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

Section 14.09.210.010 states Vacaville's density bonus chapter implements State Government Code Section 65915 et seq., the State Density Bonus Law, and applies in every zoning district that allows residential uses under Section 14.09.210.020. Section 14.09.210.030(A) lists seven ways a housing development of five or more units can qualify: reserving 5 percent of units for very-low-income households (as defined by Health and Safety Code Section 50105), 10 percent for low-income households (Section 50079.5), or 10 percent for moderate-income households for a for-sale project (Section 50093); building senior housing or an age-restricted mobile home park with no affordable set-aside required; reserving 10 percent for transitional foster youth, disabled veterans, or homeless persons at very-low-income rents; dedicating 20 percent to full-time college students at low-income rents; or making the entire development, 100 percent of units, affordable to lower-income households with up to 20 percent at moderate income.

The size of the bonus scales with the affordable share under Section 14.09.210.030(B). For very-low-income set-asides, each additional percentage point above the 5 percent minimum adds 2.5 percent to the density bonus, up to a 35 percent maximum. For low-income set-asides, each point above the 10 percent minimum adds 1.5 percent, also capped at 35 percent. For moderate-income for-sale projects, each point above 10 percent (up to 40 percent) adds 1 percent to the bonus, and above 40 percent moderate-income the bonus accelerates by 3.75 percent per point, up to a 50 percent cap. A developer qualifying under this chapter can combine the density bonus with development incentives and concessions the State Density Bonus Law makes available, layered on top of the base density allowed by the underlying zoning district.