Beaumont, CA Zoning Overlays & Bonuses: Density Bonus Law (2026)

Chapter 17.10 of the Beaumont Municipal Code, adopted by the City Council in Ordinance No. 1128 and amended by Ordinance No. 1150 on October 4, 2022, exists to produce housing for very low income, lower income, moderate income, and senior households and to carry out the Housing Element of the City's General Plan. Section 17.10.030 has the City grant the density bonus, concessions, waivers and parking reductions described in State density bonus law, and it assigns administration to the Community Development Department under Chapter 17.02.

Section 17.10.040 lists what an applicant can request. A qualifying project is entitled to at least one incentive unless the City makes the findings required by Government Code Section 65915(d)(1). The list covers reduced minimum lot sizes, reduced lot setbacks, reduced open space, increased lot coverage, increased building height and reduced on-site parking. It also names mixed use zoning, another concession the applicant proposes, a density bonus larger than State law allows, and waived, reduced or deferred plan check, construction permit and development impact fees. Anything above what State law allows is decided case by case by the City's review authority.

The incentives come with obligations. Under § 17.10.050 the applicant signs a density bonus housing agreement, recorded at the applicant's cost as a restriction running with the land, and the target units stay restricted for 55 years or longer if the financing program requires it. Owners of rental target units file a certificate of compliance every year and within 30 days of occupancy, keep sworn and notarized income statements, and give the City the right to audit project records once a year. Section 17.10.080 has the Community Development Director and City Attorney review the agreement before it goes to the review authority. Section 17.10.090 provides that later State changes to percentages or thresholds override conflicting numbers in the chapter.