Section § 65913

Explanation

This law highlights the severe shortage of affordable housing in California and emphasizes the need for reform to encourage new housing development. It proposes changes to quicken the residential development process, ensure sufficient zoning for affordable housing, and push local governments to cut costs and offer incentives that facilitate affordable housing projects, especially for low to moderate income families and the elderly. The law also addresses the impact of permit processes and land use regulations on raising costs or halting necessary housing projects, highlighting the need for legislative changes to support housing development.

(a)CA Government Code § 65913(a) The Legislature finds and declares that there exists a severe shortage of affordable housing, especially for persons and families of low and moderate income, and that there is an immediate need to encourage the development of new housing, not only through the provision of financial assistance, but also through changes in law designed to do all of the following:
(1)CA Government Code § 65913(a)(1) Expedite the local and state residential development process.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913(a)(2) Assure that local governments zone sufficient land at densities high enough for production of affordable housing.
(3)CA Government Code § 65913(a)(3) Assure that local governments make a diligent effort through the administration of land use and development controls and the provision of regulatory concessions and incentives to significantly reduce housing development costs and thereby facilitate the development of affordable housing, including housing for elderly persons and families, as defined by Section 50067 of the Health and Safety Code.
These changes in the law are consistent with the responsibility of local government to adopt the program required by subdivision (c) of Section 65583.
(b)CA Government Code § 65913(b) The Legislature further finds and declares that the costs of new housing developments have been increased, in part, by the existing permit process and by existing land use regulations and that vitally needed housing developments have been halted or rendered infeasible despite the benefits to the public health, safety, and welfare of those developments and despite the absence of adverse environmental impacts. It is, therefore, necessary to enact this chapter and to amend existing statutes which govern housing development so as to provide greater encouragement for local and state governments to approve needed and sound housing developments.

Section § 65913.1

Explanation

This law requires cities and counties to zone enough land for housing across all income levels, ensuring that housing needs, as outlined in their general plans, are met. The land designated for residential use must meet 'appropriate standards,' which involves having zoning rules that balance factors like density and affordability with public health and safety.

'Vacant land' for this purpose excludes agricultural preserves. If a city or county has less than 5% undeveloped land, it doesn't have to zone urban areas for housing at much higher densities than nearby areas.

(a)CA Government Code § 65913.1(a) In exercising its authority to zone for land uses and in revising its housing element pursuant to Article 10.6 (commencing with Section 65580) of Chapter 3, a city, county, or city and county shall designate and zone sufficient vacant land for residential use with appropriate standards, in relation to zoning for nonresidential use, and in relation to growth projections of the general plan to meet housing needs for all income categories as identified in the housing element of the general plan. For the purposes of this section:
(1)CA Government Code § 65913.1(a)(1) “Appropriate standards” means densities and requirements with respect to minimum floor areas, building setbacks, rear and side yards, parking, the percentage of a lot that may be occupied by a structure, amenities, and other requirements imposed on residential lots pursuant to the zoning authority which contribute significantly to the economic feasibility of producing housing at the lowest possible cost given economic and environmental factors, the public health and safety, and the need to facilitate the development of housing affordable to persons and families of low or moderate income, as defined in Section 50093 of the Health and Safety Code, and to persons and families of lower income, as defined in Section 50079.5 of the Health and Safety Code. However, nothing in this section shall be construed to enlarge or diminish the authority of a city, county, or city and county to require a developer to construct this housing.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.1(a)(2) “Vacant land” does not include agricultural preserves pursuant to Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 51200) of Part 1 of Division 1 of Title 5.
(b)CA Government Code § 65913.1(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a city, county, or city and county in which less than 5 percent of the total land area is undeveloped to zone a site within an urbanized area of that city, county, or city and county for residential uses at densities that exceed those on adjoining residential parcels by 100 percent. For the purposes of this section, “urbanized area” means a central city or cities and surrounding closely settled territory, as defined by the United States Department of Commerce Bureau of the Census in the Federal Register, Volume 39, Number 85, for Wednesday, May 1, 1974, at pages 15202-15203, and as periodically updated.

Section § 65913.2

Explanation

This law section tells cities and counties in California how to regulate new housing developments. They should not create design or improvement rules that make building housing too difficult for different income levels. Plus, they must consider local housing needs when creating laws and actions.

Also, they can't set stricter public improvement standards (like for roads or sewers) for new developments than for similar areas they already manage.

In exercising its authority to regulate subdivisions under Division 2 (commencing with Section 66410), a city, county, or city and county shall:
(a)CA Government Code § 65913.2(a) Refrain from imposing criteria for design, as defined in Section 66418, or improvements, as defined in Section 66419, for the purpose of rendering infeasible the development of housing for any and all economic segments of the community. However, nothing in this section shall be construed to enlarge or diminish the authority of a city, county, or city and county under other provisions of law to permit a developer to construct such housing.
(b)CA Government Code § 65913.2(b) Consider the effect of ordinances adopted and actions taken by it with respect to the housing needs of the region in which the local jurisdiction is situated.
(c)CA Government Code § 65913.2(c) Refrain from imposing standards and criteria for public improvements including, but not limited to, streets, sewers, fire stations, schools, or parks, which exceed the standards and criteria being applied by the city, county, or city and county at that time to its publicly financed improvements located in similarly zoned districts within that city, county, or city and county.

Section § 65913.3

Explanation

This California law requires local and state agencies to create detailed lists of what information is needed from applicants for certain permits after a development project has been approved in principle (postentitlement). Agencies must provide examples of completed applications online by certain deadlines, and they have strict timelines to determine if applications are complete, notify applicants, and finalize their review of the applications.

If an application is deemed incomplete, the agency must inform the applicant what is missing. If no timely determination is made, the application is deemed complete. For housing projects, different review timelines apply depending on the number of units. Applicants can appeal agency decisions, and appeals must be resolved within set timeframes.

If agencies fail to meet the deadlines, some permits may automatically be approved or reviewed as complete, depending on whether the failure was by a local or state agency. Flexible time extensions can be agreed upon between the agency and the applicant under certain circumstances. Specific definitions related to the permit types and applicable agencies are provided to clarify the law.

(a)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.3(a)
(1)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.3(a)(1) A local agency or state agency shall compile one or more lists that shall specify in detail the information that will be required from any applicant for a postentitlement phase permit. The local agency or state agency may revise the lists of information required from an applicant. Any revised list shall not apply to any permit pending review.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.3(a)(2) A local agency or state agency shall post an example of a complete, approved application and an example of a complete set of postentitlement phase permits. A local agency shall post examples for at least five types of housing development projects in the jurisdiction, including, but not limited to, accessory dwelling unit, duplex, multifamily, mixed use, and townhome.
(3)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.3(a)(3)
(A)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.3(a)(3)(A) A local agency shall make the items required by paragraphs (1) and (2) available on the agency’s internet website no later than January 1, 2024.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.3(a)(3)(A)(B) A state agency shall make the items required by paragraphs (1) and (2) available on the agency’s internet website no later than January 1, 2026.
(b)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.3(b)
(1)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.3(b)(1) (A) A local agency or state agency shall determine whether an application for a postentitlement phase permit is complete and provide written notice of this determination to the applicant not later than 15 business days after the local agency or state agency received the application.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.3(b)(1)(B) If the local agency or state agency determines an application is incomplete, the local agency or state agency shall provide the applicant with a list of incomplete items and a description of how the application can be made complete. The list shall be limited to incomplete items that are included on the lists required by paragraph (1) of subdivision (a). The list and description shall be provided with the written notice required by subparagraph (A).
(2)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.3(b)(2)
(A)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.3(b)(2)(A) After receiving a notice that the application was incomplete, an applicant may cure and address the items that are deemed to be incomplete by the local agency or state agency.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.3(b)(2)(A)(B) In the review of an application submitted pursuant to subparagraph (A), the local agency or state agency shall not require the application to include an item that was not included in the list required by subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1).
(C)CA Government Code § 65913.3(b)(2)(A)(C) If an applicant submits an application pursuant to subparagraph (A), the local agency or state agency shall determine whether the additional application has remedied all incomplete items listed in the determination issued pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1). This additional application is subject to the timelines and requirements specified in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1).
(3)CA Government Code § 65913.3(b)(3) If a local agency or state agency does not make a timely determination as required by paragraph (1) or (2) and the application or resubmitted application states that it is for a postentitlement phase permit, the application or resubmitted application shall be deemed to be complete for the purposes of this chapter.
(c)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.3(c)
(1)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.3(c)(1) (A) For housing development projects with 25 units or fewer, a local agency or state agency shall complete the review and do either of the following:
(i)CA Government Code § 65913.3(c)(1)(i) If the local agency or state agency determines that the complete application is not compliant with the permit standards, return in writing a full set of comments to the applicant with a comprehensive request for revisions.
(ii)CA Government Code § 65913.3(c)(1)(ii) If the local agency or state agency determines that the complete application is compliant with the permit standards, return the approved permit application on each postentitlement phase permit requested.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.3(c)(1)(B) The local agency or state agency shall immediately transmit that determination to the applicant by electronic mail and, if applicable, by posting the response on its internet website in the manner prescribed in subdivision (b) of Section 65913.3.5 not later than 30 business days after the local agency or state agency determines that an application for a postentitlement phase permit is complete pursuant to subdivision (b).
(2)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.3(c)(2)
(A)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.3(c)(2)(A) For housing development projects with 26 units or more, a local agency or state agency shall complete the review and do either of the following:
(i)CA Government Code § 65913.3(c)(2)(A)(i) If the local agency or state agency determines that the complete application is not compliant with the permit standards, return in writing a full set of comments to the applicant with a comprehensive request for revisions.
(ii)CA Government Code § 65913.3(c)(2)(A)(ii) If the local agency or state agency determines that the complete application is compliant with the permit standards, return the approved permit application on each postentitlement phase permit requested.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.3(c)(2)(A)(B) The local agency or state agency shall immediately transmit that determination to the applicant by electronic mail and, if applicable, by posting the response on its internet website in the manner prescribed in subdivision (b) of Section 65913.3.5 not later than 60 business days after the local agency or state agency determines that an application for a postentitlement phase permit is complete pursuant to subdivision (b).
(3)CA Government Code § 65913.3(c)(3) Once a local agency or state agency determines that a postentitlement phase permit is compliant with applicable permit standards pursuant to paragraph (1) or (2), the local agency or state agency shall not subject the postentitlement phase permit to any appeals or additional hearing requirements.
(4)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.3(c)(4)
(A)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.3(c)(4)(A) The time limits in this subdivision shall not apply if the local agency or state agency makes written findings within the time limits specified in paragraph (1) or (2) based on substantial evidence in the record that the proposed postentitlement phase permit might have a specific, adverse impact on public health or safety and that additional time is necessary to process the application.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.3(c)(4)(A)(B) For the purposes of this paragraph, “specific, adverse impact” means a significant, quantifiable, direct, and unavoidable impact, based on objective, identified, and written public health or safety standards, policies, or conditions as they existed on the date the application was deemed complete.
(5)CA Government Code § 65913.3(c)(5) If the local agency or state agency requires review of the application by an outside entity, the time limits in this subdivision shall be tolled until the outside entity completes the review and returns the application to the local agency or state agency, at which point the local agency or state agency shall complete the review within the time remaining under the time limit, provided that the local agency or state agency notifies the applicant within three business days by electronic mail and, if applicable, by posting the notification on its internet website in the manner prescribed in subdivision (b) of Section 65913.3.5 of the tolling and resumption of the time limit.
(d)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.3(d)
(1)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.3(d)(1) If a local agency or state agency finds that a complete application is noncompliant, the local agency or state agency shall provide the applicant with a list of items that are noncompliant and a description of how the application can be remedied by the applicant within the time limits specified in subdivision (c).
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.3(d)(2) The local agency or state agency shall provide the list and description authorized by paragraph (1) when it transmits its determination to the applicant as required by subdivision (c).
(3)CA Government Code § 65913.3(d)(3) If a local agency or state agency denies a postentitlement phase permit application based on a determination that the application is noncompliant, the applicant may attempt to remedy the application.
(4)CA Government Code § 65913.3(d)(4) If an applicant submits an application pursuant to paragraph (3), the additional application is subject to the timelines of a new application as specified in subdivision (c).
(e)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.3(e)
(1)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.3(e)(1) If a postentitlement phase permit is determined to be incomplete under subdivision (b) or denied or determined to be noncompliant under subdivision (c) or (d), the local agency or state agency shall provide a process for the applicant to appeal that decision in writing to the governing body of the agency or, if there is no governing body, to the director of the agency, as provided by that agency. A city or county shall provide that the right of appeal is to the governing body or, at their option, the planning commission, or both.
(2)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.3(e)(2)
(A)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.3(e)(2)(A) With respect to a postentitlement phase permit concerning housing development projects with 25 units or fewer, a local agency or state agency on the appeal shall provide a final written determination by not later than 60 business days after receipt of the applicant’s written appeal. The fact that an appeal is permitted to both the planning commission and to the governing body of a local agency does not extend the 60-business-day period.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.3(e)(2)(A)(B) With respect to a postentitlement phase permit concerning housing development projects with 26 units or more, a local agency or state agency on the appeal shall provide a final written determination by not later than 90 business days after receipt of the applicant’s written appeal. The fact that an appeal is permitted to both the planning commission and to the governing body of a local agency does not extend the 90-business-day period.
(f)CA Government Code § 65913.3(f) If a local agency fails to meet the time limits in this section, it shall be in violation of Section 65589.5.
(g)CA Government Code § 65913.3(g) If a state agency fails to meet the time limits in this section, the permit shall be deemed approved and any related reviews shall be deemed complete.
(h)CA Government Code § 65913.3(h) This section does not place limitations on the amount of feedback that a local agency or state agency may provide or revisions that a local agency or state agency may request of an applicant.
(i)CA Government Code § 65913.3(i) For residential or residential mixed-use developments that are subject to the requirements set forth in Section 65913.4, the provisions of paragraph (2) of subdivision (h) of Section 65913.4 shall apply. Permits for these developments that are subject to paragraph (2) of subdivision (h) of Section 65913.4 shall not be in conflict with the requirements of this section. The local agency or state agency shall comply with both sets of standards.
(j)CA Government Code § 65913.3(j) This section does not preclude an applicant and a local agency or state agency from mutually agreeing to an extension of any time limit provided by this section. However, a local agency or state agency shall not require an agreement as a condition of accepting the application for, or processing of, a postentitlement phase permit, unless the agreement is obtained for the purpose of permitting concurrent processing of related approvals or an environmental review on the same housing development project.
(k)CA Government Code § 65913.3(k) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1)CA Government Code § 65913.3(k)(1) “Housing development project” has the same meaning as in paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 65905.5.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.3(k)(2) “Local agency” means any county, city, or city and county.
(3)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.3(k)(3)
(A)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.3(k)(3)(A) “Postentitlement phase permit” includes all of the following:
(i)CA Government Code § 65913.3(k)(3)(A)(i) All nondiscretionary permits and reviews that are required or issued by the local agency after the entitlement process has been completed to begin construction of a development that is intended to be at least two-thirds residential, excluding discretionary and ministerial planning permits, entitlements, and other permits and reviews that are covered under Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 65920). A postentitlement phase permit includes, but is not limited to, all of the following:
(I)CA Government Code § 65913.3(k)(3)(A)(i)(I) Building permits, and all interdepartmental reviews required for the issuance of a building permit.
(II) Permits for minor or standard offsite improvements.
(III) Permits for demolition.
(IV) Permits for minor or standard excavation and grading.
(ii)CA Government Code § 65913.3(k)(3)(A)(ii) All building permits and other permits issued under the California Building Standards Code (Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations) or any applicable local building code for the construction, demolition, or alteration of buildings, whether discretionary or nondiscretionary.
(iii)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.3(k)(3)(A)(iii)
(I)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.3(k)(3)(A)(iii)(I) Except as provided in subclause (II), any postentitlement review by a state agency that is necessary to begin construction of a development that is intended to be at least two-thirds residential, excluding discretionary and ministerial planning permits, entitlements, and other permits and reviews that are covered under Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 65920).
(II) Notwithstanding subclause (I), a postentitlement phase permit does not include either of the following:
(ia) A permit issued by a state agency acting pursuant to delegated federal permitting or enforcement authority under the federal Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. Sec. 1251 et seq.) or the federal Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 300f et seq.).
(ib) A permit authorizing discharges of waste to waters of the state.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.3(k)(3)(A)(B) A local agency or state agency may identify a threshold for determining whether a permit constitutes a “minor” or “standard” permit for the purposes of this paragraph, which shall be supported by written findings. A local agency that identifies a threshold pursuant to this subparagraph shall adopt the threshold by ordinance.
(C)CA Government Code § 65913.3(k)(3)(A)(C) A postentitlement phase permit does not include a permit required and issued by the California Coastal Commission, a special district, or a utility that is not owned and operated by a local agency.
(4)CA Government Code § 65913.3(k)(4) “State agency” has the same meaning as that term is defined in Section 11000.

