San Diego County, CA Zoning Overlays & Bonuses: Density Bonus Law (2026)
Key Facts
- Very-low income set-aside
- 5% of units → 20% bonus
- Lower income set-aside
- 10% of units → 20% bonus
- Maximum density bonus
- Up to 50% of base units
- Permit procedure
- Zoning Ordinance § 7400
- Geographic scope
- Unincorporated county only
Summary
In unincorporated San Diego County, residential projects can earn a density bonus of up to 50% above base zoning density by reserving units for very-low, low, or moderate-income households under Zoning Ordinance §§ 6350-6399.
6355 ELIGIBILITY FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING/DENSITY BONUS PROGRAM AND PERMIT. a. Income and Age Requirements... 1. At least five percent of the total number of base units are reserved as affordable for very low income households. 2. At least ten percent of the total number of base units are reserved as affordable for lower income households.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-141: Administrative: Current through Ord. No. 11007 (N.S.), effective 7-10-26 | Regulatory: Current through Ord. No. 11008 (N.S.), effective 7-24-26).
Full Breakdown
The county's Density Bonus/Affordable Housing Program, Zoning Ordinance §§ 6350-6399, implements Government Code § 65915 with the county's own eligibility rules and a Density Bonus Table. A project qualifies by reserving at least 5% of base units for very-low-income households or 10% for lower-income households (higher percentages apply to senior, student, or 100%-affordable projects), and must go through the Density Bonus/Affordable Housing Permit Procedures at Zoning Ordinance § 7400, or, for the County Affordable Senior Housing Program, the Administrative Permit procedure at § 7050.
Violations & Fines
This is a voluntary incentive program, not a prohibition: a project that doesn't seek or qualify for a bonus simply builds at standard zoning density. Projects that receive a density bonus must comply with recorded affordability restrictions and the permit conditions imposed under §§ 7400 or 7050.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does San Diego County's density bonus program apply inside the City of San Diego?
How large a density bonus can a qualifying project get?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Diego County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Diego County to another location·View the California zoning overlays & bonuses overview
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