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Zoning Overlays & Bonuses in Santa Maria, CA (2026)

1 verified zoning overlays & bonuses rules for Santa Maria, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Density Bonus Law

Santa Maria grants a density bonus above the zoning-allowed unit count to residential projects that set aside affordable units under SMMC Section 12-48.03. A developer qualifies by reserving 10% of units for lower-income households, 5% for very-low-income households, 50% for qualifying senior residents, or 10% of a common-interest development for moderate-income buyers, with the bonus size calculated under Government Code Section 65915(g).

Santa Maria Density Bonus for Affordable Housing

Some Restrictions

Santa Maria Municipal Code Section 12-48.03 (Density Bonuses)

Any housing development of five or more units as defined by 50073.5 the Health and Safety Code, any senior citizen housing development as defined in Section 51.3 of the Civil Code, any mobilehome park that limits residency to older persons pursuant to Civil Code Section 798.76 or 799.5, and any common interest development project as defined below, shall be entitled to a density bonus above the ...

Looking for Santa Barbara County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Santa Maria city rules.

Zoning Overlays & Bonuses in Santa Barbara County