About the Project
Lake Havasu City is updating its 2016 General Plan, and we want you to be part of the process! The 2026 General Plan (GPU) has been named Lake Havasu City General Plan: Shaping our Future! A general plan is a long-term vision for the community's future, guiding decisions on growth, development, infrastructure, and quality of life. Your input will help shape Lake Havasu City's future!
Frequently Asked Questions
A general plan is a document that lays out the long-term aspirations for a community, articulates its vision, and guides the physical, economic, and social development decisions of community leaders, residents, and businesses.
The development of the General Plan is required by State Statute (Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) § 9-461.05) with guidance and direction from the community. Through the planning process, the city will educate, listen, ask questions, and integrate public feedback into the GPU that ultimately addresses the community's vision for Lake Havasu City.
For more information, see the informational brochure on the resources tab.
This effort to update the prior General Plan, adopted in 2016, will re-evaluate the community’s values and preferences for the future. The GPU will reflect the aspects of Lake Havasu City that the community wants to keep while allowing for adaptation to new trends, industries, and challenges.
The development of the General Plan is required by State Statute (Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) § 9-461.05) with guidance and direction from the community. Through the planning process, the city will educate, listen, ask questions, and integrate public feedback into the GPU that ultimately addresses the topics that the community cares most about. Additionally ARS § 9-461.06 requires specific topics must be addressed based on a community's population and growth rate. Lake Havasu City’s General Plan will address the following 17 topics:
Land Use
Circulation
Open Space
Growth Areas
Environmental Planning
Cost of Development
Water Resources
Conservation
Recreation
Public Services and Facilities
Public Buildings
Housing
Conservation, Rehabilitation, and Redevelopment
Safety
Bicycling
Energy
Neighborhood Preservation and Revitalization
The GPU will do neither. The general plan articulates future land use designations to which future rezonings must conform. These designations may not be consistent with a property's existing zoning or land use. Adoption of the plan, in and of itself, does not equate to or result in property tax increases.
Contact Us
Chris Gilbert
Planning Division Manager/Zoning Administrator
E-mail Us
(928) 453-4148
Project Timeline
Launch
This phase sets the project's foundation with a presentation to the City Council and the launch of the official project website, which will serve as a hub for project updates and engagement opportunities.
Discover
The 'Discover' phase will focus on establishing committees and cohorts that will guide the project. These groups will provide critical input at each stage of the project. This phase will also produce a baseline for existing conditions within the City to act as a starting point for major project elements.
Envision
This phase marks the beginning of robust community engagement. Engagement will occur across several events, including community listening sessions, a community workshop, the launch of Questionnaire #1, pop-up events, and recurring meetings with the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council.
Build
This phase expands community engagement initiatives of the previous phase through the launch of Questionnaire #2 and the beginning of plan drafting, in addition to recurring activities from the 'Envision' phase.
Celebrate
This phase signifies the conclusion of the project and includes the release of the public draft to the community for comment and final input, open house meetings through the community, and final Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council meetings.