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

TOMC Sec. 501 adopts the state Density Bonus Law as the City's own program: any person seeking a density bonus, concession, or waiver must comply with the Government Code requirements rather than a separate local formula. Sec. 502(a) requires the applicant to submit a density bonus application on a Community Development Director-approved form at the same time as the entitlement application for the housing development. Under Sec. 502(b), the Planning Commission or City Council retains discretion to grant a bonus greater than the code minimum for projects that exceed program requirements, or a proportionately lower bonus for projects that fall short.

Sec. 502(c) makes clear the City is not obligated to provide financial incentives such as subsidies, publicly owned land, or fee waivers, though it may choose to at its sole discretion, and any such incentive can be conditioned on payment of prevailing wages. Sec. 503(a) requires the Community Development Director to find the application complete and Density Bonus Law-compliant before the decision-making body acts, and Sec. 503(b) directs the approval body to approve the plan unless it makes the findings for denial the Density Bonus Law allows.

Minor changes substantially consistent with an approved plan are processed as minor modifications at the Director's discretion; more substantial changes go through major modification review. Sec. 504 ties affordable unit standards to Sec. 305 and Sec. 308 of the City's Inclusionary Housing Program. The current text traces to Ord. 1506-NS, effective October 9, 2008, and was last amended by Sec. 7 of Ord. 1733-NS, effective January 3, 2025.