Yucaipa, CA Zoning Overlays & Bonuses: Density Bonus Law (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Yucaipa Development Code § 83.010720
- Top bonus
- 80 percent and four concessions for 100 percent affordable projects
- Senior housing bonus
- 20 percent
- Student housing bonus
- 35 percent plus one concession
- Minimum project size
- Five or more residential units
- Affordability term
- 55 years for very low and low-income rentals
- Local SB330 bonus
- 30 percent; total bonuses capped at 100 percent
Summary
In the City of Yucaipa, Development Code Article 7 implements the State Density Bonus Law. A project that is 100 percent lower or very low income earns an 80 percent bonus and four concessions, senior projects earn 20 percent, and student housing earns 35 percent plus one concession. The Community Development Director reviews each request.
If a project meets the requirements set forth in section 83.010715, the applicant shall be entitled to a density bonus calculated as set forth herein. Each component of any density calculation, including base density and bonus density, resulting in fractional units shall be separately rounded up to the next whole number. A. 100% Affordable Housing Development. If 100 percent of the units in the housing development are lower income or very low-income units, excluding manager's units, with up to 20 percent of the units for moderate income households, the City shall allow an 80 percent maximum density bonus and four (4) concessions or incentives meeting all the applicable eligibility requirements of this Chapter. ... E. Senior citizen housing development. A senior citizen housing development that meets the requirements of section 83.010715D shall be entitled to a 20 percent density bonus. A 100% increase in density may be permitted in the City's RM-72C and RM-10M district. ... G. Student housing development. A student housing development that meets the requirements of section 83.010715F shall be entitled to a 35 percent density bonus and shall be entitled to one (1) concession or incentive.
Full Breakdown
Yucaipa Development Code § 83.010720 sets the density bonus amounts for the City of Yucaipa, San Bernardino County, California. Article 7 of Division DC3 was adopted by Ordinance 435 in 2023 to implement the State Density Bonus Law and the city's Housing Element. A housing development means five or more residential units.
Eligibility under § 83.010715 starts with at least 5 percent of total units restricted for very low-income households, at least 10 percent for lower income households, or at least 10 percent sold to moderate income households. Senior citizen housing, projects with 10 percent of units for transitional foster youth, disabled veterans or homeless persons (with a 55 year affordability restriction), and full-time student housing with 20 percent lower income units also qualify.
The bonus tables in § 83.010720 scale with the share of affordable units. For very low-income projects, 5 percent to 9 percent of units earns a 20 percent to 30 percent bonus and one concession, while 15 percent to 99 percent earns a 50 percent bonus and three concessions. A senior project earns 20 percent, and a 100 percent increase can be permitted in the city's RM-72C and RM-10M districts. Fractional units are rounded up separately for base and bonus density.
Other provisions stack on top. Parking is capped on request, and § 83.010730 caps rental and for-sale projects near major transit at 0.5 spaces per unit in listed cases and 0 spaces per unit for qualifying 100 percent affordable rentals. Development standards that physically block the project can be waived without limit under § 83.010735. Land donation of at least one acre earns up to 35 percent, a childcare facility earns added floor area or a concession, and an apartment-to-condominium conversion earns a 25 percent unit increase.
Section 83.010760 adds a local SB330 bonus of 30 percent, decided by the Planning Commission on sites of at least one acre, with total bonuses capped at 100 percent. Under § 83.010755 the Director reviews the application and recommends, and the project's decision-making body decides.
Violations & Fines
Article 7 enforces through conditions rather than a fine schedule. Under § 83.010765, affordable units must be built at the same time as market-rate units, the bonus cannot be transferred to another development, and the owner must give the city a yearly accounting of occupied and vacant units by income level. Low-income rentals stay affordable for 55 years, and the City Attorney's form of density bonus agreement can be required.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big a density bonus can a project get in the City of Yucaipa?
What income levels qualify a project for a bonus?
Who decides a density bonus request in Yucaipa?
Can a Yucaipa developer get reduced parking with a density bonus?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Yucaipa
California rules heatmap·Compare Yucaipa to another location·View the California zoning overlays & bonuses overview
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Density Bonus Law in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Bernardino County handle density bonus law.