Section § 65913.3

Explanation

This law outlines how special districts must handle applications related to housing development projects in California. It applies when a housing project needs services from a special district or a specific permit that requires separate approval after the main approval is complete. Special districts must notify applicants of the next steps and any needed additional information within 30 business days for projects with 25 or fewer units, and within 60 days for larger projects.

Applicants can submit requested information, and the special district must respond promptly in the same time frames. The district is not limited in how much feedback or how many requests for more information they can give but is not required to approve applications within a certain time. Definitions clarify terms like 'housing development project', 'local agency', 'postentitlement phase permit', and 'special district'.

(a)CA Government Code § 65913.3(a) This section applies to both of the following:
(1)CA Government Code § 65913.3(a)(1) An application from a housing development project for service from a special district.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.3(a)(2) An application from a housing development project for a postentitlement phase permit that a local agency deemed complete pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 65913.3 that requires separate approval from a special district.
(b)CA Government Code § 65913.3(b) A special district that receives an application pursuant to subdivision (a) shall provide written notice to the applicant, pursuant to the timelines specified in subdivision (c), of next steps in the review process, including, but not limited to, any additional information that may be required to begin to review the application for service or approval.
(c)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.3(c)
(1)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.3(c)(1) For a housing development with 25 units or fewer, a special district shall provide the written notice required by subdivision (b) within 30 business days of receipt of the application.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.3(c)(2) For a housing development with 26 units or more, a special district shall provide the written notice required by subdivision (b) within 60 business days of receipt of the application.
(d)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.3(d)
(1)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.3(d)(1) After receiving notice that an application requires additional information pursuant to subdivision (b), an applicant may provide the requested information directly to the special district.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.3(d)(2) A special district that receives additional information pursuant to paragraph (1) shall respond to the applicant with a notice that contains the information or next steps required by subdivision (b) in the applicable time period described by subdivision (c).
(3)CA Government Code § 65913.3(d)(3) A special district shall continue to review each submission by an applicant to determine additional relevant information and provide written notice of the next steps or additional information required in the applicable time periods described in subdivision (c) of each submission by the applicant.
(e)CA Government Code § 65913.3(e) This section does not limit the amount of comments, feedback, revisions, or requests for additional information a special district may provide to an applicant or to a local agency.
(f)CA Government Code § 65913.3(f) This section does not require the special district to approve the application or serve the housing development project within a specified time period.
(g)CA Government Code § 65913.3(g) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1)CA Government Code § 65913.3(g)(1) “Housing development project” has the same meaning as defined in paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 65905.5.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.3(g)(2) “Local agency” means any city, county, or city and county.
(3)CA Government Code § 65913.3(g)(3) “Postentitlement phase permit” has the same meaning as defined in Section 65913.3.
(4)CA Government Code § 65913.3(g)(4) “Special district” has the same meaning as defined in Section 56036.

Section § 65913.3

Explanation

This law requires certain local agencies in California to offer online applications for certain types of permits called "postentitlement phase permits." If an agency is in a county with over 1.1 million people or has a population of 75,000 or more, they must comply by January 1, 2024. Smaller agencies and counties have until January 1, 2028, but either can extend their compliance deadline if an online system would significantly increase permit fees.

Before full online systems are ready, agencies must at least accept permit applications and respond to inquiries via email. Online systems must also show the status of the permits and indicate whether the agency needs to review more information or if the applicant must take further action. This law applies only to 'large jurisdictions' as defined by another section of the law.

(a)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.3(a)
(1)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.3(a)(1) A local agency located in a county with a population of 1,100,000 or greater, or a local agency with a population of 75,000 or greater in any county, as determined by the 2020 census, shall comply with subdivision (b) no later than January 1, 2024.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.3(a)(2) A local agency required to comply with paragraph (1) may extend the time period described in that paragraph by up to two years if the legislative body of the local agency does both of the following by January 1, 2024:
(A)CA Government Code § 65913.3(a)(2)(A) Makes a written finding that adopting an online permitting system by January 1, 2024, would require substantial increases in permitting fees.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.3(a)(2)(B) Has initiated a procurement process for the purpose of complying with subdivision (b).
(3)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.3(a)(3)
(A)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.3(a)(3)(A) The following local agencies shall comply with subdivision (b) no later than January 1, 2028:
(i)CA Government Code § 65913.3(a)(3)(A)(i) A local agency with a population of fewer than 75,000 located in a county with a total population of less than 1,100,000, as determined by the 2020 census.
(ii)CA Government Code § 65913.3(a)(3)(A)(ii) A county with a population in the unincorporated area of fewer than 75,000, as determined by the 2020 census.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.3(a)(3)(A)(B) A local agency required to comply with subparagraph (A) may extend the time period in subparagraph (A) by up to five years if the legislative body of the local agency makes a written finding that adopting an online permitting system on or before January 1, 2028, would require substantial increases in permitting fees.
(b)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.3(b)
(1)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.3(b)(1) Subject to subdivision (a), a local agency shall provide an option for postentitlement phase permits to be applied for, completed, and retrieved by the applicant on its internet website.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.3(b)(2) Until a local agency has established the process required by paragraph (1) on its internet website, it shall accept applications for postentitlement phase permits and any related documentation by electronic mail.
(3)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.3(b)(3)
(A)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.3(b)(3)(A) The internet website shall list the current processing status of the applicant’s permit by the local agency. That status shall note whether it is being reviewed by the agency or action is required from the applicant.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.3(b)(3)(A)(B) A local agency required to accept applications by electronic mail pursuant to paragraph (2) shall respond to inquiries from an applicant regarding the current processing status of the applicant’s permit via electronic mail.
(c)CA Government Code § 65913.3(c) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), this section shall only apply to large jurisdictions, as defined in Section 53559.1 of the Health and Safety Code.
(d)CA Government Code § 65913.3(d) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1)CA Government Code § 65913.3(d)(1) “Local agency” means any county, city, or city and county, including charter cities.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.3(d)(2) “Postentitlement phase permit” has the same meaning as in Section 65913.3.

Section § 65913.4

Explanation

This law establishes a streamlined approval process for qualifying multifamily housing projects in California. It allows developers to bypass certain local permits if the projects meet specific criteria, such as being located in urban areas, providing affordable housing, and not being on environmentally sensitive land. Developers must file a notice of intent and engage in consultations with local Native American tribes about potential cultural impacts. Projects must comply with certain design and labor standards and may be exempt from some parking requirements if near transit. This section includes guidelines for tribes' interactions, labor conditions, and design standards, aiming to expedite the development of affordable, multifamily housing.

