Density Bonus Law
Zoning Overlays & Bonuses
California Density Bonus Law (Gov Code §65915) and local implementations granting up to 50% density bonuses for affordable-housing projects.
How Density Bonus Law Rules Differ by Place
Manteca, CA: Manteca Affordable Housing Density Bonus
Few RestrictionsManteca grants housing developments a density bonus of up to 35% for including affordable or senior units, implementing state density bonus law locally.
Rialto, CA: Rialto Density Bonus for Affordable Housing Projects
Few RestrictionsRialto must grant a density bonus and development incentives to any housing project of five or more units that sets aside a state-specified share of affordable, senior, veteran…
Stanislaus County, CA: Stanislaus County Affordable Housing Density Bonus
Few RestrictionsStanislaus County grants a 20 percent density bonus over the maximum allowed residential density to any housing development that sets aside at least 5 percent of its units for very low…
Auburn, AL: Auburn PDD Density Bonus Incentives
Some RestrictionsAuburn grants developers of Planned Development Districts (PDD) a density bonus of 10% or 20% above the base zone density in exchange for public benefits like open space…
Jefferson County, AL: Jefferson County Zoning Density Bonus Rule
Some RestrictionsJefferson County's Zoning Resolution lets residential developments earn up to a 10% density increase, compoundable to 20%, in exchange for specific public benefits. Section 504.02…
Tuscaloosa, AL: Tuscaloosa Green Building Density Bonus
Some RestrictionsTuscaloosa awards up to 1.5 extra dwelling units per acre in residential districts, or 2 extra units per acre elsewhere, to developments that earn LEED Gold or Platinum certification…
Cities & Counties with Density Bonus Law Rules
514 locations
Alabama
California
Michigan
New Jersey
Other Zoning Overlays & Bonuses Topics
Specific Plans Overview
How specific plans (LA has 35+) layer on top of underlying zoning to set neighborhood-tailored rules for height, density, design, and use.
Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC)
LA's TOC tier system (Measure JJJ) granting density and parking incentives near major transit, including affordability set-aside ratios per tier.
Hillside Overlay Rules
Special development rules for hillside zones, slope-band density formulas, hillside grading limits, and view-protection standards above LAMC baseline.
Q-Conditions (Qualified Zoning)
How "Q" qualified-zoning conditions add property-specific use restrictions, design standards, and operational limits on top of base zoning.
Coastal Zone Permits
Coastal Development Permits (CDP) required for projects in the coastal zone (Venice, Pacific Palisades, San Pedro), including local-CDP vs Coastal Commission jurisdiction.
Mello Act Replacement
California Mello Act requirement to replace affordable housing demolished or converted in the coastal zone, including LA's implementation rules.
Hollywood Community Plan
The Hollywood Community Plan (and 2035 update) layering height, density, and design rules on top of base zoning across Hollywood neighborhoods.
Venice Specific Plan
The Venice Specific Plan setting unique residential, commercial, and walk-street rules in Venice, including iconic-streetscape preservation.
Downtown Design Guide
LA's Downtown Design Guide and Community Plan governing high-rise massing, ground-floor activation, and adaptive-reuse standards in DTLA.