Housing Legislation
Housing Element
The Housing Element is one of 11 elements of the County Policy Plan and is subject to review by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). It contains information on the community’s housing needs, including those of lower-income households, people experiencing homelessness, people with disabilities, seniors and other groups. It also considers the need for new housing and includes an inventory of potential development sites within the County that could accommodate the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA). The Housing Element also establishes and refines the County’s goals, policies, programs and objectives to create a comprehensive housing strategy that addresses existing and future housing needs.
Consolidated Plan
The Consolidated Plan assesses the current housing market, describes the characteristics of the County’s population, identifies community improvement priorities, and outlines a five-year plan to fund and implement those priorities. This document is required by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the County to receive federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds.
Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice
The Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice identifies barriers to equal access to housing and neighborhood opportunities and proposes strategies to overcome those barriers. This document is required by HUD for the County to receive federal CDBG funds. Per state law passed in 2018 (AB 686), the Housing Element will incorporate the Analysis of Impediments by reference and expand analysis based on guidance from HCD.
Resources
Housing Laws
Over the last decade, the California Legislature has enacted statutes intended to significantly increase the approval, development and affordability of housing for all income levels. The Land Use Services Department has compiled information on these housing laws in the form of checklists, preliminary applications and supplemental handouts that apply to the County’s unincorporated communities. These documents will be updated periodically to reflect new laws as they are enacted.
An accessory dwelling unit is an attached or detached residential unit that does not exceed the allowable density of the parcel. It provides complete, independent living facilities for one or more people, with permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation on the same parcel as the proposed or existing single-family or multifamily dwelling.
- Learn more through the ADU Information Handout.
- Pre-Approved ADU plans are available through the Building and Safety division of Land Use Services.
AB 2011 (2022), or the Affordable Housing and High Road Jobs Act of 2022, creates an optional streamlined, ministerial review process for housing projects on sites that allow commercial uses, such as office, retail and parking. AB 2011 removes review barriers and expedites the construction of much-needed affordable and mixed-income housing under specific conditions, such as affordability. Learn more about qualifying for AB 2011 through the AB 2011 Checklist.
The County’s draft Objective Design Standards (ODS) for multifamily residential developments serve as part of an easily verifiable and streamlined entitlement process for new multifamily developments. ODS are clear and measurable standards that apply without discretion under applicable state housing laws. Learn more through the draft Multifamily ODS Checklist.
SB 6 (2022), or the Middle Class Housing Act of 2022, allows housing in zones where retail, office or parking are permitted uses through discretionary review and subjective design standards. SB 6 does not create a specific ministerial approval process. However, qualifying SB 6 projects may take advantage of the benefits offered under SB 330. Learn more about qualifying for SB 6 through the SB 6 Checklist.
SB 9 (2021) allows development of up to four housing units in single-family residential zones and allows the subdivision of lots into two parcels under specific eligibility criteria. Learn more about qualifying for SB 9 through the SB 9 FAQ Handout.
SB 330 (2019) streamlines the permitting process and strengthens protections for multifamily housing, certain mixed-use projects, transitional or supportive housing and farmworker housing. It grants projects vesting rights when a complete preliminary application is submitted and fees are paid. It also sets review timelines and hearing limits, and establishes ODS standards to strengthen protections for the housing project. Learn more about qualifying for SB 330 through the Preliminary Application Form.