(a)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a) Except as provided in subdivision (r), a development proponent may submit an application for a development that is subject to the streamlined, ministerial approval process provided by subdivision (c) and is not subject to a conditional use permit or any other nonlegislative discretionary approval if the development complies with subdivision (b) and satisfies all of the following objective planning standards:
(1)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(1) The development is a multifamily housing development that contains two or more residential units.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(2) The development and the site on which it is located satisfy all of the following:
(A)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(2)(A) It is a legal parcel or parcels located in a city if, and only if, the city boundaries include some portion of either an urbanized area or urban cluster, as designated by the United States Census Bureau, or, for unincorporated areas, a legal parcel or parcels wholly within the boundaries of an urbanized area or urban cluster, as designated by the United States Census Bureau.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(2)(B) At least 75 percent of the perimeter of the site adjoins parcels that are developed with urban uses. For the purposes of this section, parcels that are only separated by a street or highway shall be considered to be adjoined.
(C)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(2)(C)
(i)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(2)(C)(i) A site that meets the requirements of clause (ii) and satisfies any of the following:
(I)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(2)(C)(i)(I) The site is zoned for residential use or residential mixed-use development.
(II) The site has a general plan designation that allows residential use or a mix of residential and nonresidential uses.
(III) The site meets the requirements of Section 65852.24.
(ii)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(2)(C)(i)(ii) At least two-thirds of the square footage of the development is designated for residential use. Additional density, floor area, and units, and any other concession, incentive, or waiver of development standards granted pursuant to the Density Bonus Law in Section 65915 shall be included in the square footage calculation. The square footage of the development shall not include underground space, such as basements or underground parking garages.
(3)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(3)
(A)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(3)(A) The development proponent has committed to record, prior to the issuance of the first building permit, a land use restriction or covenant providing that any lower or moderate-income housing units required pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (4) shall remain available at affordable housing costs or rent to persons and families of lower or moderate income for no less than the following periods of time:
(i)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(3)(A)(i) Fifty-five years for units that are rented.
(ii)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(3)(A)(ii) Forty-five years for units that are owned.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(3)(A)(B) The city or county shall require the recording of covenants or restrictions implementing this paragraph for each parcel or unit of real property included in the development.
(4)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(4) The development satisfies clause (i) or (ii) of subparagraph (A) and satisfies subparagraph (B) below:
(A)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(4)(A)
(i)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(4)(A)(i) For a development located in a locality that is in its sixth or earlier housing element cycle, the development is located in either of the following:
(I)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(4)(A)(i)(I) In a locality that the department has determined is subject to this clause on the basis that the number of units that have been issued building permits, as shown on the most recent production report received by the department, is less than the locality’s share of the regional housing needs, by income category, for that reporting period. A locality shall remain eligible under this subclause until the department’s determination for the next reporting period.
(II) In a locality that the department has determined is subject to this clause on the basis that the locality did not adopt a housing element that has been found in substantial compliance with housing element law (Article 10.6 (commencing with Section 65580) of Chapter 3) by the department. A locality shall remain eligible under this subclause until such time as the locality adopts a housing element that has been found in substantial compliance with housing element law (Article 10.6 (commencing with Section 65580) of Chapter 3) by the department.
(ii)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(4)(A)(i)(ii) For a development located in a locality that is in its seventh or later housing element cycle, is located in a locality that the department has determined is subject to this clause on the basis that the locality did not adopt a housing element that has been found in substantial compliance with housing element law (Article 10.6 (commencing with Section 65580) of Chapter 3) by the department by the statutory deadline, or that the number of units that have been issued building permits, as shown on the most recent production report received by the department, is less than the locality’s share of the regional housing needs, by income category, for that reporting period. A locality shall remain eligible under this subparagraph until the department’s determination for the next reporting period.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(4)(B) The development is subject to a requirement mandating a minimum percentage of below market rate housing based on one of the following:
(i)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(4)(B)(i) The locality did not adopt a housing element pursuant to Section 65588 that has been found in substantial compliance with the housing element law (Article 10.6 (commencing with Section 65580) of Chapter 3) by the department, did not submit its latest production report to the department by the time period required by Section 65400, or that production report submitted to the department reflects that there were fewer units of above moderate-income housing issued building permits than were required for the regional housing needs assessment cycle for that reporting period. In addition, if the project contains more than 10 units of housing, the project does one of the following:
(I)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(4)(B)(i)(I) For for-rent projects, the project dedicates a minimum of 10 percent of the total number of units, before calculating any density bonus, to housing affordable to households making at or below 50 percent of the area median income. However, if the locality has adopted a local ordinance that requires that greater than 10 percent of the units be dedicated to housing affordable to households making below 50 percent of the area median income, that local ordinance applies.
(II) For for-sale projects, the project dedicates a minimum of 10 percent of the total number of units, before calculating any density bonus, to housing affordable to households making at or below 80 percent of the area median income. However, if the locality has adopted a local ordinance that requires that greater than 10 percent of the units be dedicated to housing affordable to households making below 80 percent of the area median income, that local ordinance applies.
(III)
(ia) If the project is located within the San Francisco Bay area, the project, in lieu of complying with subclause (I) or (II), may opt to abide by this subclause. Projects utilizing this subclause shall dedicate 20 percent of the total number of units, before calculating any density bonus, to housing affordable to households making below 100 percent of the area median income with the average income of the units at or below 80 percent of the area median income. However, a local ordinance adopted by the locality applies if it requires greater than 20 percent of the units be dedicated to housing affordable to households making at or below 100 percent of the area median income, or requires that any of the units be dedicated at a level deeper than 100 percent. In order to comply with this subclause, the rent or sale price charged for units that are dedicated to housing affordable to households between 80 percent and 100 percent of the area median income shall not exceed 30 percent of the gross income of the household.
(ib) For purposes of this subclause, “San Francisco Bay area” means the entire area within the territorial boundaries of the Counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma, and the City and County of San Francisco.
(ii)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(4)(B)(ii)
(I)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(4)(B)(ii)(I) The locality’s latest production report reflects that there were fewer units of housing issued building permits affordable to either very low income or low-income households by income category than were required for the regional housing needs assessment cycle for that reporting period, and one of the following conditions exist:
(ia) The project seeking approval dedicates 50 percent of the total number of units, before calculating any density bonus, to housing affordable to households making at or below 80 percent of the area median income.
(ib) The project application was submitted prior to January 1, 2019, and the project includes at least 500 units of housing, the project seeking approval or seeking a modification to a prior approval dedicates 20 percent of the total number of units, before calculating any density bonus, as affordable units, with at least 9 percent affordable to households making at or below 50 percent of the area median income and the remainder affordable to households making at or below 80 percent of the area median income.
(II) Notwithstanding the conditions described in sub-subclauses (ia) and (ib) of subclause (I), if the locality has adopted a local ordinance that requires that greater than 50 percent, or greater than 20 percent as applicable, of the units be dedicated to housing affordable to households making at or below 80 percent of the area median income, that local ordinance applies.
(III) For purposes of this clause, the reference to units affordable to very low income households includes units affordable to acutely low income households, as defined in Section 50063.5 of the Health and Safety Code, and to extremely low income households, as defined in Section 50106 of the Health and Safety Code.
(iii)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(4)(B)(iii) The locality did not submit its latest production report to the department by the time period required by Section 65400, or if the production report reflects that there were fewer units of housing affordable to both income levels described in clauses (i) and (ii) that were issued building permits than were required for the regional housing needs assessment cycle for that reporting period, the project seeking approval may choose between utilizing clause (i) or (ii).
(C)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(4)(C)
(i)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(4)(C)(i) A development proponent that uses a unit of affordable housing to satisfy the requirements of subparagraph (B) may also satisfy any other local or state requirement for affordable housing, including local ordinances or the Density Bonus Law in Section 65915, provided that the development proponent complies with the applicable requirements in the state or local law. If a local requirement for affordable housing requires units that are restricted to households with incomes higher than the applicable income limits required in subparagraph (B), then units that meet the applicable income limits required in subparagraph (B) shall be deemed to satisfy those local requirements for higher income units.
(ii)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(4)(C)(i)(ii) A development proponent that uses a unit of affordable housing to satisfy any other state or local affordability requirement may also satisfy the requirements of subparagraph (B), provided that the development proponent complies with applicable requirements of subparagraph (B).
(iii)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(4)(C)(i)(iii) A development proponent may satisfy the affordability requirements of subparagraph (B) with a unit that is restricted to households with incomes lower than the applicable income limits required in subparagraph (B).
(D)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(4)(D) The amendments to this subdivision made by the act adding this subparagraph do not constitute a change in, but are declaratory of, existing law.
(5)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(5) The development, excluding any additional density or any other concessions, incentives, or waivers of development standards for which the development is eligible pursuant to the Density Bonus Law in Section 65915, is consistent with objective zoning standards, objective subdivision standards, and objective design review standards in effect at the time that the development is submitted to the local government pursuant to this section, or at the time a notice of intent is submitted pursuant to subdivision (b), whichever occurs earlier. For purposes of this paragraph, “objective zoning standards,” “objective subdivision standards,” and “objective design review standards” mean standards that involve no personal or subjective judgment by a public official and are uniformly verifiable by reference to an external and uniform benchmark or criterion available and knowable by both the development applicant or proponent and the public official before submittal. These standards may be embodied in alternative objective land use specifications adopted by a city or county, and may include, but are not limited to, housing overlay zones, specific plans, inclusionary zoning ordinances, and density bonus ordinances, subject to the following:
(A)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(5)(A) A development shall be deemed consistent with the objective zoning standards related to housing density, as applicable, if the density proposed is compliant with the maximum density allowed within that land use designation, notwithstanding any specified maximum unit allocation that may result in fewer units of housing being permitted.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(5)(B) In the event that objective zoning, general plan, subdivision, or design review standards are mutually inconsistent, a development shall be deemed consistent with the objective zoning and subdivision standards pursuant to this subdivision if the development is consistent with the standards set forth in the general plan.
(C)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(5)(C) It is the intent of the Legislature that the objective zoning standards, objective subdivision standards, and objective design review standards described in this paragraph be adopted or amended in compliance with the requirements of Chapter 905 of the Statutes of 2004.
(D)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(5)(D) The amendments to this subdivision made by the act adding this subparagraph do not constitute a change in, but are declaratory of, existing law.
(E)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(5)(E) A project that satisfies the requirements of Section 65852.24 shall be deemed consistent with objective zoning standards, objective design standards, and objective subdivision standards if the project is consistent with the provisions of subdivision (b) of Section 65852.24 and if none of the square footage in the project is designated for hotel, motel, bed and breakfast inn, or other transient lodging use, except for a residential hotel. For purposes of this subdivision, “residential hotel” shall have the same meaning as defined in Section 50519 of the Health and Safety Code.
(6)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(6) The development is not located on a site that is any of the following:
(A)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(6)(A)
(i)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(6)(A)(i) An area of the coastal zone subject to paragraph (1) or (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 30603 of the Public Resources Code.
(ii)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(6)(A)(i)(ii) An area of the coastal zone that is not subject to a certified local coastal program or a certified land use plan.
(iii)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(6)(A)(i)(iii) An area of the coastal zone that is vulnerable to five feet of sea level rise, as determined by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Ocean Protection Council, the United States Geological Survey, the University of California, or a local government’s coastal hazards vulnerability assessment.
(iv)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(6)(A)(i)(iv) In a parcel within the coastal zone that is not zoned for multifamily housing.
(v)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(6)(A)(i)(v) In a parcel in the coastal zone and located on either of the following:
(I)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(6)(A)(i)(v)(I) On, or within a 100-foot radius of, a wetland, as defined in Section 30121 of the Public Resources Code.
(II) On prime agricultural land, as defined in Sections 30113 and 30241 of the Public Resources Code.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(6)(B) Either prime farmland or farmland of statewide importance, as defined pursuant to the United States Department of Agriculture land inventory and monitoring criteria, as modified for California, and designated on the maps prepared by the Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program of the Department of Conservation, or land zoned or designated for agricultural protection or preservation by a local ballot measure that was approved by the voters of that jurisdiction.
(C)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(6)(C) Wetlands, as defined in the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Manual, Part 660 FW 2 (June 21, 1993).
(D)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(6)(D) Within a very high fire hazard severity zone, as determined by the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection pursuant to Section 51178, or within the state responsibility area, as defined in Section 4102 of the Public Resources Code. This subparagraph does not apply to sites that have adopted fire hazard mitigation measures pursuant to existing building standards or state fire mitigation measures applicable to the development, including, but not limited to, standards established under all of the following or their successor provisions:
(i)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(6)(D)(i) Section 4291 of the Public Resources Code or Section 51182, as applicable.
(ii)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(6)(D)(ii) Section 4290 of the Public Resources Code.
(iii)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(6)(D)(iii) Chapter 7A of the California Building Code (Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations).
(E)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(6)(E) A hazardous waste site that is listed pursuant to Section 65962.5 or a hazardous waste site designated by the Department of Toxic Substances Control pursuant to Section 25356 of the Health and Safety Code, unless either of the following apply:
(i)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(6)(E)(i) The site is an underground storage tank site that received a uniform closure letter issued pursuant to subdivision (g) of Section 25296.10 of the Health and Safety Code based on closure criteria established by the State Water Resources Control Board for residential use or residential mixed uses. This section does not alter or change the conditions to remove a site from the list of hazardous waste sites listed pursuant to Section 65962.5.
(ii)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(6)(E)(ii) The State Department of Public Health, State Water Resources Control Board, Department of Toxic Substances Control, or a local agency making a determination pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 25296.10 of the Health and Safety Code, has otherwise determined that the site is suitable for residential use or residential mixed uses.
(F)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(6)(F) Within a delineated earthquake fault zone as determined by the State Geologist in any official maps published by the State Geologist, unless the development complies with applicable seismic protection building code standards adopted by the California Building Standards Commission under the California Building Standards Law (Part 2.5 (commencing with Section 18901) of Division 13 of the Health and Safety Code), and by any local building department under Chapter 12.2 (commencing with Section 8875) of Division 1 of Title 2.
(G)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(6)(G) Within a special flood hazard area subject to inundation by the 1 percent annual chance flood (100-year flood) as determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in any official maps published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. If a development proponent is able to satisfy all applicable federal qualifying criteria in order to provide that the site satisfies this subparagraph and is otherwise eligible for streamlined approval under this section, a local government shall not deny the application on the basis that the development proponent did not comply with any additional permit requirement, standard, or action adopted by that local government that is applicable to that site. A development may be located on a site described in this subparagraph if either of the following are met:
(i)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(6)(G)(i) The site has been subject to a Letter of Map Revision prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and issued to the local jurisdiction.
(ii)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(6)(G)(ii) The site meets Federal Emergency Management Agency requirements necessary to meet minimum flood plain management criteria of the National Flood Insurance Program pursuant to Part 59 (commencing with Section 59.1) and Part 60 (commencing with Section 60.1) of Subchapter B of Chapter I of Title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(H)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(6)(H) Within a regulatory floodway as determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in any official maps published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, unless the development has received a no-rise certification in accordance with Section 60.3(d)(3) of Title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations. If a development proponent is able to satisfy all applicable federal qualifying criteria in order to provide that the site satisfies this subparagraph and is otherwise eligible for streamlined approval under this section, a local government shall not deny the application on the basis that the development proponent did not comply with any additional permit requirement, standard, or action adopted by that local government that is applicable to that site.
(I)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(6)(I) Lands identified for conservation in an adopted natural community conservation plan pursuant to the Natural Community Conservation Planning Act (Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 2800) of Division 3 of the Fish and Game Code), habitat conservation plan pursuant to the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. Sec. 1531 et seq.), or other adopted natural resource protection plan.
