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

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified May 2026

Key Facts

Authority
Gov Code 65915
Maximum bonus
Up to 100%
Concessions
Up to 4
Recent updates
AB 1287, AB 2334

Summary

Riverside County implements California Government Code 65915 density bonus law, granting up to 50 percent additional units, parking reductions, and incentives for projects providing affordable, senior, or special-needs housing.

City-specific rules exist: Corona, Moreno Valley, Murrieta, Temecula, Palm Springs, and Riverside have their own density bonus law rules that differ from Riverside County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

(a)(1) When an applicant seeks a density bonus for a housing development within, or for the donation of land for housing within, the jurisdiction of a city, county, or city and county, that local government shall comply with this section. A city, county, or city and county shall adopt an ordinance that specifies how compliance with this section will be implemented. Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (s), failure to adopt an ordinance shall not relieve a city, county, or city and county from complying with this section. [...] (b)(1) A city, county, or city and county shall grant one density bonus, the amount of which shall be as specified in subdivision (f), and, if requested by the applicant and consistent with the applicable requirements of this section, incentives or concessions, as described in subdivision (d), waivers or reductions of development standards, as described in subdivision (e), and parking ratios, as described in subdivision (p), if an applicant for a housing development seeks and agrees to construct a housing development, excluding any units permitted by the density bonus awarded pursuant to this section, that will contain at least any one of the following: (A) Ten percent of the total units of a housing development, including a shared housing building development, for rental or sale to lower income households, as defined in Section 50079.5 of the Health and Safety Code. (B) Five percent of the total units of a housing development, including a shared housing building development, for rental or sale to very low income households, as defined in Section 50105 of the Health and Safety Code. [...] (D) Ten percent of the total dwelling units of a housing development are sold to persons and families of moderate income, as defined in Section 50093 of the Health and Safety Code, provided that all units in the development are offered to the public for purchase.

Source: California Government Code 65915View official code

Full Breakdown

Under Gov Code 65915, qualifying projects receive bonus density tied to the share of restricted affordable units, plus up to four concessions and unlimited waivers of standards that physically preclude development. AB 2334 and AB 1287 expand bonuses for very-low and 100-percent-affordable projects to as much as 100 percent. Riverside County applies the law countywide in unincorporated areas and through Ord. 348 implementation tools. Specific plan zones honor the bonus unless a stricter local affordable program is in effect.

Violations & Fines

Cities or counties cannot deny or reduce a compliant density-bonus project except under the limited findings allowed by state law; refusal can lead to Housing Accountability Act litigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does it apply to small projects?
Yes. Even projects with five units may qualify if they reserve a percentage as deed-restricted affordable to lower-income households.
Can HOAs override density bonus?
No. CC&Rs cannot defeat state density bonus, though HOA design review may apply for nonconflicting elements.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Riverside County

All Riverside County rules

California rules heatmap·Compare Riverside County to another location·View the California zoning overlays & bonuses overview

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Density Bonus Law in Cities Across Riverside County