Policy 3.1.4: Encourage properties prone to flooding or creating new flooding conditions to incorporate flood safe design elements and appropriate setbacks to reduce flood damage potential.