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

400 adopts Government Code Sections 65915 through 65918, the State Density Bonus Law, into Norwalk's zoning code to encourage the production of very low-, low-, and moderate-income housing units, senior citizens housing units, childcare facilities, student housing units, and donations of land. Under subsection (D)(1)(a), a housing development of five or more units qualifies for a density bonus if it sets aside, beyond the bonus units themselves, at least 5% of total units for very low-income households, 10% for low-income households, or, for for-sale projects only, 10% for moderate-income households; a qualifying senior citizen housing development, land donation, or childcare facility also triggers a bonus.

400-1 scales the number of incentives and concessions an applicant may request, from one incentive at the minimum thresholds up to five incentives for a 100% affordable, or 80% very-low/20% moderate-income, project. Applicants can also request waivers or reductions of development standards such as height, setbacks, FAR, open space, and off-street parking, and the City cannot cap how many waivers it grants under State law. 400-2, tied to Government Code Section 65915(p). Projects are disqualified from any bonus if they propose to build on a site where affordable or rent-controlled rental units were vacated or demolished in the preceding five years, unless the project replaces those units at the same affordability levels.