Hawthorne, CA

What is a General Plan?

A General Plan is a community’s long-range planning document that identifies the community’s priorities and vision for the future. It is a “blueprint” for growth and development, usually with a minimum 20-year horizon, and is a framework for decision-making. California law requires each city and county to adopt a General Plan. Covering topics such as land use, housing, transportation, parks, safety, and sustainability, the General Plan reflects community values and priorities to shape a healthy, liveable, and economically resilient city.

Why is the City Updating the General Plan?

Hawthorne’s current General Plan was last updated comprehensively in 1990. It is outdated and does not reflect the community’s current needs, state requirements, or the opportunities emerging from new technologies and demographic shifts. Since the last comprehensive update, changes in housing demands, transportation modes, climate policy, and economic trends have created the need for a forward-looking plan that can better guide future decisions and investments.

Additionally, updating the General Plan gives Hawthorne the opportunity to engage residents and businesses in shaping the City’s future, align with recent and evolving State mandates and position the City for funding opportunities. A new General Plan will help Hawthorne proactively manage change, protect quality of life, and advance a shared vision for a more vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable community.

General Plan Update Introduction Video (Spanish Translation)

What is being updated?

California State law requires every city and county to adopt a General Plan that includes seven mandatory elements, as outlined in Government Code Section 65302. These elements are: Land Use, Circulation, Housing, Conservation, Open Space, Safety, and Noise. In addition, the Environmental Justice Element is required for jurisdictions with disadvantaged communities. Hawthorne has recently (2022) updated and adopted its Housing and Safety Elements and developed a new Environmental Justice Element. While the Housing Element will remain unchanged, the Safety and Environmental Justice Elements may be updated slightly to reflect new legislative requirements and align with other components of the General Plan. The City also has an existing Economic Development Element, which may either remain a standalone element or be integrated with other elements as the update process moves forward. Below is short summary of each element.

Land Use Element: Establishes the types, locations, and intensity of land uses—such as housing, businesses, parks, and public facilities—throughout the city.

Circulation Element: Plans for the movement of people and goods, including automobiles, public transit, bikeways, sidewalks, and connections between neighborhoods and destinations.

Housing Element: Identifies current and future housing needs and outlines policies and programs to provide housing for all income levels, as required by State law. The Housing Element was adopted in August 2022 and will not be changed during this update.

Conservation Element: Focuses on the preservation and management of natural resources like water, energy, air quality, wildlife, and cultural and historic assets.

Open Space Element: Protects and plans for parks, recreational areas, trails, natural habitats, and other open space areas that support health, ecology, and quality of life.

Safety Element: Addresses risks from natural and human-made hazards—such as earthquakes, flooding, wildfires, and climate change—and guides policies to enhance public safety and resilience.

Noise Element: Analyses current and future noise sources and includes strategies to reduce exposure to harmful or disruptive noise, especially near homes, schools, and hospitals.

Environmental Justice Element: Promotes equitable access to a healthy environment, safe housing, and economic opportunities, particularly for communities disproportionately impacted by pollution or underinvestment.

Economic Development Element: Outlines strategies to attract and retain businesses, support job creation, and strengthen the City’s economic base. It promotes a vibrant local economy that benefits residents, employers, and the community as a whole.

When Will the General Plan Updates be Completed?

The General Plan Update for Hawthorne will take approximately 3 years. The City will upload relevant documents from time to time under “Document Links” section of this webpage. The complete set of draft documents will be available for public review in the summer of 2027. This includes the General Plan document and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for 45 days. Please note that the schedule is an estimate based on current conditions and is subject to change depending on circumstances.

Community Engagement Calendar (Spanish Translation)

Get Involved!

Hawthorne wants to hear from you! Community input is essential to shaping a General Plan that reflects the values and priorities of Hawthorne residents. The public can get involved by attending in person and virtual workshops, youth workshops, and community meetings, taking online surveys, providing feedback on draft materials, and participating in pop-up events throughout the city. Opportunities will be widely advertised on this webpage under “Notices” section, social media, and through community organizations. Whether you live, work, go to school, or own a business in Hawthorne, your voice matters—help us plan for the city's future!

Check this webpage regularly for updates on upcoming events and opportunities to get involved. You can also follow the City on Facebook at City of Hawthorne - Government and on Instagram at @cityofhawthorneca for the latest news and announcements.

General Plan Community Workshop

Date: Tuesday, August 25, 2026

Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm

Location: Hawthorne Memorial Center

Room: Venus Room 

Address: 3901 W El Segundo Blvd, Hawthorne, CA 90250

English Flyer

Spanish Flyer

• General Plan Update Community Workshop Notification Flyer (English and Spanish)

• GPAC Meeting #5 Presentation Slides

Archived Document Links

To contact the project team for any information related to the General Plan, email planning@cityofhawthorne.org