A city (or county) is not an accident but the result of coherent visions and aims

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Additional Data Sources for Equity and EJ 
• 
Census Data: 
 The United States Census collects data on a range of factors. The 
American Community Survey
 is conducted 
annually.
• 
Regional Opportunity Index, UC Davis Tool:
xxv
 
 This tool provides an index based on social, economic, and 
environmental indicators for review and analysis by local residents, program managers, and policy makers to inform 
investment decisions.
•  Local data: 
 Local data on amenities available.
• 
Envirostor:  
the Department of Toxic Substances Control hosts this program. It is a database that provides data in a GIS 
form to identify contaminated sites as well as facilities that deal with hazardous waste. 
• 
CalEnviroscreen:  
The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) in the California Environmental 
Protection Agency created this online mapping tool. It is a tool that can help identify communities that are burdened with 
high levels of pollution.
• 
California Environmental Health Tracking Program: 
 The California Department of Public Health created this 
online mapping tool. It is a tool that helps identify environmental risks associated with health outcomes such as poor air 
quality and asthma.
OPR Recommended Policies
These policies are an example of recommended policies adopted by varying jurisdictions, to be modified and used as appropriate. 
A full list of recommended policies and examples can be found 
here
.
Sample Policy
Example of Application
Relationship to Other Elements
[City, county] shall consider environmental justice issues 
as they are related to potential health impacts associated 
with land use decisions, including enforcement actions to 
reduce the adverse health effects of hazardous materials, 
industrial activity and other undesirable land uses, on 
residents regardless of age, culture, ethnicity, gender, race, 
socioeconomic status, or geographic location
National City
Healthy Community, Land Use
[City, county] shall concentrate commercial, mixed-use, 
and medium to high density residential development 
along transit corridors, at major intersections, and near 
activity centers that can be served efficiently by public 
transit and alternative transportation modes
National City
Land use, circulation, healthy communities
[City, county] shall encourage smoke free workplaces, 
multifamily housing, parks, and other outdoor gathering 
places to reduce exposure to second-hand smoke
National City
Healthy communities, housing
[City, county] shall consider environmental justice issues 
as they are related to the equitable provision of desirable 
public amenities such as parks, recreational facilities, 
community gardens, and other beneficial uses that im-
prove the quality of life
National City
Land use, open space, healthy communities

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Sample Policy
Example of Application
Relationship to Other Elements
[City, county] shall ensure that affected residents have the 
opportunity to participate in decisions that impact their 
health
Jurupa Valley
Healthy communities
[City, county] shall incentivize affordable housing through 
permit streamlining and financial incentives
Jurupa Valley
Housing, healthy communities

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Air Quality 
Introduction
Chronic exposure to air pollutants is a serious health risk to millions of California residents, particularly the young, elderly, 
and people with heart disease and respiratory problems. Safeguarding public health has been the primary focus of federal and 
state air quality legislation and activities for many years. Air pollution also impacts local economies by damaging agricultural 
crops, natural vegetation, buildings, and other exposed materials. In addition, the economic health of an area may be affected 
adversely if insufficient air quality improvement triggers more stringent federally mandated air pollution controls. Air pollution 
also can impair visibility and obscure views. Cities and counties should strive to reduce emissions for the benefit of both their 
own residents and those of other communities in their region and the state as a whole. Air quality can be greatly improved 
through a multi-prong approach. 
Local jurisdictions have responsibility for land use planning and can also significantly affect the design, creation, and 
management of development and the local circulation system. While air pollution is a regional issue, local governments 
have an opportunity to address air quality issues through general plans, development ordinances, local circulation systems, 
transportation services, and other plans and programs. As such, they are uniquely positioned to contribute to the local air 
district’s efforts to achieve and maintain compliance with state and federal air quality standards. Supporting mode shift through 
improved bicycle and pedestrian facilities and support for transit, building infrastructure for zero emission vehicles, reducing 
parking, and promoting infill development can help reduce emissions and improve air quality. Cities and counties within the 
San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD)
 jurisdiction are required by state law to include air quality measures 
in their general plans. The SJVAPCD developed the
 Air Quality Guidelines for General Plans
 to assist these cities and counties 
in meeting these requirements. The document provides additional goals, policies, and programs for adoption in general plans 
that will reduce vehicle miles traveled and improve air quality. In addition to statutory requirements for air quality measures 
in the San Joaquin Valley, cities and counties that have identified disadvantaged communities, as defined by 
SB 1000
, must 
also incorporate air quality into their general plans. For more information on the environmental justice requirements, see the 
EJ 
section. Regardless of statutory requirements, the benefits of adopting an air quality element or implementing air quality 
policies throughout a general plan are universal.
Government Code 65302.1(c):
The adoption of air quality amendments to a general plan to comply with the requirements of subdivision (d) shall include all 
of the following:
(1)  A report describing local air quality conditions including air quality monitoring data, emission inventories, lists of 
significant source categories, attainment status and designations, and applicable state and federal air quality plans and 
transportation plans.

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