Hemet, CA Zoning Overlays & Bonuses: Density Bonus Law (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing statute
- Implements Gov. Code § 65915
- Minimum project size
- 5+ dwelling units to qualify
- Lower-income bonus
- 10% units affordable = 20% base bonus
- Very-low-income bonus
- 5% units affordable = 20% base bonus
- Maximum bonus
- 35% over otherwise allowable density
- Affordability term
- Recorded covenant, minimum 30 years
- Reduced parking
- 1-2.5 spaces per unit by bedroom count, § 90-168
Summary
Hemet implements California's density bonus law (Gov. Code § 65915) locally through City Code §§ 90-161 to 90-168. A housing development with at least 10 percent lower-income units, 5 percent very-low-income units, or 10 percent moderate-income condos earns a 20 percent (or 5 percent for moderate) base density bonus, scaling up to a 35 percent maximum.
(b)(1)a.At least ten percent of the total dwelling units in a housing development are lower income units and the applicant agrees to ensure continued affordability of such units to lower income households as defined in § 50079.5 of the California Health and Safety Code.b.The base density bonus for housing developments with the qualifying number of lower income units shall be 20 percent over the otherwise maximum allowable residential density under the applicable zoning classification on the city's zoning map and the corresponding land use designation in the general plan.c.The base density bonus may be increased as provided herein. For each additional one percent increase in the total number of affordable units over ten percent, the density bonus shall increase from the base of 20 percent by 1.5 percent, to a maximum of 35 percent. No density bonus or aggregate of density bonuses for a housing development may exceed 35 percent.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 69 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Article VI of the zoning chapter grants a density bonus to any housing development of five or more units that requests one in writing and meets an affordability threshold. 5 percent for every additional 1 percent of affordable units, capped at 35 percent. 5 percent per additional 1 percent, also capped at 35 percent. Moderate-income condominium or planned-unit developments need 10 percent moderate units for a smaller 5 percent base bonus, rising 1 percent per additional 1 percent to the same 35 percent ceiling. A land-donation option is available for larger subdivisions that transfer at least one acre, or land sized for 40 affordable units, to the city or an approved developer, starting at a 15 percent base bonus.
All bonus categories are cumulative but cannot push a project's density more than 35 percent over the otherwise maximum allowable residential density for the zone and general plan designation. Beyond density, qualifying projects can request one to three additional incentives or concessions under § 90-164, such as reduced setbacks, reduced parking ratios, or mixed-use zoning, scaled to how many affordable units the project includes. Section 90-166 separately grants senior citizen housing developments (20 or more units) a 20 to 35 percent density bonus, and § 90-167 allows an additional bonus, measured in square footage, for projects that include a qualifying childcare facility. 5 spaces for four-plus-bedroom units, with fractional totals rounded up.
Violations & Fines
Section 90-165 requires the developer to record a written affordability agreement as a covenant running with the land before occupancy of any density-bonus unit, binding the developer and successors for a minimum of 30 years and giving the city the right to enforce it through legal and equitable remedies, including specific performance. Selling or renting restricted units above the affordable housing cost or affordable rent set by state Health and Safety Code sections breaches that covenant and is enforceable by the city.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big does a Hemet housing project need to be for a density bonus?
What is the maximum density bonus Hemet will grant?
Do density bonus projects get reduced parking requirements in Hemet?
How long must density bonus units stay affordable in Hemet?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hemet
California rules heatmap·Compare Hemet to another location·View the California zoning overlays & bonuses overview
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Density Bonus Law in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Riverside County handle density bonus law.