Welcome to the Local Planning Handbook

The Local Planning Handbook is your essential guide for updating comprehensive plans, offering clear instructions on minimum requirements, interactive tools and maps, community-specific data, and resources for grants and technical assistance.

Community Pages

Access your community’s personalized checklist, interactive and downloadable maps (including GIS shapefiles), and a list of affected jurisdictions to ensure compatibility with neighboring plans.

Required Plan Elements

Explore our Plan Element pages to discover minimum requirements, practical tips, and valuable resources that help you create a comprehensive plan.

Submit Online

Submit your Comprehensive Plan Update or Amendment, and track its progress.

Coming Soon to the Local Planning Handbook

Kick off the 2050 Comprehensive Planning Process

System Statements: Available now on your Community Page!
Minimum Requirements Checklists: For Cities and Townships- available now on your Community Page!

Grant and Planning Program Information

Small Communities Planning Program: (November 2025) A webpage with information on the Small Communities Planning Program and eligible communities.
Planning Assistance Grants: (December 2025) A webpage with information on Planning Assistance grants and eligible communities.

Tools and Resources Launching in 2025/26

Natural Systems Planning Tools: Available now as a Beta tool. Interactive map and story map resources linking data to planning requirements.
Local Housing Data Tool: (Fall 2025) Interactive housing data visualization tool to explore existing conditions.
Housing Policy Implementation Toolkit: (2026) with strategies, examples, and funding options.
Climate Action Toolkit: Available now as a Beta tool. Technical resource with climate actions across mitigation/adaptation sectors, including impacts, examples, environmental justice considerations, and ease of implementation.
Water Supply Planning Guide: Directions, tools, and local examples to help you meet all required water supply elements in your local plan

Education, Training and Events

PlanIt Program: Training and support to meet requirements and pursue more ambitious, inclusive plans.