Woodland, CA Zoning Overlays & Bonuses: Density Bonus Law (2026)
Key Facts
- Bonus basis
- Implements Gov. Code § 65915 density bonus law
- Where to apply
- Community Development Director, with development application
- Monitoring fee
- City cannot charge one except as State law allows
- Childcare bonus
- Extra density bonus for qualifying on-site childcare
- Parking reduction
- Available under Gov. Code § 65915(p) with evidence
Summary
Woodland grants density bonuses, incentives, concessions, and parking reductions as a matter of right to qualifying affordable, senior, disabled-veteran, and homeless housing projects under Section 15.16.090 of the Municipal Code, which implements California Government Code Section 65915. Applicants file the request with the Community Development Director alongside their planned development or design review application, and the City cannot charge a monitoring fee to track continued affordability beyond what State law allows.
§ 15.16.090. Incentives available—Density bonus. A. Purpose. The purpose of this section is to establish procedures for implementing state density bonus and incentive requirements, as set forth in California Government Code Sections 65915 through 65918 (as may be amended). B. As a matter of right for qualified projects, a developer shall be eligible for density bonuses, incentives and concessions, waivers or reductions to development standards, and parking ratios as permitted under Government Code Section 65915, et seq., for on-site construction of affordable units, senior citizen housing developments, residential care facilities, lower income student housing, and housing for transitional foster youth, disabled veterans, or homeless persons, or as otherwise eligible under State law. ... ... D. Submittal Requirements. ... 6. Fees. ... Applicant must pay all fees as then established by resolution of the City Council. a. The City shall not charge a monitoring fee to ensure continued affordability of a housing development except as provided in Government Code Section 65915.3.
Full Breakdown
Section 15.16.090 sits in Chapter 15.16, Woodland's affordable housing chapter, and sets the local procedure for the density bonus, incentives, concessions, waivers, and parking ratio reductions that Government Code Section 65915 makes available to qualifying housing development projects. A developer requesting any of these benefits must submit the request to the Director of Community Development together with the application for the planned development, design review, or other permit the housing project needs, and the Director must notify the applicant whether the submittal is complete under the standards in Government Code Section 65915.
The completeness determination is based on the project as proposed when the application is deemed complete, and the amount of density bonus, incentives, waivers, and parking awarded is adjusted if the project changes during development review. Applicants must submit a detailed description of the requested density bonus, including the maximum density allowed without it and the number and income level of units proposed, plus documentation supporting any requested concession, incentive, or waiver of a development standard that would otherwise physically preclude the affordable project. Requests for reduced parking ratios under Government Code Section 65915(p) must include evidence on proximity to the nearest major transit stop and its service frequency.
Applicants pay all fees the City Council sets by resolution, but Section 15.16.090(D)(6)(a) bars the City from charging a monitoring fee to track continued affordability except where Government Code Section 65915.3 allows it. A project that includes a qualifying childcare facility receives an additional density bonus equal to the facility's square footage or an equivalent concession, and the facility must stay in operation at least as long as the bonus units remain affordable.
Violations & Fines
An approved density bonus, incentive, or waiver is tied to the planned development or design review permit that granted it, so violating a condition of that permit is enforced like any other Zoning Code breach: Section 17.128.040 makes noncompliance a misdemeanor, chargeable as an infraction at the enforcing officer's discretion, with each day of a continuing violation a separate offense. The Community Development Director will not deem an incomplete density bonus application submitted, and the decision maker can revise the density, incentives, waivers, or parking awarded if the project changes before final approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I request a density bonus for a Woodland housing project?
Does Woodland charge a fee to monitor affordability after a density bonus is granted?
Can the density bonus amount change after I apply?
Is a childcare facility eligible for extra density bonus in Woodland?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Woodland
California rules heatmap·Compare Woodland to another location·View the California zoning overlays & bonuses overview
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How other cities in Yolo County handle density bonus law.