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

Chapter 17.96, adopted by Ordinance No. 977 in October 2011, applies to all zoning districts that allow residential uses under Section 17.96.020. Section 17.96.030 makes any proposed housing development, including a residential tentative subdivision map, that would create five or more dwelling units eligible to apply for a density bonus, incentives, and concessions consistent with California Government Code Section 65915. Section 17.96.040 ties the actual bonus amount and available incentives directly to the schedule in Government Code Section 65915(f) and (d) rather than setting a separate city figure.

Applications go to the Planning Division of the Community Development Department under Section 17.96.050 and must include a project description, unit counts and sizes, the number of units reserved for extremely low, very low, or low income households or seniors, the zoning and general plan designation, a site plan, and a list of requested concessions with justification; the application is processed alongside the project's other entitlements and decided by the planning commission or city council at the same hearing, or by the community development director if no other hearing applies.

Section 17.96.060 requires the city and applicant to agree on a method assuring continued availability of the density bonus units for thirty years, or longer if a financing, mortgage insurance, or rental subsidy program requires it. The chapter also intersects with Chapter 17.95's inclusionary housing requirement, adopted separately by Ordinance No. 1195 in November 2025, which triggers on projects of ten or more units.