Tahoe Douglas Area Plan Overview
Douglas County is preparing the Tahoe Douglas Area Plan (TDAP) to guide the future of the Tahoe Township—the portion of Douglas County within the Lake Tahoe Basin, outside the South Shore Area Plan boundary.
The TDAP will help the community decide how land should be used and developed, what should be preserved, and how to support housing, transportation, and recreation needs while protecting the environment. This plan will align with the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) Regional Plan and become part of that broader regional framework.
Purpose and Vision
The TDAP will serve as a blueprint for the next 5, 10, and 15 years—helping define what the community looks and feels like in the future. The plan will:
- Identify whether existing land uses are appropriate or need to change.
- Describe the current character of the community and establish a shared vision for its future.
- Determine if the community needs more or fewer residential, commercial, tourist, or recreational areas.
- Provide direction for redevelopment opportunities that reflect local values and enhance community vitality.
The plan’s vision will focus on creating a balanced, resilient, and thriving Tahoe community—one that supports residents, visitors, and the natural environment.
Key Questions for the Community
As part of developing the TDAP, Douglas County will ask the community to help answer questions such as:
- Land Use: Do existing land uses match our community’s long-term vision? What do we want Tahoe Douglas to look like in the future?
- Character and Compatibility: What land uses best fit the unique mountain, lake, and forest setting? Are our current residential, commercial, and tourist areas sufficient?
- Environmental Review: How should environmental review levels be defined for different types of land use changes to streamline and clarify development requirements?
- Design Standards: What building heights, densities, setbacks, and design guidelines should apply to maintain scenic quality and community character?
- Transportation: What improvements are needed for safe, efficient, and sustainable travel—by car, transit, bike, or on foot?
- Goals and Policies: What policies and projects should address conservation, recreation, public services, and environmental protection?
- Deed-Restricted Housing: How can we integrate TRPA’s 2023 development standards for deed-restricted affordable, moderate, and achievable housing into a plan that fits local needs?
- Community Challenges: What other local issues can this plan help solve—such as balancing tourism and resident needs, improving recreation access, or supporting year-round vitality?
What the TDAP Will Do
When adopted, the TDAP will:
- Replace outdated community plans and plan area statements (Round Hill Community Plan and PASs 057–088).
- Implement TRPA’s Environmental Threshold Standards and Regional Plan policies at the community level.
- Simplify permitting and environmental review for projects that meet plan standards.
- Establish clear design and development guidelines to protect the alpine and lake environment.
- Support a mix of land uses and transportation options that serve residents, businesses, and visitors alike.