General Plan

The General Plan is the document that most fundamentally addresses Hollister’s growth and development issues. A General Plan is often described as the “constitution” that guides the development of a city, typically for a 20-year horizon. It establishes a vision for the future, as well as the policies and implementation measures that will help our community achieve that vision. It addresses land use, housing, open space, circulation, economic development, public services, infrastructure, emergency preparedness and community health, among other issues. It is the foundation on which all land use and regulatory decisions are made. 

On April 20, 2026, the Hollister City Council adopted the Hollister General Plan 2040 with a comprehensive Zoning Ordinance under way. 

Hollister is the heart of San Benito County, a welcoming place where people come to live, work, and play. People choose to live here because of the strong sense of community, diversity, and the wide range of housing types for all income levels. Framed by the Diablo and Gabilan ranges and surrounding agricultural landscape, Hollister preserves its historic past and ensures that new development complements the small-town charm. High-quality design and strong architectural character attract people to retail areas and contribute to a sense of place.  

Known as an innovation hub, Hollister attracts businesses to its downtown, its industrial parks, and its airport so that they can collaborate with each other and benefit from the diverse labor pool. Tourists add to Hollister’s economic diversity by dining, shopping, and staying in Hollister while en route to Pinnacles National Park, Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area, and the surrounding wineries. The availability of high-quality jobs means that residents can work locally, freeing up time that might otherwise be spent commuting. 

Traveling by car, bus, bicycle, or on foot are all easy in Hollister. Neighborhoods, schools, shops, jobs, healthcare, and public services are connected by bikeways, walkways, and bus and rail lines.  

Community life flourishes in Hollister. A vibrant, historic downtown, lively arts scene, inviting parks and public spaces, and activities and services for people of all ages help forge self expression, connection, and well-being.  

New growth is primarily focused in existing urban areas or adjacent to existing development, to enhance connectedness and preserve active agricultural uses and open space areas. The City coordinates with the County of San Benito and other local agencies to ensure growth is well-planned, sustainable, and citizens are provided with needed services and resources. Hollister is a unique and diverse city that is, and will remain, a place to call home for generations to come. 

Values are a cornerstone of the General Plan Update process, ensuring that community interests and principles guide the vision for a City of Hollister that supports a thriving community for generations to come. The following represent these shared values:

This Climate Action Plan (CAP) is Hollister’s strategic plan to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and to adapt to changing climate conditions. The CAP allows the City of Hollister ’s decisionmakers, staff, and community to understand the sources and magnitude of local GHG emissions and the impacts of climate change on the community, prioritize steps to achieve long -term GHG emissions targets, and increase resilience. 

On April 20, 2026, the Hollister City Council adopted the Hollister General Plan 2040, Climate Action Plan. 

An Environmental Impact Report (EIR) has been conducted for all components of the General Plan to ensure that land use activities and policies do not negatively affect our community. The Environmental Impact Report (EIR) has identified potential environmental impacts and the measures we can take to reduce or avoid them. 

For access to the 2040 General Plan EIR and EIR Addendum, please visit the CEQA Environmental Notices page here.

On April 20, 2026, the Hollister City Council adopted the Hollister General Plan 2040. To see the steps taken and draft documents, please visit Hollister2040.org.

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City of Hollister 2040 General Plan - Adopted April 202617 documents

• Complete General Plan Document
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• Cover Page
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• Table of Contents
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• Chapter One - Introduction
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• Chapter Two - Vision
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• Chapter Three - Land Use and Community Design Element
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• Chapter Four - Circulation Element
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• Chapter Five - Community Services and Facilities Element
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• Chapter Six - Economic Development Element
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• Chapter Seven - Natural Resources Element
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• Chapter Eight - Health and Safety Element
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• Chapter Nine - Open Space and Agriculture Element
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• Chapter Ten - Arts and Culture Element
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• Chapter Eleven - Environmental Justice Department
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• Abbreviations and Glossary
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• Appendix A - Health and Safety Element Vulnerability Assessment Report
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• Appendix B - Evacuation Study
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City of Hollister 2040 General Plan Map1 document

• 2040 General Plan Map
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City of Hollister General Plan -Adopted December 200516 documents

• Complete General Plan Document
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• Cover Page
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• Table of Contents
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• Chapter One - Introduction
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• Chapter Two- Land Use and Community Design Element
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• Final Housing Element, Nov. 2009
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• Chapter Three - Housing Element
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• Chapter Four - Circulation Element
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• Chapter Five - Community Services and Facilities Element
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• Chapter Six- Open Space and Agriculture
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• Chapter Seven - Natural Resources and Conservation Element
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• Chapter Eight _ Health and Safety Element
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• Chapter Nine - Appendix A - Housing Background Data
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• Chapter Nine- Appendix B - Vacant Land Inventory
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• Chapter Nine - Appendix C- Implementation Timeline
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• Chapter Nine - Appendix D- Resolution Adoption
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City of Hollister General Plan Map1 document

• General Plan Map
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General Plan EIR (Adopted December 2005)9 documents

• General Plan Final EIR Sections 1 - 3
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• General Plan Final EIR Sections 4.1 - 4.2
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• General Plan Final EIR Sections 4.3 - 4.5
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• General Plan Final EIR Sections 4.6 - 4.9
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• General Plan Final EIR Sections 4.10 - 4.11
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• General Plan Final EIR Sections 5 - 7
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• General Plan Final EIR Appendix A & B
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• General Plan Final EIR Appendix C
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• General Plan Final EIR Appendix D
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General Plan Progress Reports18 documents

• 2007 General Plan Annual Progress Report
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• 2009 General Plan Annual Progress Report
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• 2010 General Plan Annual Progress Report
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• 2011 General Plan Annual Progress Report
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• 2012 General Plan Annual Progress Report
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• 2013 General Plan Annual Progress Report
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• 2014 General Plan Annual Progress Report
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• 2015 General Plan Annual Progress Report
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• 2016 General Plan Annual Progress Report
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• 2017 General Plan Annual Progress Report
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• 2018 General Plan Annual Progress Report
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• 2019 General Plan Annual Progress Report
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• 2020 General Plan Annual Progress Report
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• 2021 General Plan Annual Progress Report
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• 2022 General Plan Annual Progress Report
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• 2023 General Plan Annual Progress Report
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• 2024 General Plan Annual Progress Report
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• 2025 General Plan Annual Progress Report
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Housing Element Annual Progress Reports10 documents

• 2024 Housing Element Annual Progress Report
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• 2023 Housing Element Annual Progress Report
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• 2022 Housing Element Annual Progress Report
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• 2021 Housing Element Annual Progress Report
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• 2020 Housing Element Annual Progress Report
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• 2019 Housing Element Annual Progress Report
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• 2018 Housing Element Annual Progress Report
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• 2017 Housing Element Annual Progress Report
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• 2016 Housing Element Annual Report
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• 2025 Housing Element Annual Progress Report
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