MV2040 General Plan

MV2040The General Plan is the link between the expressed values and vision of the community and the resulting public process and decision-making that affect the physical, social, environmental and economic character of the community.

State law requires a General Plan include seven subject areas with goals, policies and programs for implementation. MV2040 includes the required subject areas of land use, circulation, housing, open space, conservation, noise and safety, as well as other subjects that were identified as important components of the community including community vitality, arts and culture, climate action and sustainability. MV2040 was adopted October 2013 with amendments as noted.

MV2040 Documents

  1. Cover, Forward, Acknowledgements, Table of Content, Introduction (PDF)
  2. Land Use (PDF): Categories and Map (PDF) (amended March 2016) Text Amendments (PDF) (amended May 2023); Land Use Map Amendments (PDF) (amended May 2023)
  3. Mobility (PDF) (amended March 2016)
  4. Community Vitality (PDF)
  5. Natural Environment (PDF)
  6. Climate Action (PDF) Note: this section is currently being updated. See the Climate Action Update page for details.
  7. Hazards and Public Safety (PDF)
  8. Noise (PDF)
  9. General Plan Administration (PDF)
  10. Citations and Appendices (PDF)
  11. 2015-2023 Housing Element Volume 1 (PDF); Volume 2/Appendices (PDF)  2023-2031 Housing Elemen: Redline Version (LINK) (adpoted May 2023): Accepted Edits Version (LINK) (Adopted May 2023) See the Housing Element Update page for details. Currently pending HCD certification.
  12. Certified Environmental Impact Report (PDF); Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (PDF); Response to Comments (PDF)

General Plan Goals

The two primary goals of the General Plan remain the same as established in the 1989 General Plan, and are:

  1. To protect and enhance the natural beauty and small town character of Mill Valley; and
  2. To encourage continued diversity of housing, income levels and lifestyles in the community. The General Plan community values are intended to guide the overall framework and decision making for the General Plan, and have been updated based on community input and feedback from the General Plan Advisory Committee.

Mill Valley Community Values

  • Maintaining a strong, healthy economy that supports locally owned and local serving businesses;
  • Prudent municipal fiscal policies and practices and operational excellence by city officials and employees;
  • Managing and restoring the scenic quality and physical character of the bayfront, ridgelines and hillsides for open space, resource protection and outdoor recreation;
  • Preserving and enhancing creeks, marshes, woodlands and other natural resources for the health of habitat and natural species, and the use and enjoyment of current and future generations;
  • Fostering sustainable policies and practices that enhance climate protection and adapt to climate change;
  • Minimizing traffic congestion and encouraging safe and convenient mobility alternatives;
  • Planning, preparing, adapting and responding to natural and human-made disasters;
  • Accommodating more housing choice for all income levels and community needs that may be possible under conditions in the private housing market;
  • Promoting the arts, artistic community and its ongoing and lasting contribution to the culture, heritage, character, economy and quality of life of the community;
  • Cultivating community participation, volunteerism, mutual respect, civil discourse and Civic responsibility;
  • Furthering excellence in public education and an open, effective and mutually supportive relationship among the community, public schools and the City.