What is a redevelopment agency?

A redevelopment agency is a separate public body that reports to the local governing body of a community, and either the city council or county board of supervisors. The California Community Redevelopment Law (CRL) provides that any county or city can establish a redevelopment agency by the action of its governing body. In all but a few agencies in California, the local governing body also serves as the redevelopment agency board. In a handful of cities and counties, the redevelopment agency is a separate body comprised of members appointed by elected officials.

In either instance, the local governing body and the redevelopment agency are two separate, distinct legal entities. And, the redevelopment agency assigns its own staff and advisors to carry out its day-to-day operations as well as to help formulate and implement redevelopment plans.

The benefit of this system is that the redevelopment agency is ultimately responsible to the voting public through the elected governing body that oversees the agency.