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

Section 16-410.3 of the Oxnard Code of Ordinances lists the project types eligible for a density bonus: developments with a minimum affordable housing component under Cal. Gov't Code Section 65915(b) per Section 16-410.8; senior citizen housing developments; developments reserving units for transitional foster youth, disabled veterans, or homeless persons, which carry a 55-year recorded affordability restriction at very-low-income levels; student housing developments; and developments where 100% of units are for lower-income households, of which up to 20% may instead serve moderate-income households. Land donations for very low income housing under Section 16-410.11 also qualify.

Section 16-410.3(H) requires the density-bonus units sit on contiguous sites under one development application, though they need not share a subdivision map. Section 16-410.3(I) carves out the coastal zone: citing Kalnel Gardens v. City of Los Angeles (2016) 3 Cal. App. 5th 927, the city may deny a bonus there if the project cannot feasibly conform to the California Coastal Act. Section 16-410.4 requires the application fee set by City Council resolution, and Section 16-410.5 requires the affordable housing developer to file the density bonus permit application per Sections 16-410.5 and 16-410.6.

Section 16-410.8 ties the bonus percentage to how far the applicant's affordable set-aside exceeds the state minimum, with fractional units rounded up per Cal. Gov't Code Section 65915(f)(5). Under Section 16-410.6(E), approval of the density bonus, incentives, concessions, or waivers rests with whichever city body approves the underlying development permit, and the decision is only appealable if the city denies the request without written findings that justify the denial.