Madera County, CA Zoning Overlays & Bonuses: Density Bonus Law (2026)
Key Facts
- Governs
- unincorporated Madera County only
- State basis
- implements Gov. Code § 65915
- Very-low-income bonus
- up to 35% at 11% units
- Senior housing bonus
- flat 20%
- Conflict rule
- state law controls over county chapter
Summary
Unincorporated Madera County grants density bonuses of up to 35 percent for housing projects meeting affordability thresholds, implementing state Government Code § 65915, which controls if the county's own schedule conflicts with it.
This chapter implements Government Code Section 65915, which requires the County to provide incentives for affordable housing, senior housing, and child care facilities. In the event of any conflict between this chapter and Section 65915 of the Government Code, the provisions of the Government Code shall apply.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 52).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 18.114, adopted by Ordinance No. 669 in 2014, implements Government Code § 65915's mandate that counties incentivize affordable, senior, and child-care housing. The county's own bonus schedule tracks the state formula: for example, 5 percent very-low-income units earns a 20 percent density bonus, rising to 35 percent at 11 percent very-low-income units, with parallel sliding scales for low-income and moderate-income common-interest projects and a flat 20 percent bonus for qualifying senior housing developments. Section 18.114.010 states plainly that where the chapter conflicts with Government Code § 65915, the state statute controls.
Violations & Fines
Failing to meet the affordability, income-restriction, or land-donation requirements disqualifies a project from Chapter 18.114's density bonus, and the county cannot grant a bonus below what Government Code § 65915 separately requires.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Madera County's density bonus chapter override state law?
Can I get a density bonus for market-rate housing in unincorporated Madera County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Madera County
California rules heatmap·Compare Madera 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 If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.