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

Sec. 4100 states the density bonus program's purpose is to encourage affordable and rental housing by offering increased density and flexible development standards in exchange. Sec. 4102(a) grants a fifteen percent density bonus above the maximum density designation for projects built entirely as market-rate multiple-family rental housing, on condition the units remain available as rental housing for a minimum of thirty years after the certificate of occupancy issues. Sec. 4104, to projects that set aside at least twenty percent of total units for lower income households or at least ten percent for very low income households.

A project meeting both the lower- and very-low-income thresholds does not stack a second density bonus but does still qualify for one additional incentive. Sec. 4102(b)(3) allows projects that clear the twenty-five percent threshold to be granted up to a fifty percent bonus by providing the maximum feasible number of very low, lower, and moderate income units above the twenty-five percent minimum, with the feasible number determined through the process set out later in the article. The article's definitions section, Sec. 4101, ties affordable housing costs to the state Department of Housing and Community Development's published limits for San Mateo County, while BMR (below market rate) units are administered through an affordability agreement or compliance agreement recorded against the property and enforced by the City Attorney's office and the Planning Division.