Please reach us at lbrotherton@shn-engr.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
The Safety Element is part of the County’s General Plan that focuses on keeping people and communities safe from disasters.
Its goal is to reduce the risk of injury, loss of life, property damage, and disruption caused by hazards like earthquakes, wildfires, flooding, and other emergencies.
It looks at topics such as:
The Safety Element helps the County plan ahead by identifying risks and creating policies to reduce them. These policies guide decisions about new development, land use, and emergency planning to make the community safer and more resilient.
The current Safety Element was published in 2003 with the General Plan Update.
See the "Documents" tab for the current Safety Element.
The Safety Element works together with other parts of the County’s General Plan to guide how land is used and developed.
For example, areas that are prone to hazards such as flooding may be planned for lower risk uses like open space or agriculture when possible. The Safety Element helps ensure that safety risks are considered in these decisions.
It is closely connected to other General Plan sections including Natural Resources and Conservation, Land Use and Community Development, Housing, Recreation and Cultural Resources, Scenic Resources, Public Facilities and Services, and Transportation and Circulation. Together, these sections help the County plan for safe, sustainable, and resilient communities.
Increased risk to people and property
Not updating the Safety Element means decisions may rely on outdated hazard information. This can lead to development in higher risk areas and reduce the community’s ability to prepare for and recover from disasters.
Compliance with State Law
In California, jurisdictions are required to keep their General Plan, including the Safety Element, up to date. If it becomes outdated or inconsistent with current laws and hazard data, the General Plan can be considered out of compliance.
Reduced eligibility for funding
Some state and federal grants for hazard mitigation, emergency preparedness, and disaster recovery may require up to date planning documents. An outdated Safety Element can limit access to these funding opportunities
You can participate by attending an upcoming community meeting or workshop. Visit the “Participate” tab on this website for event details and updates.
A survey will also be posted soon to gather community feedback and help guide the planning and development of the Safety Element.
Your input helps the County better understand local hazards and how they affect the community.
By participating, you can share your experiences, concerns, and priorities. This helps shape policies, goals, and actions that aim to reduce risk, improve emergency planning, and support faster recovery after disasters.
The Safety Element update is being prepared by a team of County staff in collaboration with planning consultants from SHN Engineering.
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