(J)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(6)(J) Habitat for protected species identified as candidate, sensitive, or species of special status by state or federal agencies, fully protected species, or species protected by the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. Sec. 1531 et seq.), the California Endangered Species Act (Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 2050) of Division 3 of the Fish and Game Code), or the Native Plant Protection Act (Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 1900) of Division 2 of the Fish and Game Code).
(K)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(6)(K) Lands under conservation easement.
(7)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(7) The development is not located on a site where any of the following apply:
(A)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(7)(A) The development would require the demolition of the following types of housing:
(i)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(7)(A)(i) Housing that is subject to a recorded covenant, ordinance, or law that restricts rents to levels affordable to persons and families of moderate, low, or very low income.
(ii)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(7)(A)(ii) Housing that is subject to any form of rent or price control through a public entity’s valid exercise of its police power.
(iii)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(7)(A)(iii) Housing that has been occupied by tenants within the past 10 years.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(7)(B) The site was previously used for housing that was occupied by tenants that was demolished within 10 years before the development proponent submits an application under this section.
(C)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(7)(C) The development would require the demolition of a historic structure that was placed on a national, state, or local historic register.
(D)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(7)(D) The property contains housing units that are occupied by tenants, and units at the property are, or were, subsequently offered for sale to the general public by the subdivider or subsequent owner of the property.
(8)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(8) Except as provided in paragraph (9), a proponent of a development project approved by a local government pursuant to this section shall require in contracts with construction contractors, and shall certify to the local government, that the following standards specified in this paragraph will be met in project construction, as applicable:
(A)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(8)(A) A development that is not in its entirety a public work for purposes of Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 1720) of Part 7 of Division 2 of the Labor Code and approved by a local government pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 65912.110) or Article 3 (commencing with Section 65912.120) shall be subject to all of the following:
(i)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(8)(A)(i) All construction workers employed in the execution of the development shall be paid at least the general prevailing rate of per diem wages for the type of work and geographic area, as determined by the Director of Industrial Relations pursuant to Sections 1773 and 1773.9 of the Labor Code, except that apprentices registered in programs approved by the Chief of the Division of Apprenticeship Standards may be paid at least the applicable apprentice prevailing rate.
(ii)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(8)(A)(ii) The development proponent shall ensure that the prevailing wage requirement is included in all contracts for the performance of the work, and shall also provide notice of all contracts for the performance of the work to the Department of Industrial Relations, in accordance with Section 1773.35 of the Labor Code, for those portions of the development that are not a public work.
(iii)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(8)(A)(iii) All contractors and subcontractors for those portions of the development that are not a public work shall comply with all of the following:
(I)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(8)(A)(iii)(I) Pay to all construction workers employed in the execution of the work at least the general prevailing rate of per diem wages, except that apprentices registered in programs approved by the Chief of the Division of Apprenticeship Standards may be paid at least the applicable apprentice prevailing rate.
(II) Maintain and verify payroll records pursuant to Section 1776 of the Labor Code and make those records available for inspection and copying as provided in that section. This subclause does not apply if all contractors and subcontractors performing work on the development are subject to a project labor agreement that requires the payment of prevailing wages to all construction workers employed in the execution of the development and provides for enforcement of that obligation through an arbitration procedure. For purposes of this subclause, “project labor agreement” has the same meaning as set forth in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 2500 of the Public Contract Code.
(III) Be registered in accordance with Section 1725.6 of the Labor Code.
(B)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(8)(B)
(i)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(8)(B)(i) The obligation of the contractors and subcontractors to pay prevailing wages pursuant to this paragraph may be enforced by any of the following:
(I)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(8)(B)(i)(I) The Labor Commissioner through the issuance of a civil wage and penalty assessment pursuant to Section 1741 of the Labor Code, which may be reviewed pursuant to Section 1742 of the Labor Code, within 18 months after the completion of the development.
(II) An underpaid worker through an administrative complaint or civil action.
(III) A joint labor-management committee through a civil action under Section 1771.2 of the Labor Code.
(ii)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(8)(B)(i)(ii) If a civil wage and penalty assessment is issued pursuant to this paragraph, the contractor, subcontractor, and surety on a bond or bonds issued to secure the payment of wages covered by the assessment shall be liable for liquidated damages pursuant to Section 1742.1 of the Labor Code.
(iii)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(8)(B)(i)(iii) This paragraph does not apply if all contractors and subcontractors performing work on the development are subject to a project labor agreement that requires the payment of prevailing wages to all construction workers employed in the execution of the development and provides for enforcement of that obligation through an arbitration procedure. For purposes of this clause, “project labor agreement” has the same meaning as set forth in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 2500 of the Public Contract Code.
(C)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(8)(C) Notwithstanding subdivision (c) of Section 1773.1 of the Labor Code, the requirement that employer payments not reduce the obligation to pay the hourly straight time or overtime wages found to be prevailing does not apply to those portions of a development that are not a public work if otherwise provided in a bona fide collective bargaining agreement covering the worker.
(D)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(8)(D) The requirement of this paragraph to pay at least the general prevailing rate of per diem wages does not preclude use of an alternative workweek schedule adopted pursuant to Section 511 or 514 of the Labor Code.
(E)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(8)(E) A development of 50 or more housing units approved by a local government pursuant to this section shall meet all of the following labor standards:
(i)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(8)(E)(i) The development proponent shall require in contracts with construction contractors and shall certify to the local government that each contractor of any tier who will employ construction craft employees or will let subcontracts for at least 1,000 hours shall satisfy the requirements in clauses (ii) and (iii). A construction contractor is deemed in compliance with clauses (ii) and (iii) if it is signatory to a valid collective bargaining agreement that requires utilization of registered apprentices and expenditures on health care for employees and dependents.
(ii)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(8)(E)(ii) A contractor with construction craft employees shall either participate in an apprenticeship program approved by the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards pursuant to Section 3075 of the Labor Code, or request the dispatch of apprentices from a state-approved apprenticeship program under the terms and conditions set forth in Section 1777.5 of the Labor Code. A contractor without construction craft employees shall show a contractual obligation that its subcontractors comply with this clause.
(iii)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(8)(E)(iii) Each contractor with construction craft employees shall make health care expenditures for each employee in an amount per hour worked on the development equivalent to at least the hourly pro rata cost of a Covered California Platinum level plan for two adults 40 years of age and two dependents 0 to 14 years of age for the Covered California rating area in which the development is located. A contractor without construction craft employees shall show a contractual obligation that its subcontractors comply with this clause. Qualifying expenditures shall be credited toward compliance with prevailing wage payment requirements set forth in this paragraph.
(iv)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(8)(E)(iv)
(I)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(8)(E)(iv)(I) The development proponent shall provide to the local government, on a monthly basis while its construction contracts on the development are being performed, a report demonstrating compliance with clauses (ii) and (iii). The reports shall be considered public records under the California Public Records Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1) and shall be open to public inspection.
(II) A development proponent that fails to provide the monthly report shall be subject to a civil penalty for each month for which the report has not been provided, in the amount of 10 percent of the dollar value of construction work performed by that contractor on the development in the month in question, up to a maximum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000). Any contractor or subcontractor that fails to comply with clauses (ii) and (iii) shall be subject to a civil penalty of two hundred dollars ($200) per day for each worker employed in contravention of clauses (ii) and (iii).
(III) Penalties may be assessed by the Labor Commissioner within 18 months of completion of the development using the procedures for issuance of civil wage and penalty assessments specified in Section 1741 of the Labor Code, and may be reviewed pursuant to Section 1742 of the Labor Code. Penalties shall be deposited in the State Public Works Enforcement Fund established pursuant to Section 1771.3 of the Labor Code.
(v)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(8)(E)(v) Each construction contractor shall maintain and verify payroll records pursuant to Section 1776 of the Labor Code. Each construction contractor shall submit payroll records directly to the Labor Commissioner at least monthly in a format prescribed by the Labor Commissioner in accordance with subparagraph (A) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 1771.4 of the Labor Code. The records shall include a statement of fringe benefits. Upon request by a joint labor-management cooperation committee established pursuant to the federal Labor Management Cooperation Act of 1978 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 175a), the records shall be provided pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 1776 of the Labor Code.
(vi)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(8)(E)(vi) All construction contractors shall report any change in apprenticeship program participation or health care expenditures to the local government within 10 business days, and shall reflect those changes on the monthly report. The reports shall be considered public records pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1) and shall be open to public inspection.
(vii)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(8)(E)(vii) A joint labor-management cooperation committee established pursuant to the federal Labor Management Cooperation Act of 1978 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 175a) shall have standing to sue a construction contractor for failure to make health care expenditures pursuant to clause (iii) in accordance with Section 218.7 or 218.8 of the Labor Code.
(F)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(8)(F) For any project over 85 feet in height above grade, the following skilled and trained workforce provisions apply:
(i)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(8)(F)(i) Except as provided in clause (ii), the developer shall enter into construction contracts with prime contractors only if all of the following are satisfied:
(I)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(8)(F)(i)(I) The contract contains an enforceable commitment that the prime contractor and subcontractors at every tier will use a skilled and trained workforce, as defined in Section 2601 of the Public Contract Code, to perform work on the project that falls within an apprenticeable occupation in the building and construction trades. However, this enforceable commitment requirement shall not apply to any scopes of work where new bids are accepted pursuant to subclause (I) of clause (ii).
(II) The developer or prime contractor shall establish minimum bidding requirements for subcontractors that are objective to the maximum extent possible. The developer or prime contractor shall not impose any obstacles in the bid process for subcontractors that go beyond what is reasonable and commercially customary. The developer or prime contractor must accept bids submitted by any bidder that meets the minimum criteria set forth in the bid solicitation.
(III) The prime contractor has provided an affidavit under penalty of perjury that, in compliance with this subparagraph, it will use a skilled and trained workforce and will obtain from its subcontractors an enforceable commitment to use a skilled and trained workforce for each scope of work in which it receives at least three bids attesting to satisfaction of the skilled and trained workforce requirements.
(IV) When a prime contractor or subcontractor is required to provide an enforceable commitment that a skilled and trained workforce will be used to complete a contract or project, the commitment shall be made in an enforceable agreement with the developer that provides the following:
(ia) The prime contractor and subcontractors at every tier will comply with this chapter.
(ib) The prime contractor will provide the developer, on a monthly basis while the project or contract is being performed, a report demonstrating compliance by the prime contractor.
(ic) The prime contractor shall provide the developer, on a monthly basis while the project or contract is being performed, the monthly reports demonstrating compliance submitted to the prime contractor by the affected subcontractors.
(ii)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(8)(F)(ii)
(I)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(8)(F)(ii)(I) If a prime contractor fails to receive at least three bids in a scope of construction work from subcontractors that attest to satisfying the skilled and trained workforce requirements as described in this subparagraph, the prime contractor may accept new bids for that scope of work. The prime contractor need not require that a skilled and trained workforce be used by the subcontractors for that scope of work.
(II) The requirements of this subparagraph shall not apply if all contractors, subcontractors, and craft unions performing work on the development are subject to a multicraft project labor agreement that requires the payment of prevailing wages to all construction workers employed in the execution of the development and provides for enforcement of that obligation through an arbitration procedure. The multicraft project labor agreement shall include all construction crafts with applicable coverage determinations for the specified scopes of work on the project pursuant to Section 1773 of the Labor Code and shall be executed by all applicable labor organizations regardless of affiliation. For purposes of this clause, “project labor agreement” means a prehire collective bargaining agreement that establishes terms and conditions of employment for a specific construction project or projects and is an agreement described in Section 158(f) of Title 29 of the United States Code.
(III) Requirements set forth in this subparagraph shall not apply to projects where 100 percent of the units, exclusive of a manager’s unit or units, are dedicated to lower income households, as defined in Section 50079.5 of the Health and Safety Code.
(iii)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(8)(F)(iii) If the skilled and trained workforce requirements of this subparagraph apply, the prime contractor shall require subcontractors to provide, and subcontractors on the project shall provide, the following to the prime contractor:
(I)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(8)(F)(iii)(I) An affidavit signed under penalty of perjury that a skilled and trained workforce shall be employed on the project.
(II) Reports on a monthly basis, while the project or contract is being performed, demonstrating compliance with this chapter.
(iv)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(8)(F)(iv) Upon issuing any invitation or bid solicitation for the project, but no less than seven days before the bid is due, the developer shall send a notice of the invitation or solicitation that describes the project to the following entities within the jurisdiction of the proposed project site:
(I)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(8)(F)(iv)(I) Any bona fide labor organization representing workers in the building and construction trades who may perform work necessary to complete the project and the local building and construction trades council.
(II) Any organization representing contractors that may perform work necessary to complete the project, including any contractors’ association or regional builders’ exchange.
(v)CA Government Code § 65913.4(v) The developer or prime contractor shall, within three business days of a request by a joint labor-management cooperation committee established pursuant to the federal Labor Management Cooperation Act of 1978 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 175a), provide all of the following:
(I)CA Government Code § 65913.4(v)(I) The names and Contractors State License Board numbers of the prime contractor and any subcontractors that submitted a proposal or bid for the development project.
(II) The names and Contractors State License Board numbers of contractors and subcontractors that are under contract to perform construction work.
(vi)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(v)(vi)
(I)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(v)(vi)(I) For all projects subject to this subparagraph, the development proponent shall provide to the locality, on a monthly basis while the project or contract is being performed, a report demonstrating that the self-performing prime contractor and all subcontractors used a skilled and trained workforce, as defined in Section 2601 of the Public Contract Code, unless otherwise exempt under this subparagraph. A monthly report provided to the locality pursuant to this subclause shall be a public record under the California Public Records Act Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1 and shall be open to public inspection. A developer that fails to provide a complete monthly report shall be subject to a civil penalty of 10 percent of the dollar value of construction work performed by that contractor on the project in the month in question, up to a maximum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per month for each month for which the report has not been provided.
(II) Any subcontractors or prime contractor self-performing work subject to the skilled and trained workforce requirements under this subparagraph that fail to use a skilled and trained workforce shall be subject to a civil penalty of two hundred dollars ($200) per day for each worker employed in contravention of the skilled and trained workforce requirement. Penalties may be assessed by the Labor Commissioner within 18 months of completion of the project using the same issuance of civil wage and penalty assessments pursuant to Section 1741 of the Labor Code and may be reviewed pursuant to the same procedures in Section 1742 of the Labor Code. Prime contractors shall not be jointly liable for violations of this subparagraph by subcontractors. Penalties shall be paid to the State Public Works Enforcement Fund or the locality or its labor standards enforcement agency, depending on the lead entity performing the enforcement work.
(III) Any provision of a contract or agreement of any kind between a developer and a prime contractor that purports to delegate, transfer, or assign to a prime contractor any obligations of or penalties incurred by a developer shall be deemed contrary to public policy and shall be void and unenforceable.
(G)CA Government Code § 65913.4(v)(G) A locality, and any labor standards enforcement agency the locality lawfully maintains, shall have standing to take administrative action or sue a construction contractor for failure to comply with this paragraph. A prevailing locality or labor standards enforcement agency shall distribute any wages and penalties to workers in accordance with law and retain any fees, additional penalties, or assessments.
(9)CA Government Code § 65913.4(v)(9) Notwithstanding paragraph (8), a development that is subject to approval pursuant to this section is exempt from any requirement to pay prevailing wages, use a workforce participating in an apprenticeship, or provide health care expenditures if it satisfies both of the following:
(A)CA Government Code § 65913.4(v)(9)(A) The project consists of 10 or fewer units.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.4(v)(9)(B) The project is not a public work for purposes of Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 1720) of Part 7 of Division 2 of the Labor Code.
(10)CA Government Code § 65913.4(v)(10) The development shall not be upon an existing parcel of land or site that is governed under the Mobilehome Residency Law (Chapter 2.5 (commencing with Section 798) of Title 2 of Part 2 of Division 2 of the Civil Code), the Recreational Vehicle Park Occupancy Law (Chapter 2.6 (commencing with Section 799.20) of Title 2 of Part 2 of Division 2 of the Civil Code), the Mobilehome Parks Act (Part 2.1 (commencing with Section 18200) of Division 13 of the Health and Safety Code), or the Special Occupancy Parks Act (Part 2.3 (commencing with Section 18860) of Division 13 of the Health and Safety Code).
(b)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(b)
(1)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(b)(1) (A) (i) Before submitting an application for a development subject to the streamlined, ministerial approval process described in subdivision (c), the development proponent shall submit to the local government a notice of its intent to submit an application. The notice of intent shall be in the form of a preliminary application that includes all of the information described in Section 65941.1, as that section read on January 1, 2020.
(ii)CA Government Code § 65913.4(b)(1)(ii) Upon receipt of a notice of intent to submit an application described in clause (i), the local government shall engage in a scoping consultation regarding the proposed development with any California Native American tribe that is traditionally and culturally affiliated with the geographic area, as described in Section 21080.3.1 of the Public Resources Code, of the proposed development. In order to expedite compliance with this subdivision, the local government shall contact the Native American Heritage Commission for assistance in identifying any California Native American tribe that is traditionally and culturally affiliated with the geographic area of the proposed development.
