Local government decisions, however, must still conform to those provisions of the general plan excluded from the extension, to the extent specified by state and local laws. This allows local officials to continue acting on zoning, subdivisions, and related matters in the absence of a complete or adequate general plan. The grant of an extension temporarily waives state laws requiring consistency between local decisions and the portion of a plan subject to the extension. New cities, however, may request an extension for all portions of their general plan, including the housing element.

For counties and most cities an extension may apply to any portion of the general plan which is being or will be prepared or revised, except the housing element. An extension relieves a city or county of the requirement that it adopt a complete and legally adequate general plan or, in the case of a new city, that it adopt its plan within a specific time period. California Government Code Section 65361 authorizes the Director of OPR to grant 'general plan extensions' to cities and counties.

State of california 2016 extension form