Bakersfield processes State Density Bonus Law applications under California Government Code 65915, granting additional units, reduced parking, and concessions to projects that include affordable, senior, or supportive housing components.
Under California Government Code 65915, projects offering qualifying affordable units receive density bonuses up to 50 percent or more, plus parking reductions, height waivers, and other concessions. Bakersfield is a charter city but cannot opt out of state density bonus law. The Title 17 Zoning Ordinance includes a local Affordable Housing Density Bonus chapter implementing state requirements. Most applications come from infill multifamily projects in central and southwest Bakersfield. Concessions still require objective design review by the Planning Department but cannot be denied for projects meeting statutory affordability thresholds.
Improper denial of qualifying density bonus applications exposes the city to housing-element accountability lawsuits and penalty awards under state Housing Crisis Act statutes.
See how Bakersfield's density bonus law rules stack up against other locations.
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