(iii)CA Government Code § 65913.4(b)(1)(iii) The timeline for noticing and commencing a scoping consultation in accordance with this subdivision shall be as follows:
(I)CA Government Code § 65913.4(b)(1)(iii)(I) The local government shall provide a formal notice of a development proponent’s notice of intent to submit an application described in clause (i) to each California Native American tribe that is traditionally and culturally affiliated with the geographic area of the proposed development within 30 days of receiving that notice of intent. The formal notice provided pursuant to this subclause shall include all of the following:
(ia) A description of the proposed development.
(ib) The location of the proposed development.
(ic) An invitation to engage in a scoping consultation in accordance with this subdivision.
(II) Each California Native American tribe that receives a formal notice pursuant to this clause shall have 30 days from the receipt of that notice to accept the invitation to engage in a scoping consultation.
(III) If the local government receives a response accepting an invitation to engage in a scoping consultation pursuant to this subdivision, the local government shall commence the scoping consultation within 30 days of receiving that response.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.4(b)(1)(B) The scoping consultation shall recognize that California Native American tribes traditionally and culturally affiliated with a geographic area have knowledge and expertise concerning the resources at issue and shall take into account the cultural significance of the resource to the culturally affiliated California Native American tribe.
(C)CA Government Code § 65913.4(b)(1)(C) The parties to a scoping consultation conducted pursuant to this subdivision shall be the local government and any California Native American tribe traditionally and culturally affiliated with the geographic area of the proposed development. More than one California Native American tribe traditionally and culturally affiliated with the geographic area of the proposed development may participate in the scoping consultation. However, the local government, upon the request of any California Native American tribe traditionally and culturally affiliated with the geographic area of the proposed development, shall engage in a separate scoping consultation with that California Native American tribe. The development proponent and its consultants may participate in a scoping consultation process conducted pursuant to this subdivision if all of the following conditions are met:
(i)CA Government Code § 65913.4(b)(1)(C)(i) The development proponent and its consultants agree to respect the principles set forth in this subdivision.
(ii)CA Government Code § 65913.4(b)(1)(C)(ii) The development proponent and its consultants engage in the scoping consultation in good faith.
(iii)CA Government Code § 65913.4(b)(1)(C)(iii) The California Native American tribe participating in the scoping consultation approves the participation of the development proponent and its consultants. The California Native American tribe may rescind its approval at any time during the scoping consultation, either for the duration of the scoping consultation or with respect to any particular meeting or discussion held as part of the scoping consultation.
(D)CA Government Code § 65913.4(b)(1)(D) The participants to a scoping consultation pursuant to this subdivision shall comply with all of the following confidentiality requirements:
(i)CA Government Code § 65913.4(b)(1)(D)(i) Section 7927.000.
(ii)CA Government Code § 65913.4(b)(1)(D)(ii) Section 7927.005.
(iii)CA Government Code § 65913.4(b)(1)(D)(iii) Subdivision (c) of Section 21082.3 of the Public Resources Code.
(iv)CA Government Code § 65913.4(b)(1)(D)(iv) Subdivision (d) of Section 15120 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations.
(v)CA Government Code § 65913.4(b)(1)(D)(v) Any additional confidentiality standards adopted by the California Native American tribe participating in the scoping consultation.
(E)CA Government Code § 65913.4(b)(1)(E) The California Environmental Quality Act (Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code) shall not apply to a scoping consultation conducted pursuant to this subdivision.
(2)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(b)(2)
(A)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(b)(2)(A) If, after concluding the scoping consultation, the parties find that no potential tribal cultural resource would be affected by the proposed development, the development proponent may submit an application for the proposed development that is subject to the streamlined, ministerial approval process described in subdivision (c).
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.4(b)(2)(A)(B) If, after concluding the scoping consultation, the parties find that a potential tribal cultural resource could be affected by the proposed development and an enforceable agreement is documented between the California Native American tribe and the local government on methods, measures, and conditions for tribal cultural resource treatment, the development proponent may submit the application for a development subject to the streamlined, ministerial approval process described in subdivision (c). The local government shall ensure that the enforceable agreement is included in the requirements and conditions for the proposed development.
(C)CA Government Code § 65913.4(b)(2)(A)(C) If, after concluding the scoping consultation, the parties find that a potential tribal cultural resource could be affected by the proposed development and an enforceable agreement is not documented between the California Native American tribe and the local government regarding methods, measures, and conditions for tribal cultural resource treatment, the development shall not be eligible for the streamlined, ministerial approval process described in subdivision (c).
(D)CA Government Code § 65913.4(b)(2)(A)(D) For purposes of this paragraph, a scoping consultation shall be deemed to be concluded if either of the following occur:
(i)CA Government Code § 65913.4(b)(2)(A)(D)(i) The parties to the scoping consultation document an enforceable agreement concerning methods, measures, and conditions to avoid or address potential impacts to tribal cultural resources that are or may be present.
(ii)CA Government Code § 65913.4(b)(2)(A)(D)(ii) One or more parties to the scoping consultation, acting in good faith and after reasonable effort, conclude that a mutual agreement on methods, measures, and conditions to avoid or address impacts to tribal cultural resources that are or may be present cannot be reached.
(E)CA Government Code § 65913.4(b)(2)(A)(E) If the development or environmental setting substantially changes after the completion of the scoping consultation, the local government shall notify the California Native American tribe of the changes and engage in a subsequent scoping consultation if requested by the California Native American tribe.
(3)CA Government Code § 65913.4(b)(3) A local government may only accept an application for streamlined, ministerial approval pursuant to this section if one of the following applies:
(A)CA Government Code § 65913.4(b)(3)(A) A California Native American tribe that received a formal notice of the development proponent’s notice of intent to submit an application pursuant to subclause (I) of clause (iii) of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) did not accept the invitation to engage in a scoping consultation.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.4(b)(3)(B) The California Native American tribe accepted an invitation to engage in a scoping consultation pursuant to subclause (II) of clause (iii) of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) but substantially failed to engage in the scoping consultation after repeated documented attempts by the local government to engage the California Native American tribe.
(C)CA Government Code § 65913.4(b)(3)(C) The parties to a scoping consultation pursuant to this subdivision find that no potential tribal cultural resource will be affected by the proposed development pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2).
(D)CA Government Code § 65913.4(b)(3)(D) A scoping consultation between a California Native American tribe and the local government has occurred in accordance with this subdivision and resulted in agreement pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2).
(4)CA Government Code § 65913.4(b)(4) A project shall not be eligible for the streamlined, ministerial process described in subdivision (c) if any of the following apply:
(A)CA Government Code § 65913.4(b)(4)(A) There is a tribal cultural resource that is on a national, state, tribal, or local historic register list located on the site of the project.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.4(b)(4)(B) There is a potential tribal cultural resource that could be affected by the proposed development and the parties to a scoping consultation conducted pursuant to this subdivision do not document an enforceable agreement on methods, measures, and conditions for tribal cultural resource treatment, as described in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (2).
(C)CA Government Code § 65913.4(b)(4)(C) The parties to a scoping consultation conducted pursuant to this subdivision do not agree as to whether a potential tribal cultural resource will be affected by the proposed development.
(5)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(b)(5)
(A)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(b)(5)(A) If, after a scoping consultation conducted pursuant to this subdivision, a project is not eligible for the streamlined, ministerial approval process described in subdivision (c) for any or all of the following reasons, the local government shall provide written documentation of that fact, and an explanation of the reason for which the project is not eligible, to the development proponent and to any California Native American tribe that is a party to that scoping consultation:
(i)CA Government Code § 65913.4(b)(5)(A)(i) There is a tribal cultural resource that is on a national, state, tribal, or local historic register list located on the site of the project, as described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (4).
(ii)CA Government Code § 65913.4(b)(5)(A)(ii) The parties to the scoping consultation have not documented an enforceable agreement on methods, measures, and conditions for tribal cultural resource treatment, as described in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (2) and subparagraph (B) of paragraph (4).
(iii)CA Government Code § 65913.4(b)(5)(A)(iii) The parties to the scoping consultation do not agree as to whether a potential tribal cultural resource will be affected by the proposed development, as described in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (4).
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.4(b)(5)(A)(B) The written documentation provided to a development proponent pursuant to this paragraph shall include information on how the development proponent may seek a conditional use permit or other discretionary approval of the development from the local government.
(6)CA Government Code § 65913.4(b)(6) This section is not intended, and shall not be construed, to limit consultation and discussion between a local government and a California Native American tribe pursuant to other applicable law, confidentiality provisions under other applicable law, the protection of religious exercise to the fullest extent permitted under state and federal law, or the ability of a California Native American tribe to submit information to the local government or participate in any process of the local government.
(7)CA Government Code § 65913.4(b)(7) For purposes of this subdivision:
(A)CA Government Code § 65913.4(b)(7)(A) “Consultation” means the meaningful and timely process of seeking, discussing, and considering carefully the views of others, in a manner that is cognizant of all parties’ cultural values and, where feasible, seeking agreement. Consultation between local governments and Native American tribes shall be conducted in a way that is mutually respectful of each party’s sovereignty. Consultation shall also recognize the tribes’ potential needs for confidentiality with respect to places that have traditional tribal cultural importance. A lead agency shall consult the tribal consultation best practices described in the “State of California Tribal Consultation Guidelines: Supplement to the General Plan Guidelines” prepared by the Office of Planning and Research.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.4(b)(7)(B) “Scoping” means the act of participating in early discussions or investigations between the local government and California Native American tribe, and the development proponent if authorized by the California Native American tribe, regarding the potential effects a proposed development could have on a potential tribal cultural resource, as defined in Section 21074 of the Public Resources Code, or California Native American tribe, as defined in Section 21073 of the Public Resources Code.
(8)CA Government Code § 65913.4(b)(8) This subdivision shall not apply to any project that has been approved under the streamlined, ministerial approval process provided under this section before the effective date of the act adding this subdivision.
(c)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(c)
(1)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(c)(1) Notwithstanding any local law, if a local government’s planning director or equivalent position determines that a development submitted pursuant to this section is consistent with the objective planning standards specified in subdivision (a) and pursuant to paragraph (3) of this subdivision, the local government shall approve the development. Upon a determination that a development submitted pursuant to this section is in conflict with any of the objective planning standards specified in subdivision (a), the local government staff or relevant local planning and permitting department that made the determination shall provide the development proponent written documentation of which standard or standards the development conflicts with, and an explanation for the reason or reasons the development conflicts with that standard or standards, as follows:
(A)CA Government Code § 65913.4(c)(1)(A) Within 60 days of submittal of the development to the local government pursuant to this section if the development contains 150 or fewer housing units.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.4(c)(1)(B) Within 90 days of submittal of the development to the local government pursuant to this section if the development contains more than 150 housing units.
(C)CA Government Code § 65913.4(c)(1)(C) Within 30 days of submittal of any development proposal that was resubmitted to address written feedback provided by the local government pursuant to this paragraph.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.4(c)(2) If the local government’s planning director or equivalent position fails to provide the required documentation pursuant to paragraph (1), the development shall be deemed to satisfy the objective planning standards specified in subdivision (a).
(3)CA Government Code § 65913.4(c)(3) For purposes of this section, a development is consistent with the objective planning standards specified in subdivision (a) if there is substantial evidence that would allow a reasonable person to conclude that the development is consistent with the objective planning standards. The local government shall not determine that a development, including an application for a modification under subdivision (h), is in conflict with the objective planning standards on the basis that application materials are not included, if the application contains substantial evidence that would allow a reasonable person to conclude that the development is consistent with the objective planning standards.
(4)CA Government Code § 65913.4(c)(4) Upon submittal of an application for streamlined, ministerial approval pursuant to this section to the local government, all departments of the local government that are required to issue an approval of the development prior to the granting of an entitlement shall comply with the requirements of this section within the time periods specified in paragraph (1).
(d)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(d)
(1)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(d)(1) Any design review of the development may be conducted by the local government’s planning commission or any equivalent board or commission responsible for design review. That design review shall be objective and be strictly focused on assessing compliance with criteria required for streamlined projects, as well as any reasonable objective design standards published and adopted by ordinance or resolution by a local jurisdiction before submission of a development application, and shall be broadly applicable to development within the jurisdiction. That design review shall be completed, and if the development is consistent with all objective standards, the local government shall approve the development as follows and shall not in any way inhibit, chill, or preclude the ministerial approval provided by this section or its effect, as applicable:
(A)CA Government Code § 65913.4(d)(1)(A) Within 90 days of submittal of the development to the local government pursuant to this section if the development contains 150 or fewer housing units.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.4(d)(1)(B) Within 180 days of submittal of the development to the local government pursuant to this section if the development contains more than 150 housing units.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.4(d)(2) An application for a subdivision pursuant to the Subdivision Map Act (Division 2 (commencing with Section 66410)) shall be exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code) and shall be subject to the public oversight timelines set forth in paragraph (1) if the development is consistent with the requirements of this section, including, but not limited to, paragraph (8) of subdivision (a), and all objective subdivision standards in the local subdivision ordinance, and meets at least one of the following requirements:
(A)CA Government Code § 65913.4(d)(2)(A) The development has received or will receive financing or funding by means of a low-income housing tax credit.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.4(d)(2)(B) The development is located on a legal parcel or parcels within either of the following:
(i)CA Government Code § 65913.4(d)(2)(B)(i) An incorporated city, the boundaries of which include some portion of an urbanized area.
(ii)CA Government Code § 65913.4(d)(2)(B)(ii) An urbanized area or urban cluster in a county with a population greater than 250,000 based on the most recent United States Census Bureau data.
(iii)CA Government Code § 65913.4(d)(2)(B)(iii) For purposes of this subparagraph, the following definitions apply:
(I)CA Government Code § 65913.4(d)(2)(B)(iii)(I) “Urbanized area” means an urbanized area designated by the United States Census Bureau, as published in the Federal Register, Volume 77, Number 59, on March 27, 2012.
(II) “Urban cluster” means an urban cluster designated by the United States Census Bureau, as published in the Federal Register, Volume 77, Number 59, on March 27, 2012.
(3)CA Government Code § 65913.4(d)(3) If a local government determines that a development submitted pursuant to this section is in conflict with any of the standards imposed pursuant to paragraph (1), it shall provide the development proponent written documentation of which objective standard or standards the development conflicts with, and an explanation for the reason or reasons the development conflicts with that objective standard or standards consistent with the timelines described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (c).
(e)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(e)
(1)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(e)(1) Notwithstanding any other law, a local government, whether or not it has adopted an ordinance governing automobile parking requirements in multifamily developments, shall not impose automobile parking standards for a streamlined development that was approved pursuant to this section in any of the following instances:
(A)CA Government Code § 65913.4(e)(1)(A) The development is located within one-half mile of public transit.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.4(e)(1)(B) The development is located within an architecturally and historically significant historic district.
(C)CA Government Code § 65913.4(e)(1)(C) When on-street parking permits are required but not offered to the occupants of the development.
(D)CA Government Code § 65913.4(e)(1)(D) When there is a car share vehicle located within one block of the development.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.4(e)(2) If the development does not fall within any of the categories described in paragraph (1), the local government shall not impose automobile parking requirements for streamlined developments approved pursuant to this section that exceed one parking space per unit.
(f)CA Government Code § 65913.4(f) Notwithstanding any law, a local government shall not require any of the following prior to approving a development that meets the requirements of this section:
(1)CA Government Code § 65913.4(f)(1) Studies, information, or other materials that do not pertain directly to determining whether the development is consistent with the objective planning standards applicable to the development.
(2)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(f)(2)
(A)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(f)(2)(A) Compliance with any standards necessary to receive a postentitlement permit.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.4(f)(2)(A)(B) This paragraph does not prohibit a local agency from requiring compliance with any standards necessary to receive a postentitlement permit after a permit has been issued pursuant to this section.
(C)CA Government Code § 65913.4(f)(2)(A)(C) For purposes of this paragraph, “postentitlement permit” has the same meaning as provided in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (j) of Section 65913.3.
(g)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(g)
(1)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(g)(1) If a local government approves a development pursuant to this section, then, notwithstanding any other law, that approval shall not expire if the project satisfies both of the following requirements:
(A)CA Government Code § 65913.4(g)(1)(A) The project includes public investment in housing affordability, beyond tax credits.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.4(g)(1)(B) At least 50 percent of the units are affordable to households making at or below 80 percent of the area median income.
(2)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(g)(2)
(A)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(g)(2)(A) If a local government approves a development pursuant to this section, and the project does not satisfy the requirements of subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1), that approval shall remain valid for three years from the date of the final action establishing that approval, or if litigation is filed challenging that approval, from the date of the final judgment upholding that approval. Approval shall remain valid for a project provided construction activity, including demolition and grading activity, on the development site that has begun pursuant to a permit issued by the local jurisdiction and is in progress. For purposes of this subdivision, “in progress” means one of the following:
(i)CA Government Code § 65913.4(g)(2)(A)(i) The construction has begun and has not ceased for more than 180 days.
