What is the Safety Element?

The Safety Element of the City of Encinitas General Plan is required by State law to identify community safety risks and establish goals, policies, and programs to safeguard residents and businesses from those risks. Safety risks posing the greatest local threat include fire hazards, geologic risks, flooding, and climate change. Other topics addressed in the Safety Element include emergency preparedness, hazardous materials and waste, evacuation constraints, shoreline protection and how the City of Encinitas should respond to sea level rise. The Safety Element was last updated by the City in 1995. Specific portions of the Safety Element are a component of the City’s Local Coastal Program (“LCP”) which are identified by the backshading, or highlighting, in the 1995 Public Safety Element.

Why update the Safety Element?

The City is mandated by Government Code Section 65302(g)(3) to update the Safety Element in conjunction with any Housing Element update, or upon the update of the next Hazard Mitigation Plan. The City’s 5th Cycle Housing Element (2013-2021) ended in 2021, so the City must review and update it's Safety Element. Additionally, the City is in the process of updating it's Hazard Mitigation Plan with the County of San Diego through the Multi-jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan. Specific components of the Safety Element are a part of the City's Local Coastal Program (LCP), and a local coastal program amendment will also occur with the update to the Safety Element. 

The Public Review Draft of the Safety Element was available for review and comment from November 18, 2022 to January 18, 2023. 

A public workshop was held on December 7, 2022 starting at 6:00 PM in the Poinsettia Room at City Hall to discuss the updates made to the Safety Element and to receive public input on the draft document.

The Environmental Commission received a presentation and update on the draft Safety Element on February 9, 2023. Click here to view the agenda.

The California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection approved the draft Safety Element on April 4, 2023. Click here to view the agenda.

The Planning Commission recommended adoption of the draft Safety Element to the City Council on April 20, 2023. Click here to view the public notice. Click here to view the agenda report.

The City Council received a presentation and opened a public hearing on the draft Safety Element on June 14, 2023. Click here to view the agenda report.

The City Council continued the public hearing to August 9, 2023. Click here to view the agenda report.

The City Council adopted the Safety Element on August 9, 2023. Click here to view the adopted Safety Element.

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