California Government Code §65915 and SDMC §142.1305 grant up to 50 percent additional density, parking reductions, and waivers when developers reserve units for very-low, low, or moderate-income households or seniors.
California's State Density Bonus Law in Gov. Code §65915 entitles developers to bonus density and incentives based on the share of restricted-affordable units. AB-1287 (2023) raised the maximum bonus to 50 percent for projects mixing very-low and moderate-income units. San Diego implements the program at SDMC §142.1305, allowing waivers from height, floor-area, lot-coverage, and parking standards when needed to make affordable units feasible. The Affordable Housing Density Bonus is processed administratively by Development Services if requirements are met. Coastal Zone projects must still secure a Coastal Development Permit. Additional Affordable Homes Bonus Program permits projects of 100 percent affordability with even greater concessions, and SB-330 protects approved projects from later changes in standards.
Cities cannot deny qualifying density bonus requests under Gov. Code §65915 unless specific findings are made. Owners failing to maintain affordability covenants face deed-restriction enforcement, Department of Housing audits, and recapture of subsidies through HUD or California HCD.
See how San Diego's density bonus law rules stack up against other locations.
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