(ii)CA Government Code § 65913.4(g)(2)(A)(ii) If the development requires multiple building permits, an initial phase has been completed, and the project proponent has applied for and is diligently pursuing a building permit for a subsequent phase, provided that once it has been issued, the building permit for the subsequent phase does not lapse.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.4(g)(2)(A)(B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), a local government may grant a project a one-time, one-year extension if the project proponent can provide documentation that there has been significant progress toward getting the development construction ready, such as filing a building permit application.
(3)CA Government Code § 65913.4(g)(3) If the development proponent requests a modification pursuant to subdivision (h), then the time during which the approval shall remain valid shall be extended for the number of days between the submittal of a modification request and the date of its final approval, plus an additional 180 days to allow time to obtain a building permit. If litigation is filed relating to the modification request, the time shall be further extended during the pendency of the litigation. The extension required by this paragraph shall only apply to the first request for a modification submitted by the development proponent.
(4)CA Government Code § 65913.4(g)(4) The amendments made to this subdivision by the act that added this paragraph shall also be retroactively applied to developments approved prior to January 1, 2022.
(h)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(h)
(1)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(h)(1) (A) A development proponent may request a modification to a development that has been approved under the streamlined, ministerial approval process provided in subdivision (c) if that request is submitted to the local government before the issuance of the final building permit required for construction of the development.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.4(h)(1)(B) Except as provided in paragraph (3), the local government shall approve a modification if it determines that the modification is consistent with the objective planning standards specified in subdivision (a) that were in effect when the original development application was first submitted.
(C)CA Government Code § 65913.4(h)(1)(C) The local government shall evaluate any modifications requested pursuant to this subdivision for consistency with the objective planning standards using the same assumptions and analytical methodology that the local government originally used to assess consistency for the development that was approved for streamlined, ministerial approval pursuant to subdivision (c).
(D)CA Government Code § 65913.4(h)(1)(D) A guideline that was adopted or amended by the department pursuant to subdivision (n) after a development was approved through the streamlined, ministerial approval process described in subdivision (c) shall not be used as a basis to deny proposed modifications.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.4(h)(2) Upon receipt of the development proponent’s application requesting a modification, the local government shall determine if the requested modification is consistent with the objective planning standard and either approve or deny the modification request within 60 days after submission of the modification, or within 90 days if design review is required.
(3)CA Government Code § 65913.4(h)(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the local government may apply objective planning standards adopted after the development application was first submitted to the requested modification in any of the following instances:
(A)CA Government Code § 65913.4(h)(3)(A) The development is revised such that the total square footage of construction increases by 15 percent or more or the total number of residential units decreases by 15 percent or more. The calculation of the square footage of construction increases shall not include underground space.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.4(h)(3)(B) The development is revised such that the total square footage of construction increases by 5 percent or more or the total number of residential units decreases by 5 percent or more and it is necessary to subject the development to an objective standard beyond those in effect when the development application was submitted in order to mitigate or avoid a specific, adverse impact, as that term is defined in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (j) of Section 65589.5, upon the public health or safety and there is no feasible alternative method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the adverse impact. The calculation of the square footage of construction increases shall not include underground space.
(C)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(h)(3)(C)
(i)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(h)(3)(C)(i) Objective building standards contained in the California Building Standards Code (Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations), including, but not limited to, building plumbing, electrical, fire, and grading codes, may be applied to all modification applications that are submitted prior to the first building permit application. Those standards may be applied to modification applications submitted after the first building permit application if agreed to by the development proponent.
(ii)CA Government Code § 65913.4(h)(3)(C)(i)(ii) The amendments made to clause (i) by the act that added clause (i) shall also be retroactively applied to modification applications submitted prior to January 1, 2022.
(4)CA Government Code § 65913.4(h)(4) The local government’s review of a modification request pursuant to this subdivision shall be strictly limited to determining whether the modification, including any modification to previously approved density bonus concessions or waivers, modify the development’s consistency with the objective planning standards and shall not reconsider prior determinations that are not affected by the modification.
(i)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(i)
(1)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(i)(1) A local government shall not adopt or impose any requirement, including, but not limited to, increased fees or inclusionary housing requirements, that applies to a project solely or partially on the basis that the project is eligible to receive ministerial or streamlined approval pursuant to this section.
(2)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(i)(2)
(A)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(i)(2)(A) A local government shall issue a subsequent permit required for a development approved under this section if the application substantially complies with the development as it was approved pursuant to subdivision (c). Upon receipt of an application for a subsequent permit, the local government shall process the permit without unreasonable delay and shall not impose any procedure or requirement that is not imposed on projects that are not approved pursuant to this section. The local government shall consider the application for subsequent permits based upon the objective standards specified in any state or local laws that were in effect when the original development application was submitted, unless the development proponent agrees to a change in objective standards. Issuance of subsequent permits shall implement the approved development, and review of the permit application shall not inhibit, chill, or preclude the development. For purposes of this paragraph, a “subsequent permit” means a permit required subsequent to receiving approval under subdivision (c), and includes, but is not limited to, demolition, grading, encroachment, and building permits and final maps, if necessary.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.4(i)(2)(A)(B) The amendments made to subparagraph (A) by the act that added this subparagraph shall also be retroactively applied to subsequent permit applications submitted prior to January 1, 2022.
(3)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(i)(3)
(A)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(i)(3)(A) If a public improvement is necessary to implement a development that is subject to the streamlined, ministerial approval pursuant to this section, including, but not limited to, a bicycle lane, sidewalk or walkway, public transit stop, driveway, street paving or overlay, a curb or gutter, a modified intersection, a street sign or street light, landscape or hardscape, an above-ground or underground utility connection, a water line, fire hydrant, storm or sanitary sewer connection, retaining wall, and any related work, and that public improvement is located on land owned by the local government, to the extent that the public improvement requires approval from the local government, the local government shall not exercise its discretion over any approval relating to the public improvement in a manner that would inhibit, chill, or preclude the development.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.4(i)(3)(A)(B) If an application for a public improvement described in subparagraph (A) is submitted to a local government, the local government shall do all of the following:
(i)CA Government Code § 65913.4(i)(3)(A)(B)(i) Consider the application based upon any objective standards specified in any state or local laws that were in effect when the original development application was submitted.
(ii)CA Government Code § 65913.4(i)(3)(A)(B)(ii) Conduct its review and approval in the same manner as it would evaluate the public improvement if required by a project that is not eligible to receive ministerial or streamlined approval pursuant to this section.
(C)CA Government Code § 65913.4(i)(3)(A)(C) If an application for a public improvement described in subparagraph (A) is submitted to a local government, the local government shall not do either of the following:
(i)CA Government Code § 65913.4(i)(3)(A)(C)(i) Adopt or impose any requirement that applies to a project solely or partially on the basis that the project is eligible to receive ministerial or streamlined approval pursuant to this section.
(ii)CA Government Code § 65913.4(i)(3)(A)(C)(ii) Unreasonably delay in its consideration, review, or approval of the application.
(j)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(j)
(1)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(j)(1) This section shall not affect a development proponent’s ability to use any alternative streamlined by right permit processing adopted by a local government, including the provisions of subdivision (i) of Section 65583.2.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.4(j)(2) This section shall not prevent a development from also qualifying as a housing development project entitled to the protections of Section 65589.5. This paragraph does not constitute a change in, but is declaratory of, existing law.
(k)CA Government Code § 65913.4(k) The California Environmental Quality Act (Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code) does not apply to actions taken by a state agency, local government, or the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District to:
(1)CA Government Code § 65913.4(k)(1) Lease, convey, or encumber land owned by the local government or the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District or to facilitate the lease, conveyance, or encumbrance of land owned by the local government, or for the lease of land owned by the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District in association with an eligible TOD project, as defined pursuant to Section 29010.1 of the Public Utilities Code, nor to any decisions associated with that lease, or to provide financial assistance to a development that receives streamlined approval pursuant to this section that is to be used for housing for persons and families of very low, low, or moderate income, as defined in Section 50093 of the Health and Safety Code.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.4(k)(2) Approve improvements located on land owned by the local government or the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District that are necessary to implement a development that receives streamlined approval pursuant to this section that is to be used for housing for persons and families of very low, low, or moderate income, as defined in Section 50093 of the Health and Safety Code.
(l)CA Government Code § 65913.4(l) For purposes of establishing the total number of units in a development under this chapter, a development or development project includes both of the following:
(1)CA Government Code § 65913.4(l)(1) All projects developed on a site, regardless of when those developments occur.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.4(l)(2) All projects developed on sites adjacent to a site developed pursuant to this chapter if, after January 1, 2023, the adjacent site had been subdivided from the site developed pursuant to this chapter.
(m)CA Government Code § 65913.4(m) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
(1)CA Government Code § 65913.4(m)(1) “Affordable housing cost” has the same meaning as set forth in Section 50052.5 of the Health and Safety Code.
(2)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(m)(2)
(A)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(m)(2)(A) Subject to the qualification provided by subparagraphs (B) and (C), “affordable rent” has the same meaning as set forth in Section 50053 of the Health and Safety Code.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.4(m)(2)(A)(B) For a development for which an application pursuant to this section was submitted prior to January 1, 2019, that includes 500 units or more of housing, and that dedicates 20 percent of the total number of units, before calculating any density bonus, to housing affordable to households making at, or below, 80 percent of the area median income, affordable rent for at least 30 percent of these units shall be set at an affordable rent as defined in subparagraph (A) and “affordable rent” for the remainder of these units shall mean a rent that is consistent with the maximum rent levels for a housing development that receives an allocation of state or federal low-income housing tax credits from the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee.
(C)CA Government Code § 65913.4(m)(2)(A)(C) For a development that dedicates 100 percent of units, exclusive of a manager’s unit or units, to lower income households, “affordable rent” shall mean a rent that is consistent with the maximum rent levels stipulated by the public program providing financing for the development.
(3)CA Government Code § 65913.4(m)(3) “Department” means the Department of Housing and Community Development.
(4)CA Government Code § 65913.4(m)(4) “Development proponent” means the developer who submits a housing development project application to a local government under the streamlined ministerial review process pursuant to this section.
(5)CA Government Code § 65913.4(m)(5) “Completed entitlements” means a housing development that has received all the required land use approvals or entitlements necessary for the issuance of a building permit.
(6)CA Government Code § 65913.4(m)(6) “Health care expenditures” include contributions under Section 401(a), 501(c), or 501(d) of the Internal Revenue Code and payments toward “medical care,” as defined in Section 213(d)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code.
(7)CA Government Code § 65913.4(m)(7) “Housing development project” has the same meaning as in Section 65589.5.
(8)CA Government Code § 65913.4(m)(8) “Locality” or “local government” means a city, including a charter city, a county, including a charter county, or a city and county, including a charter city and county.
(9)CA Government Code § 65913.4(m)(9) “Moderate-income housing units” means housing units with an affordable housing cost or affordable rent for persons and families of moderate income, as that term is defined in Section 50093 of the Health and Safety Code.
(10)CA Government Code § 65913.4(m)(10) “Production report” means the information reported pursuant to subparagraph (H) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 65400.
(11)CA Government Code § 65913.4(m)(11) “State agency” includes every state office, officer, department, division, bureau, board, and commission, but does not include the California State University or the University of California.
(12)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(m)(12)
(A)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(m)(12)(A) “Reporting period” means either of the following:
(i)CA Government Code § 65913.4(m)(12)(A)(i) The first half of the regional housing needs assessment cycle.
(ii)CA Government Code § 65913.4(m)(12)(A)(ii) The last half of the regional housing needs assessment cycle.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.4(m)(12)(A)(B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), “reporting period” means annually for the City and County of San Francisco.
(13)CA Government Code § 65913.4(m)(13) “Urban uses” means any current or former residential, commercial, public institutional, public park that is surrounded by other urban uses, parking lot or structure, transit or transportation passenger facility, or retail use, or any combination of those uses.
(n)CA Government Code § 65913.4(n) The department may review, adopt, amend, and repeal guidelines to implement uniform standards or criteria that supplement or clarify the terms, references, or standards set forth in this section. Any guidelines or terms adopted pursuant to this subdivision shall not be subject to Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
(o)CA Government Code § 65913.4(o) The determination of whether an application for a development is subject to the streamlined ministerial approval process provided by subdivision (c) is not a “project” as defined in Section 21065 of the Public Resources Code.
(p)CA Government Code § 65913.4(p) Notwithstanding any other law, for purposes of this section and for development in compliance with the requirements of this section on property owned by or leased to the state, the Department of General Services may act in the place of a locality or local government, at the discretion of the department.
(q)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(q)
(1)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(q)(1) For developments proposed in a census tract that is designated either as a moderate resource area, low resource area, or an area of high segregation and poverty on the most recent “CTCAC/HCD Opportunity Map” published by the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee and the Department of Housing and Community Development, within 45 days after receiving a notice of intent, as described in subdivision (b), and before the development proponent submits an application for the proposed development that is subject to the streamlined, ministerial approval process described in subdivision (c), the local government shall provide for a public meeting to be held by the city council or county board of supervisors to provide an opportunity for the public and the local government to comment on the development.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.4(q)(2) The public meeting shall be held at a regular meeting and be subject to the Ralph M. Brown Act (Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 54950) of Part 1 of Division 2 of Title 5).
(3)CA Government Code § 65913.4(q)(3) If the development proposal is located within a city with a population of greater than 250,000 or the unincorporated area of a county with a population of greater than 250,000, the public meeting shall be held by the jurisdiction’s planning commission.
(4)CA Government Code § 65913.4(q)(4) Comments may be provided by testimony during the meeting or in writing at any time before the meeting concludes.
(5)CA Government Code § 65913.4(q)(5) The development proponent shall attest in writing that it attended the meeting described in paragraph (1) and reviewed the public testimony and written comments from the meeting in its application for the proposed development that is subject to the streamlined, ministerial approval process described in subdivision (c).
(6)CA Government Code § 65913.4(q)(6) If the local government fails to hold the hearing described in paragraph (1) within 45 days after receiving the notice of intent, the development proponent shall hold a public meeting on the proposed development before submitting an application pursuant to this section.
(r)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(r)
(1)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(r)(1) This section shall not apply to applications for developments proposed on qualified sites that are submitted on or after January 1, 2024, but before July 1, 2025.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.4(r)(2) For purposes of this subdivision, “qualified site” means a site that meets the following requirements:
(A)CA Government Code § 65913.4(r)(2)(A) The site is located within an equine or equestrian district designated by a general plan or specific or master plan, which may include a specific narrative reference to a geographically determined area or map of the same. Parcels adjoined and only separated by a street or highway shall be considered to be within an equestrian district.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.4(r)(2)(B) As of January 1, 2024, the general plan applicable to the site contains, and has contained for five or more years, an equine or equestrian district designation where the site is located.
(C)CA Government Code § 65913.4(r)(2)(C) As of January 1, 2024, the equine or equestrian district applicable to the site is not zoned to include residential uses, but authorizes residential uses with a conditional use permit.
(D)CA Government Code § 65913.4(r)(2)(D) The applicable local government has an adopted housing element that is compliant with applicable law.
(3)CA Government Code § 65913.4(r)(3) The Legislature finds and declares that the purpose of this subdivision is to allow local governments to conduct general plan updates to align their general plan with applicable zoning changes.
(s)CA Government Code § 65913.4(s) The provisions of clause (iii) of subparagraph (E) of paragraph (8) of subdivision (a) relating to health care expenditures are distinct and severable from the remaining provisions of this section. However, the remaining portions of paragraph (8) of subdivision (a) are a material and integral part of this section and are not severable. If any provision or application of paragraph (8) of subdivision (a) is held invalid, this entire section shall be null and void.
(t)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(t)
(1)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(t)(1) The changes made to this section by the act adding this subdivision shall apply in a coastal zone, as defined in Division 20 (commencing with Section 30000) of the Public Resources Code, on and after January 1, 2025.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.4(t)(2) In an area of the coastal zone not excluded under paragraph (6) of subdivision (a), a development that satisfies the requirements of subdivision (a) shall require a coastal development permit pursuant to Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 30600) of Division 20 of the Public Resources Code. A public agency with coastal development permitting authority shall approve a coastal development permit if it determines that the development is consistent with all objective standards of the local government’s certified local coastal program or, for areas that are not subject to a fully certified local coastal program, the certified land use plan of that area.
(3)CA Government Code § 65913.4(t)(3) For purposes of this section, receipt of any density bonus, concessions, incentives, waivers or reductions of development standards, and parking ratios to which the applicant is entitled under Section 65915 shall not constitute a basis to find the project inconsistent with the local coastal program.
(u)CA Government Code § 65913.4(u) It is the policy of the state that this section be interpreted and implemented in a manner to afford the fullest possible weight to the interest of, and the approval and provision of, increased housing supply.
(v)CA Government Code § 65913.4(v) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2036, and as of that date is repealed.

