sphere of influence

In 1972, Local Agency Formation Commissions (LAFCos) were given the power to determine the “Sphere of Influence” for all local government agencies.  A “Sphere of Influence” is defined as a planning boundary outside of an agency’s legal boundary (such as the city limit line) that designates the agency’s probable future boundary and service area.  Establishing a Sphere of Influence boundary is meant to promote orderly land use and service planning.