Rohnert Park, CA Zoning Overlays & Bonuses: Density Bonus Law (2026)
Key Facts
- Basis
- Implements State Density Bonus Law, Gov. Code § 65915
- Reviewer
- Development services director processes bonus, concession, waiver requests
- Rental term
- Affordable rental units carry a fifty-five-year agreement term
- For-sale term
- For-sale affordable units carry a forty-five-year resale restriction
- Appeals
- Project decisions appeal under RPMC Chapter 17.25, Article XII
Summary
Rohnert Park implements the State Density Bonus Law locally through RPMC § 17.08.020, letting any eligible housing development apply for extra units, parking reductions, concessions or standard waivers above the maximum allowable residential density in exchange for affordable units. The city's development services director determines eligibility and processes bonus, concession and waiver requests alongside the project's other permits.
A.Purpose. ... This section shall apply to any housing development project that is eligible to receive a density bonus pursuant to the State Density Bonus Law. ... "State Density Bonus Law" means California Government Code Section 65915 et seq., as the same may be renumbered or amended. ... Affordable rental units provided by a housing development to meet State Density Bonus Law requirements shall be subject to an affordable housing agreement recorded against the housing development with a fifty-five-year term commencing upon the issuance of certificates of occupancy.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 51 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
020 applies to any housing development eligible for a density bonus under state law, and its purpose and applicability clauses (A and B) confirm the section only exists to implement that state scheme locally rather than to create an independent city bonus. , by reference in subsection D, and gives the development services director authority to write and update administrative guidelines without further city council or planning commission action as state law changes. An applicant must submit a detailed project summary table showing base units, maximum allowable density before any bonus, proposed affordable units by income level, the requested bonus percentage, and parking counts, plus a site plan, legal description, boundary survey and identification of every concession or waiver sought (subsection E).
5 (subsection F). Where the city grants a density bonus, affordable rental units must be secured by a recorded affordable housing agreement with a fifty-five-year term running from the certificate of occupancy, and for-sale affordable units carry a forty-five-year resale restriction, both approved as to form by the city attorney (subsection G). 25, Article XII appeal process, and an applicant may separately pursue judicial review of a density bonus, incentive or concession denial under Government Code § 65915 (subsection H).
Violations & Fines
Because the density bonus program is not a self-executing entitlement, building or occupying additional density-bonus units without the recorded affordable housing agreement required by RPMC § 17.08.020(G), or without the underlying discretionary approval, puts the project out of compliance with its own permit conditions and the fifty-five or forty-five-year affordability term the city attorney must approve before certificates of occupancy issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Rohnert Park have its own density bonus program?
How long must density bonus affordable units stay affordable in Rohnert Park?
What has to be submitted with a Rohnert Park density bonus application?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rohnert Park
California rules heatmap·Compare Rohnert Park to another location·View the California zoning overlays & bonuses overview
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Density Bonus Law in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Sonoma County handle density bonus law.