Section § 65913.4

Explanation

This law requires local agencies to issue building permits for small housing projects of up to 10 units if the applicant has received map approvals and submitted a complete building permit application. Before giving the permit, the agency might ask for proof that a final map is recorded, linking it to final approvals. The agency can impose conditions like ensuring developments meet agreed improvements and may require financial security like bonds to guarantee this. However, the agency could deny a permit if there's evidence of significant risks to public health or safety. Additionally, local agencies can create their own rules around this law, which will start on July 1, 2024.

(a)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)
(1)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(1) A local agency shall issue a building permit for one or more residential units that are part of a housing development project consisting of 10 or fewer units on a lot proposed to be subdivided as part of a subdivision pursuant to paragraph (3) if the applicant for the permit has met both of the following requirements:
(A)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(1)(A) The applicant has received a tentative map approval or parcel map approval for the subdivision.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(1)(B) The applicant has submitted a building permit application that the local agency deemed complete pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 65913.3.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(2) The local agency may condition the issuance of a building permit on the applicant submitting proof to the satisfaction of the local agency of a recorded covenant and agreement enforceable by the local agency that states that the applicant and the applicant’s successors and assignees agree that the building permit is issued on the condition that a certificate of occupancy or equivalent final approval for the building will not be issued unless the final map has been recorded.
(3)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(3)
(A)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(3)(A) The local agency shall issue the building permit based upon the tentative or parcel map and its conditions of approval. Any dedication, improvement, and sewer requirements identified in the approved tentative or parcel map or its conditions of approval shall be guaranteed to the satisfaction of the local agency at the time the building permit is issued.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(3)(A)(B) The local agency may require security to ensure faithful performance of the requirements identified in the approved tentative or parcel map or its conditions of approval. The amount of security shall be determined by the local agency and shall not be more than 300 percent of the total estimated cost of the improvements or of the acts to be performed. The security shall be provided in either of the following forms, as determined by the local agency:
(i)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(3)(A)(B)(i) Bond or bonds by one or more duly authorized corporate sureties.
(ii)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(3)(A)(B)(ii) An instrument of credit from an agency of the state, federal, or local government when any agency of the state, federal, or local government provides at least 20 percent of the financing for the portion of the act or agreement requiring security, or from one or more financial institutions subject to regulation by the state or federal government and pledging that the funds necessary to carry out the act or agreement are on deposit and guaranteed for payment, or a letter of credit issued by such a financial institution.
(4)CA Government Code § 65913.4(a)(4) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a local agency may deny issuance of a building permit if the building official makes a written finding, based upon a preponderance of the evidence, that construction of the proposed structure or structures before recordation of the final map would have a specific, adverse impact, as defined and determined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Section 65589.5, upon public health and safety and for which there is no feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific, adverse impact.
(b)CA Government Code § 65913.4(b) A local agency may adopt an ordinance to implement the provisions of this section. An ordinance adopted to implement this section shall not be considered a project under Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code.
(c)CA Government Code § 65913.4(c) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2024.

Section § 65913.5

Explanation

This law allows local governments to create zoning rules for parcels to have up to 10 residential units, especially in transit-rich or urban infill areas, despite local restrictions. Any such zoning changes must be made before January 1, 2029, but can remain in effect after this date. These changes aren't considered a 'project' under certain environmental guidelines. They cannot apply to fire hazard zones or areas designated as open space or parks unless fire mitigation measures are in place. The zoning must align with fair housing obligations and if it overrides local initiatives, it requires a two-thirds vote. Notably, projects over ten units can't be approved automatically and must go through environmental review, though adding small accessory units doesn't count towards the 10-unit limit. Lastly, the law ensures zoning changes do not lower current density allowances and clarifies important terms like 'high-quality bus corridor' and 'urban infill site.' The law emphasizes statewide housing concerns over local autonomy.

