The intent of the density bonus program is to contribute significantly
to the economic feasibility of affordable housing in proposed developments
by offering incentives to developers consisting of density bonuses
or other concessions of equal financial value, in compliance with
California
Government Code Sections 65915 through 65918.
(Ord. CS 1169 §15, 2015)
Projects which meet the requirements of this chapter shall qualify
for a density bonus as described below:
A. Very
Low and Low Income Housing and Senior Citizen Housing. Upon written
request to the county, an applicant for a housing development is eligible
for one density bonus of twenty percent over the maximum residential
density provided that the applicant agrees to construct the housing
development in accordance with one of the following criteria:
1. Very
Low Income Households. Five percent of the total dwelling units, excluding
any units permitted by the density bonus, are provided at affordable
rent or ownership costs to very low income households; or
2. Low
Income Households. Ten percent of the total dwelling units, excluding
any units permitted by the density bonus, are provided at affordable
rent or ownership costs to low income households; or
3. Senior Citizen Housing Development. For senior citizen housing developments conforming with subsection
G, the density bonus shall be twenty percent of the number of senior housing units provided.
B. Moderate
Income Housing. Upon written request to the county, an applicant for
a housing development is eligible for one density bonus of five percent
over the maximum residential density if the applicant agrees to construct
the housing development in accordance with all of the following criteria:
1. At
least ten percent of the total dwelling units, excluding any units
permitted by the density bonus, are provided at affordable ownership
costs to moderate income households; and
2. The
housing development is a common interest project as defined by Section
1351 of the California
Civil Code; and
3. All
of the dwelling units in the housing development are offered for sale
to the public.
C. Higher Density Bonus for Greater Contribution of Affordable Units. Upon written request to the county, an applicant for a housing development that is eligible for a density bonus based upon the contribution of affordable units, may receive a higher amount of density bonus if the percentage of very low, low, and moderate income housing units exceeds the base percentage established in subsection
A or
B, as follows:
1. Very
Low Income Units. For each one percent increase above five percent
in affordable units for very low income households, the density bonus
shall be increased by two and one-half percent up to a maximum of
thirty-five percent.
2. Low
Income Units. For each one percent increase above ten percent in the
affordable units for low income households, the density bonus shall
be increased by one and one-half percent up to a maximum of thirty-five
percent.
3. Moderate
Income Units. For each one percent increase above ten percent in affordable
units offered for sale to moderate income households, the density
bonus shall be increased by one percent up to maximum thirty-five
percent.
Table 1: Density Bonus Summary
|
---|
Types of Affordable Units Providing Eligibility for a Density
Bonus
|
Minimum Percent
|
Bonus Granted
|
Bonus for Each 1% Increase in Affordable Units
|
Additional Percent of Affordable Units Required for Maximum
35% Bonus
|
---|
Very Low Income
|
5%
|
20%
|
2.5%
|
11%
|
Lower Income
|
10%
|
20%
|
1.5%
|
20%
|
Moderate Income
|
10%
|
5%
|
1%
|
40%
|
Senior Citizen Housing
|
Qualified development
|
20% of the units
|
-
|
-
|
D. Higher
Density Bonus for Land Donation. When an applicant for a tentative
subdivision map, parcel map, or other residential development approval
donates land to the county, in accordance with Section 65915 of the
California
Government Code, the applicant shall be entitled to a fifteen
percent increase, and up to thirty-five percent density bonus increase
when very low income units are accommodated on the donated land, above
the otherwise maximum allowable residential density for the entire
development.
E. Child
Care Facilities. When an applicant proposes to construct a housing
development which includes a child care facility either of the following
may be granted, up to a maximum density bonus of thirty-five percent:
1. An
additional density bonus that is an amount of square feet of residential
space that is equal to or greater than the amount of square feet in
the child care facility; or
2. An
additional concession or incentive that contributes significantly
to the economic feasibility of the construction of the child care
facility.
F. The
highest possible density bonus is thirty-five percent above the normally
allowed density, regardless of which density bonus the developer chooses
to apply to their project.
G. For
the purposes of this section, "total units" or "total dwelling units"
do not include units added by a density bonus awarded pursuant to
this chapter or any local law granting a greater density bonus.
H. "Housing
development," as used in this section, means a development project
for five or more residential units.
I. All
density calculations resulting in fractional units shall be rounded
up to the next whole number.
J. For
the purposes of any provisions in this article, an applicant may elect
to accept a lesser percentage of density bonus than that to which
the housing development is eligible.
K. Senior
citizen housing is a housing development developed, substantially
rehabilitated, or substantially renovated for senior citizens that
has at least thirty-five dwelling units, as defined in Sections 51.3
and 51.12 of the California
Civil Code, or a mobile home park that
limits residency based on age requirements for housing for older persons
pursuant to Section 798.76 or 799.5 of the California
Civil Code.
(Ord. CS 1169 §15, 2015)