Carson, CA Zoning Overlays & Bonuses: Density Bonus Law (2026)
Key Facts
- Base bonus
- 20% for 5% very-low-income units
- Alternate criterion
- 20% for 10% lower-income units
- Senior housing bonus
- 20% of senior units
- Moderate-income bonus
- 5%, ownership projects only
- Implements
- Cal. Gov. Code § 65915
Summary
Carson grants a twenty percent density bonus to housing developments that set aside five percent of units for very-low-income households or ten percent for lower-income households, implementing state law.
Upon written request to the City, an applicant for a housing development is eligible for one (1) density bonus of twenty (20) percent over the maximum residential density (except in the case of senior citizen housing, as provided below); provided, that the applicant agrees to construct the housing development in accordance with one (1) of the following criteria:
1. Five (5) percent of the total dwelling units, excluding any units permitted by the density bonus, are provided at affordable rent or ownership costs to very low income households; or 2. Ten (10) percent of the total dwelling units, excluding any units permitted by the density bonus, are provided at affordable rent or ownership costs to lower income households; or 3. A senior citizen housing development. For senior citizen housing developments, the density bonus shall be twenty (20) percent of the number of senior housing units provided.
B. Moderate Income Housing. Upon written request to the City, an applicant for a housing development is eligible for one (1) density bonus of five (5) percent over the maximum residential density if the applicant agrees to construct the housing development in accordance with all of the following criteria:
1. At least ten (10) percent of the total dwelling units, excluding any units permitted by the density bonus, are provided at affordable ownership costs to moderate income households; and 2.
Full Breakdown
Carson Municipal Code Chapter 4 implements California's density bonus statutes, Government Code Sections 65915 through 65918, and states that if those state sections are later amended, the amended versions are automatically incorporated into the local chapter. An applicant who commits five percent of units to very-low-income households, ten percent to lower-income households, or builds senior citizen housing qualifies for a base twenty percent density bonus over the maximum residential density; moderate-income ownership projects qualify for a five percent bonus. Higher percentages of affordable units unlock larger bonuses on a sliding scale, up to a thirty-five percent cap, under CMC § 9402(C).
Violations & Fines
A developer that fails to deliver the promised very-low, lower, or moderate income units forfeits the density bonus, and the continued-affordability deed restriction recorded under CMC § 9402(D) remains enforceable by the City for up to fifty-five years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Carson's density bonus ordinance override California's?
Can a project stack multiple density bonus categories?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Carson
California rules heatmap·Compare Carson to another location·View the California zoning overlays & bonuses overview
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Density Bonus Law in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle density bonus law.