Zoning Overlays & Bonuses in Mendocino County, CA (2026)
2 rules for unincorporated Mendocino County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Density Bonus Law
Mendocino County grants density bonuses and incentives to affordable, moderate-income, and senior housing projects under Section 20.234.005, carrying out California Government Code Sections 65915 through 65918 in every zone that allows residential use. Developers file an application with the Planning and Building Department, pay a Board-set fee, and record a binding density bonus agreement with the County before final map approval or building permit issuance.
Mendocino County Density Bonus for Housing
Some RestrictionsMendocino County Code Sec. 20.234.005 (Density Bonus)
(A)Purpose. This section is adopted in accordance with Government Code Sections 65915-65918 of the California Government Code, as may be amended. This section establishes a density bonus and incentive program to provide both density bonuses and other incentives for owner-occupied and rental housing developments to encourage the creation of housing affordable to moderate, low, and very low-incom...
Downtown Design Guide
Commercial and mixed-use development in the unincorporated village centers zoned MU-2 General Mixed Use, such as nodes along the State Street corridor and other Ukiah Valley hubs, must apply the County's Community Design Guidelines under Sections 20.085.055 and 20.085.060. A project that departs from the Mixed Use Compatibility Standards cannot get a routine zoning clearance; it is bumped into a discretionary Administrative Permit or, for larger or more intensive uses, a Use Permit before the Planning Commission with CEQA review.
Mendocino County Mixed-Use Design Review
Some RestrictionsMendocino County Code §§ 20.085.055, 20.085.060(B)(2)(b)
All permitted mixed use projects shall be consistent with the Mixed Use Compatibility Standards and are encouraged to incorporate design principles and examples contained in the Community Design Guidelines to the extent feasible. Any permitted mixed use project determined to be inconsistent with these standards shall be subject to a discretionary permit as described in Section 20.085.060, Mixed...
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