Land Use Planning for Non-Planners: An Introduction to Planning in California

Online

Puzzled by planning jargon and regulations that make public meetings and conversations about community development, infrastructure projects, economic development and environmental quality almost incomprehensible?

Drawing on years of experience, instructors cover the intricacies of planning, translate the jargon, and explain how state and local planning practices and policies are developed and how they impact all aspects of our lives. Learn how to more effectively participate in planning processes and how to understand the impacts of the complex legal issues associated with both land use and environmental planning.

Designed for those who regularly confront the planning process, this course provides a basic understanding of the procedures for local review of land use and development proposals. Although primarily intended for the non-planner, this course is also useful for those considering a career in planning.

CEUs

0.65

Section Number

251LAN103

Instruction Method

Online class

Association Credits

American Planning Assoc (AICP)

6.50 AICP hours

State Bar of California (MCLE)

5.00 MCLE hours

Section Notes

This is an online, remote learning course, which consists of 6.5 hours of content and curriculum that is taught with pre-recorded lectures as well as at least one mandatory live Zoom session with the instructor(s). Pre-recorded lectures and live sessions are accessed via our Canvas learning system and Zoom. This course is the same length as a standard 1 day, in-person course, please be sure to plan your schedule accordingly.

This course is open July 7 - 11, with a live session on July 10 from 2:00-4:00PM PT.

Attendance of the live session is mandatory to receive credit for this course.

We allow registration through the 12:00 PM PST (noon) on the first day of the course. We cannot extend course access beyond 11:59 PM on July 11, so students pursuing a late enrollment acknowledge that they will have less time to complete the materials. Please contact the course representative with any questions.

Refund Deadline: June 30, 2025. Refunds and/or enrollment transfers will not be approved after this date.

Enrollment Policies

Drop requests (withdraw with a refund) will be approved, less a $30 processing fee, if the request is received seven calendar days before the course begins. Click here to view complete enrollment policy information including details on withdrawals and transfers.

Refund Deadline: June 30, 2025. Refunds and/or enrollment transfers will not be approved after this date.

Discounts

APA

Members can receive 10% discount on the course fee by entering the Coupon Code. If you don’t have your association discount code, contact UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education Student Services at (800) 752-0881.

Info Session Discount

Attendees of UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education Information Sessions may be eligible for $100 discount on a class by entering the Coupon Code provided at the Information Session. Contact UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education Student Services office, at (800) 752-0881, if you have questions about this discount.

AEP

Enroll Now

Schedule

Jul 7th, 2025 to Jul 11th, 2025, 12:00am to 12:00am

Thur., Jul 10th, 2025, 2:00pm to 4:00pm

Fees

$450

Instructors

Thomas Jacobson

Thomas Jacobson, FAICP, J.D., M.C.P., is Professor Emeritus in the of Geography, Environment, and Planning at Sonoma State University and was formerly Director of the Center for Sustainable Communities. He was of Counsel with the Sohaigi Law Group. His publications include Land Use Planning in California: An Essential Reference (Solano Press Books).

Vivian Kahn

Vivian Kahn, FAICP, is an associate principal with Dyett & Bhatia, City and Regional Planners in San Francisco. She has more than 40 years of planning experience, including preparation and administration of land use regulations and environmental documents for public agencies in California and other states. She was formerly planning manager/zoning officer and deputy director of Planning and Development for the City of Berkeley as well as chief of community assistance in the California Governor's Office of Planning and Research. She co-authored chapters on zoning in California Land Use Practice (California Continuing Education of the Bar, Oakland, 2006) and was a contributor to The RLUIPA Reader: Religious Land Uses, Zoning, and the Courts (American Planning Association and American Bar Association, 2009).