Purpose of the Urban Limit Line

The Urban Limit Line establishes a boundary beyond which no new urban land uses can be designated in order to: 

• Protect open space and agricultural land;

• Prevent sprawl and inefficient use of land that creates traffic, greenhouse gas emissions, and pollution;

• Focus development where infrastructure and services already exist or are planned ; and

• Maintain the 65/35 Land Preservation Standards, which limits urban land use designations to no more than 35% of the county. 

Background

• In 1990, Contra Costa County voters approved the Urban Limit Line (ULL), which limits urban development to certain areas of the County and helps to preserve farmland and open space. In 2006 County voters passed Measure L, which extended the term of the ULL through 2026 and required a 2016 review to determine whether enough capacity existed inside the ULL to accommodate jobs and housing growth through 2036.

https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/6357/2016-Urban-Limit-Line-Review

Current Status of Urban Limit Line Review

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors has initiated work on a 2026 ballot measure to renew the County’s Urban Limit Line.

https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/6357/2016-Urban-Limit-Line-Review

The Urban Limit Line, established by Measure C in 1990, prevents sprawl and preserves open space by establishing a boundary beyond which no urban land uses can be designated. It ensures that urban development occurs within established communities where infrastructure and services already exist or are planned.

Purpose of the Urban Limit Line (ULL)

• Protects open space and agricultural land

• Prevents sprawl and inefficient use of land that creates traffic, GHG emissions, and pollution

• Focuses development where infrastructure and services already exist or are planned

• Integral to maintaining the 65/35 Land Preservation Standard, which limits urban land use designations to no more than 35% of the county

Proposed adjustments to the Urban Limit Line are detailed in a report County staff presented to the Board of Supervisors on February 25th, 2025. 

Proposed Schedule and Next Steps

• March-May 2025: Staff seeks feedback from the public, cities, MACs, and CPC

• June/July 2025: Staff presents above feedback and draft ballot measure to Board of Supervisors and receives direction

• February 2026 (sooner, if possible):  Board of Supervisors hearing to consider placing ULL renewal measure on ballot for June 2, 2026, Primary Election

You can view the report and the accompanying maps below or on the Envision Contra Costa website.

Your comments are welcome on the proposed adjustments.

Please send questions and comments to Will Nelson at advanceplanning@dcd.cccounty.us.

Comments received by 5:00 PM on June 2nd will be addressed in a follow-up report to the Board of Supervisors anticipated for June or July.

Additional Information:

• Urban Limit Line Renewal Materials Staff report for the 2/25/2025 Board of Supervisors meeting

• Presentation for the 2/25/2025 Board of Supervisors meeting

• Urban Limit Line renewal map series

View the proposed Urban Limit Line adjustments on CCMAP by turning on the layer titled “2-25-25 Draft County Urban Limit Line”

• Maps (50-pages) – click here

• Presentation — click here

https://contracosta.news/2025/03/14/contra-costa-county-urban-limit-line-renewal/