Berkeley applies higher densities and reduced parking near BART stations and major AC Transit corridors through Downtown, Adeline, and Telegraph plans, aligning with state TOD streamlining laws.
Berkeley layers transit-oriented zoning through specific plans and area zoning around Downtown Berkeley BART, North Berkeley BART, Ashby BART, the Adeline Corridor Plan, and Telegraph Avenue. These districts allow higher floor area ratios, taller buildings, mixed use, and reduced parking. State laws AB 2097 and SB 35 add streamlining and parking elimination near major transit stops, which Berkeley must apply citywide. The 2023 state-mandated North Berkeley and Ashby BART rezoning unlocked thousands of potential units on BART-owned parcels under the joint development MOU between Berkeley and BART.
Misapplication of transit overlay rules exposes Berkeley to state Housing Accountability Act suits and HCD Housing Element decertification with significant funding consequences.
Berkeley, CA
Berkeley implements California Government Code 65915 density bonus, granting up to 50 percent additional units and concessions for projects providing afforda...
Berkeley, CA
Berkeley operates one of the first comprehensive Bicycle Boulevard networks in the US, with low-stress neighborhood routes, protected lanes on Hearst and Ful...
See how other cities in Alameda County handle transit-oriented communities (toc).
See how Berkeley's transit-oriented communities (toc) rules stack up against other locations.
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