This chapter establishes a ministerial review process for qualifying development project applicants to obtain a ministerial housing permit. These provisions are intended to maintain consistency with the goals, objectives, and policies of the General Plan, and to comply with state law. This chapter also ensures adequate review for projects that may potentially impact the community, ensuring that development in each zoning district protects the integrity of that district while advancing greater housing goals for the city.
(Ord. 25-09, 5/19/2025)
A ministerial housing permit shall be required for:
A. 
100% affordable and mixed-income housing development projects pursuant to California Government Code Section 65912.100 et seq. (Affordable Housing and High Road Jobs Act of 2022) and in accordance with the procedures set forth in California Government Code Sections 65912.114 (Affordable Housing Developments in Commercial Zones) and 65912.124 (Mixed-Income Housing Developments Along Commercial Corridors), respectively.
B. 
Housing development projects in accordance with California Government Code Section 65913.16 (Affordable Housing on Faith and Higher Education Lands Act of 2023).
C. 
Housing development projects pursuant to California Government Code Section 65852.28 and parcel or tentative and final maps for a housing development project pursuant to California Government Code Section 66499.41 (The Starter Home Revitalization Act of 2021).
D. 
Low barrier navigation centers pursuant to California Government Code Section 65660 et seq. and in accordance with California Government Code Section 65913.4.
E. 
Emergency shelters, transitional housing and supportive housing in accordance with California Government Code Sections 65583 and 65650 et seq.
F. 
100% extremely affordable adaptive reuse housing development projects in accordance with Government Code Section 65913.12.
G. 
Any other type of housing development projects requiring ministerial processing and approval as required by state law.
H. 
Residential conversion projects, in accordance with Section 19.36.400.
(Ord. 25-09, 5/19/2025; Ord. 25-28, 12/15/2025)
Ministerial Housing Permit applications shall be reviewed, approved, modified, or denied by the Community Development Director, or their designee.
(Ord. 25-09, 5/19/2025)
A. 
Application and Fees. An application for a ministerial housing permit shall be prepared, filed, and processed in compliance with Chapter 19.40 (Application Filing and Processing), along with any additional requirements found in its governing section under any applicable state law. Fees shall be paid in accordance with Section 19.40.030 (Application Filing and Processing) of this code.
B. 
Site Posting.
1. 
Time of Posting. The applicant shall post notification signs at the project site at the following times.
a. 
Within 30 calendar days after the application filing; and
b. 
At the time of building permit issuance.
2. 
The applicant is responsible for preparing, installing, and maintaining the notification signs. The applicant shall submit an affidavit to the city verifying that the signs were posted on the site in a timely manner.
3. 
The notification signs shall:
a. 
Include the project case number, the address, a description of the project, and language referencing the applicable Government Code Section being invoked for the proposed project, if applicable.
b. 
Comply with the following dimensional requirements:
i. 
A minimum of 12 square feet in area;
ii. 
Minimum dimensions of three feet by four feet; and
iii. 
Height not to exceed eight feet;
c. 
Be located not less than one foot nor more than 10 feet inside the property line. Signs may be attached to a building façade at a zero setback.
4. 
Posting Duration. The first notification sign shall remain in place until a decision on the application becomes final, including the time required if an appeal is filed. The second notification sign shall remain in place until the start of project construction.
C. 
Mailed Notices. Mailing notices must include the project case number, the address, a description of the project, and language referencing the applicable Government Code Section being invoked for the proposed project, if applicable. Notices shall be postmarked within 30 calendar days after the application filing to the following:
1. 
Local Agencies. Each local agency expected to provide water, schools, or other essential facilities or services to the project, whose ability to provide the facilities and services may be affected;
2. 
Surrounding Residents and Property Owners. All owners of real property as shown on the county's current equalized assessment roll, and all tenants within a radius of 500 feet of the exterior boundaries of the parcel involved in the application.
D. 
Review. The Director will ministerially review the application without a hearing. The Director may issue a ministerial housing permit only after determining that the request complies with all applicable standards and provisions for the category of use in the zoning district of the subject parcel, in compliance with this Zoning Ordinance, and applicable state law.
(Ord. 25-09, 5/19/2025)
A. 
The Director shall prepare a written letter approving or denying the Ministerial Housing Permit within the timeframe required by the development project's governing state law.
B. 
The approval shall contain the findings of fact upon which the decision is based.
(Ord. 25-09, 5/19/2025)
Prior to issuance of a ministerial housing permit, the development project applicant shall enter into and record an agreement with the city, that ensures affordability, age restrictions, transitional housing restrictions, and/or supportive housing restrictions, where applicable, and is made in accordance with governing state law and Chapter 19.22 (Affordable Housing Requirements and Incentives), if applicable.
(Ord. 25-09, 5/19/2025)
A. 
Appeals. The Director's decision on a ministerial housing permit may be appealed to the City Council, provided that the only allowed grounds for appeal shall be that the Director's decision has not complied with the applicable provisions of this Zoning Ordinance, or the eligibility of the ministerial housing permit under its governing Government Code Section. Any filed appeal must comply with the requirements of Section 19.76.030 (Filing and Processing of Appeals).
B. 
Effective Date and Time Limits. The ministerial housing permit shall be effective, and exercised in accordance with Chapter 19.62 (Permit, Implementation, Time Limits, and Extensions) of this code unless otherwise stated by its regulating Government Code Section, if applicable.
(Ord. 25-09, 5/19/2025)