AB 1075

Bill Subjects

Abstract

The Planning and Zoning Law requires each county and city to adopt a comprehensive, long-term general plan for its physical development and the development of certain lands outside its boundaries, that includes, among other mandatory elements, a housing element. Existing law requires that the housing element include, among other things, an inventory of land suitable and available for residential development. If the inventory of sites does not identify adequate sites to accommodate the need for groups of all households pursuant to specified law, existing law requires the local government to rezone sites within specified time periods and that this rezoning accommodate 100% of the need for housing for very low and low-income households on sites that will be zoned to permit owner-occupied and rental multifamily residential use by right for specified developments. Existing law provides for various incentives intended to facilitate and expedite the construction of affordable housing, including the Density Bonus Law, which requires that when an applicant proposes a housing development within the jurisdiction of a local government, the city, county, or city and county provide the developer with a density bonus and other incentives or concessions for the production of lower income housing units or for the donation of land within the development if the developer, among other things, agrees to construct a specified percentage of units for very low, low-, or moderate-income households or qualifying residents. This bill would require a local government to deem a residential development compliant with its local zoning requirements if the proposed development is located on a site that meets specified requirements, including that the development is not located within a wetland, as defined, or within a very high fire hazard severity zone, as defined, and that the proposed development is zoned residential. The bill would require the residential development to meet certain requirements, including that the development meets objective design review standards. If the proposed project is subject to an inclusionary housing ordinance when the project application is submitted, the bill would require the project to satisfy the requirements of the inclusionary housing ordinance. The bill would include findings that changes proposed by this bill address a matter of statewide concern rather than a municipal affair and, therefore, apply to all cities, including charter cities. By adding to the duties of local planning officials, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.