Stanislaus County, CA Zoning Overlays & Bonuses: Density Bonus Law (2026)
Key Facts
- Base density bonus
- 20% for 5% very low or 10% low income units
- Maximum bonus
- Up to 80% for 100% affordable projects
- Rental affordability term
- 55 years minimum
- Moderate-income bonus
- 5% for 10% moderate-income condo units
- Governing law
- Cal. Gov't Code § 65915, County Code Ch. 21.82
Summary
Stanislaus County grants a 20 percent density bonus over the maximum allowed residential density to any housing development that sets aside at least 5 percent of its units for very low income households or 10 percent for low income households, under County Code § 21.82.020(C)(1), implementing California Government Code § 65915.
The intent of the density bonus program is to contribute significantly to the economic feasibility of affordable housing in proposed developments by offering incentives to developers consisting of density bonuses or other concessions of equal financial value, in compliance with California Government Code Sections 65915 through 65918... Very Low and Low Income Housing and Housing for Special Populations. Upon written request to the county, an applicant for a housing development is eligible for one density bonus of twenty percent over the maximum residential density provided that the applicant agrees to construct the housing development in accordance with one of the following criteria: a. Very Low Income Households. At least five 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 b. Low Income Households. At least ten percent of the total dwelling units, excluding any units permitted by the density bonus, are provided at affordable rent or ownership costs to low income households.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 21.82 adopts the state Government Code § 65915 density bonus program into county code for the unincorporated area. A housing development qualifies for a bonus above the otherwise maximum residential density when the developer commits, in writing to the county, to build a defined share of affordable units (§ 21.82.020). The base tier grants a 20 percent density bonus when at least 5 percent of total units (excluding the bonus units themselves) are affordable to very low income households, or when at least 10 percent are affordable to low income households; a senior housing development of at least 35 units, or a qualifying age-restricted mobile home park, also qualifies (§ 21.82.020(C)(1)).
A smaller 5 percent bonus is available for common-interest (condominium) projects that price at least 10 percent of units for moderate income buyers and sell every unit to the public (§ 21.82.020(C)(2)). Developments that reserve 100 percent of the bonus units for very low or low income households can receive up to an 80 percent bonus, and face no maximum density cap at all if the project sits within a half-mile of a major transit stop or in a designated low-vehicle-travel area (§ 21.82.020(C)(3)). Developers can also request incentives or development-standard concessions layered on top of the density bonus, one concession for the lowest qualifying tier of affordable units, up to three for the highest, plus added bonus density for land donations and on-site child care facilities (§ 21.82.020(D)-(F), § 21.82.040).
Rental units that earn a density bonus must stay affordable for 55 years, and for-sale units must remain affordable under the equity-sharing terms required by Government Code § 65915 (§ 21.82.030).
Violations & Fines
A developer who fails to record and honor the affordability covenant after receiving bonus density units, or who converts restricted units to market rate before the 55-year rental affordability term or the required for-sale equity-sharing period expires, is in breach of the density bonus agreement and can be pursued by the county for enforcement of the recorded restrictions under § 21.82.030.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much of a density bonus can a Stanislaus County affordable project get?
How long must density-bonus rental units stay affordable in Stanislaus County?
Can I get extra concessions beyond the density bonus itself?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Stanislaus County
California rules heatmap·Compare Stanislaus County to another location·View the California zoning overlays & bonuses overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.