(a)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.5(a)
(1)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.5(a)(1) Notwithstanding any local restrictions on adopting zoning ordinances enacted by the jurisdiction that limit the legislative body’s ability to adopt zoning ordinances, including, subject to the requirements of paragraph (4) of subdivision (b), restrictions enacted by local initiative, a local government may adopt an ordinance to zone a parcel for up to 10 units of residential density per parcel, at a height specified by the local government in the ordinance, if the parcel is located in one of the following:
(A)CA Government Code § 65913.5(a)(1)(A) A transit-rich area.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.5(a)(1)(B) An urban infill site.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.5(a)(2) A local government shall not adopt an ordinance pursuant to this subdivision on or after January 1, 2029. However, the operative date of an ordinance adopted under this subdivision may extend beyond January 1, 2029.
(3)CA Government Code § 65913.5(a)(3) An ordinance adopted in accordance with this subdivision, and any resolution to amend the jurisdiction’s General Plan, ordinance, or other local regulation adopted to be consistent with that zoning ordinance, shall not constitute a “project” for purposes of Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code.
(4)CA Government Code § 65913.5(a)(4) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to either of the following:
(A)CA Government Code § 65913.5(a)(4)(A) Parcels located within a very high fire hazard severity zone, as determined by the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection pursuant to Section 51178, or within a high or very high fire hazard severity zone as indicated on maps adopted by the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection pursuant to Section 4202 of the Public Resources Code. This paragraph does not apply to sites that have adopted fire hazard mitigation measures pursuant to existing building standards or state fire mitigation measures applicable to the development.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.5(a)(4)(B) Any local restriction enacted or approved by a local initiative that designates publicly owned land as open-space land, as defined in subdivision (h) of Section 65560, or for park or recreational purposes.
(b)CA Government Code § 65913.5(b) A legislative body shall comply with all of the following when adopting a zoning ordinance pursuant to subdivision (a):
(1)CA Government Code § 65913.5(b)(1) The zoning ordinance shall include a declaration that the zoning ordinance is adopted pursuant to this section.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.5(b)(2) The zoning ordinance shall clearly demarcate the areas that are zoned pursuant to this section.
(3)CA Government Code § 65913.5(b)(3) The legislative body shall make a finding that the increased density authorized by the ordinance is consistent with the city or county’s obligation to affirmatively further fair housing pursuant to Section 8899.50.
(4)CA Government Code § 65913.5(b)(4) If the ordinance supersedes any zoning restriction established by a local initiative, the ordinance shall only take effect if adopted by a two-thirds vote of the members of the legislative body.
(c)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.5(c)
(1)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.5(c)(1) Notwithstanding any other law that allows ministerial or by right approval of a development project or that grants an exemption from Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code, a residential or mixed-use residential project consisting of more than 10 new residential units on one or more parcels that are zoned pursuant to an ordinance adopted under this section shall not be approved ministerially or by right and shall not be exempt from Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.5(c)(2) This subdivision shall not apply to a project located on a parcel or parcels that are zoned pursuant to an ordinance adopted under this section, but subsequently rezoned without regard to this section. A subsequent ordinance adopted to rezone the parcel or parcels shall not be exempt from Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code. Any environmental review conducted to adopt the subsequent ordinance shall consider the change in the zoning applicable to the parcel or parcels before they were zoned or rezoned pursuant to the ordinance adopted under this section.
(3)CA Government Code § 65913.5(c)(3) The creation of up to two accessory dwelling units and two junior accessory dwelling units per parcel pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 66314) and Article 3 (commencing with Section 66333) of Chapter 13 shall not count towards the total number of units of a residential or mixed-use residential project when determining if the project may be approved ministerially or by right under paragraph (1).
(4)CA Government Code § 65913.5(c)(4) A project may not be divided into smaller projects in order to exclude the project from the prohibition in this subdivision.
(d)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.5(d)
(1)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.5(d)(1) An ordinance adopted pursuant to this section shall not reduce the density of any parcel subject to the ordinance.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.5(d)(2) A legislative body that adopts a zoning ordinance pursuant to this section shall not subsequently reduce the density of any parcel subject to the ordinance.
(e)CA Government Code § 65913.5(e) For purposes of this section:
(1)CA Government Code § 65913.5(e)(1) “High-quality bus corridor” means a corridor with fixed route bus service that meets all of the following criteria:
(A)CA Government Code § 65913.5(e)(1)(A) It has average service intervals of no more than 15 minutes during the three peak hours between 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., inclusive, and the three peak hours between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., inclusive, on Monday through Friday.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.5(e)(1)(B) It has average service intervals of no more than 20 minutes during the hours of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., inclusive, on Monday through Friday.
(C)CA Government Code § 65913.5(e)(1)(C) It has average intervals of no more than 30 minutes during the hours of 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., inclusive, on Saturday and Sunday.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.5(e)(2) “Transit-rich area” means a parcel within one-half mile of a major transit stop, as defined in Section 21064.3 of the Public Resources Code, or a parcel on a high-quality bus corridor.
(3)CA Government Code § 65913.5(e)(3) “Urban infill site” means a site that satisfies all of the following:
(A)CA Government Code § 65913.5(e)(3)(A) A site that is a legal parcel or parcels located in a city if, and only if, the city boundaries include some portion of either an urbanized area or urban cluster, as designated by the United States Census Bureau, or, for unincorporated areas, a legal parcel or parcels wholly within the boundaries of an urbanized area or urban cluster, as designated by the United States Census Bureau.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.5(e)(3)(B) A site in which at least 75 percent of the perimeter of the site adjoins parcels that are developed with urban uses. For the purposes of this section, parcels that are only separated by a street or highway shall be considered to be adjoined.
(C)CA Government Code § 65913.5(e)(3)(C) A site that is zoned for residential use or residential mixed-use development, or has a general plan designation that allows residential use or a mix of residential and nonresidential uses, with at least two-thirds of the square footage of the development designated for residential use.
(f)CA Government Code § 65913.5(f) The Legislature finds and declares that provision of adequate housing, in light of the severe shortage of housing at all income levels in this state, is a matter of statewide concern and is not a municipal affair as that term is used in Section 5 of Article XI of the California Constitution. Therefore, this section applies to all cities, including charter cities.

Section § 65913.6

Explanation

This law allows religious institutions in California to develop housing projects on their properties without having to replace religious-use parking spaces they might eliminate. These projects must meet certain criteria, such as being on land owned by the religious institution and qualifying for a density bonus.

A local government cannot require replacing more than 50% of existing parking or a preexisting parking deficit. However, post-project parking still needs to meet some standards, with exceptions for properties near public transit or car-share services.

The law ensures that the need for housing is prioritized and applied universally across all cities in the state, addressing the severe housing shortage. Requirements for electric vehicle and disabled-accessible parking remain unaffected.

(a)CA Government Code § 65913.6(a) For purposes of this section, all of the following definitions shall apply:
(1)CA Government Code § 65913.6(a)(1) “Housing development project” means a housing development project as defined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (h) of Section 65589.5.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.6(a)(2) “Local agency” means any county, city, or city and county, including a charter city, or city and county.
(3)CA Government Code § 65913.6(a)(3) “Place of worship” means a property owned or operated by a religious institution, that is used for the purpose of regular assembly by members of the institution.
(4)CA Government Code § 65913.6(a)(4) “Religious institution” means an institution owned, controlled, and operated and maintained by a bona fide church, religious denomination, or religious organization composed of multidenominational members of the same well-recognized religion, lawfully operating as a nonprofit religious corporation pursuant to Part 4 (commencing with Section 9110) of Division 2 of Title 1 of the Corporations Code.
(5)CA Government Code § 65913.6(a)(5) “Religious institution affiliated housing development project” means a housing development project that meets all of the following criteria:
(A)CA Government Code § 65913.6(a)(5)(A) The housing development project is located on one or more contiguous parcels that are each owned entirely, whether directly or through a wholly owned company or corporation, by a religious institution.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.6(a)(5)(B) The housing development project qualifies as being near colocated religious-use parking spaces by being any of the following:
(i)CA Government Code § 65913.6(a)(5)(B)(i) Located on one or more parcels that collectively contain religious-use parking spaces.
(ii)CA Government Code § 65913.6(a)(5)(B)(ii) Located adjacent to a parcel owned by the religious institution that contains religious-use parking spaces.
(iii)CA Government Code § 65913.6(a)(5)(B)(iii) Located on one or more parcels separated by no more than 0.1 miles from a parcel owned by the religious institution that contains religious-use parking spaces.
(C)CA Government Code § 65913.6(a)(5)(C) The housing development project qualifies for a density bonus under Section 65915.
(6)CA Government Code § 65913.6(a)(6) “Religious-use parking spaces” means parking spaces that are required under the local agency’s parking requirements for existing places of worship, or parking spaces that would be required in a proposed development for a new place of worship.
(b)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.6(b)
(1)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.6(b)(1) Notwithstanding any other law or ordinance, a local agency shall not require the replacement of religious-use parking spaces that a developer of a religious institution affiliated housing development project proposes to eliminate, or reduce in the case of a plan for a new development, as part of that housing development project pursuant to this section.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.6(b)(2) The number of religious-use parking spaces requested to be eliminated, or reduced in the case of a plan for a new development, by a developer of a religious institution affiliated housing development project pursuant to this section shall not exceed the following:
(A)CA Government Code § 65913.6(b)(2)(A) In the case of an existing place of worship to be retained, 50 percent of the number of religious-use parking spaces that are available at the time the request is made.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.6(b)(2)(B) In the case of a newly constructed place of worship, 50 percent of the number of religious-use parking spaces that would be required for a newly constructed place of worship.
(3)CA Government Code § 65913.6(b)(3) The elimination of religious-use parking spaces pursuant to a religious institution affiliated housing development project that has been approved by a local agency does not constitute a concession pursuant to Section 65915.
(c)CA Government Code § 65913.6(c) Notwithstanding any other law or ordinance, a local agency shall not require the curing of any preexisting deficit of the number of religious-use parking spaces as a condition of approval of a religious institution affiliated housing development project.
(d)CA Government Code § 65913.6(d) Notwithstanding any other law or ordinance, a local agency shall allow the number of religious-use parking spaces that will be available after completion of a religious institution affiliated housing development project to count toward the number of parking spaces otherwise required for approval of the housing development project under any other law or ordinance.
(e)CA Government Code § 65913.6(e) Notwithstanding any other law or ordinance, a local agency shall not deny a proposed religious institution affiliated housing development project solely on the basis that the project will reduce the total number of parking spaces available at the place of worship provided that the total reduction does not exceed 50 percent of existing parking spaces, or 50 percent of the parking spaces that would be required of a new development of a place of worship.
(f)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.6(f)
(1)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.6(f)(1) Notwithstanding any provision of this section, except as provided in paragraph (3), the reduction in parking spaces authorized in this section shall not reduce the minimum parking standards that a local agency may require of a religious institution affiliated housing development project below one space per unit.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.6(f)(2) For the purposes of this subdivision, a local agency shall not be required to allow the remaining religious-use parking spaces to count toward the number of parking spaces otherwise required for approval of the housing development project as provided in subdivision (d) to the extent that the application of subdivision (d) would prohibit a local agency from requiring up to one parking space per unit.
(3)CA Government Code § 65913.6(f)(3) This subdivision shall not apply to a religious institution affiliated housing development project if either of the following is true:
(A)CA Government Code § 65913.6(f)(3)(A) The parcel is located within one-half mile walking distance of public transit. For the purposes of this paragraph, “public transit” means either a high-quality transit corridor as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 21155 of the Public Resources Code or a major transit stop as defined in Section 21064.3 of the Public Resources Code.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.6(f)(3)(B) There is a car share vehicle located within one block of the parcel.
(g)CA Government Code § 65913.6(g) This section shall not reduce, eliminate, or preclude the enforcement of any requirement imposed on a new development to provide electric vehicle supply equipment installed parking spaces or parking spaces that are accessible to persons with disabilities that otherwise applies.
(h)CA Government Code § 65913.6(h) The Legislature finds and declares that the provision of adequate housing, in light of the severe shortage of housing at all income levels in this state, is a matter of statewide concern rather than a municipal affair as that term is used in Section 5 of Article XI of the California Constitution, and therefore this section applies to all cities, including charter cities.

Section § 65913.7

Explanation

This law states that if a court decides a city or county has violated specific housing regulations (Sections 65913.1 or 65913.2), the city or county must correct the violation within 60 days. The court keeps the power to make sure this happens. If fixing the issue in 60 days is too difficult for the city or county, the court can give them an extra 60 days to comply.

If a court finds that an action of a city, county, or city and county is in violation of Section 65913.1 or 65913.2, the city, county, or city and county shall bring its action into compliance within 60 days. However, the court shall retain jurisdiction to enforce its decision. Upon the court’s determination that the 60-day period for compliance would place an undue hardship on the city, county, or city and county, the court may extend the time period for compliance by an additional 60 days.

Section § 65913.8

Explanation

This law section states that if a local agency charges a fee for a public facility improvement related to a development project, that fee cannot cover costs for maintenance or operation. Fees for maintenance or operation are only allowed in specific cases. First, if the improvement is solely for a specific development with 19 or fewer units and forming a public entity for maintenance is impractical. Second, if the improvement is within certain utility or district types, like water or sewer districts, maintenance fees can be charged for up to 24 months until a public entity is created or an existing district annexes the improvement. Fees can be extended if needed, but evidence must support why the extension is necessary.

A fee, charge, or other form of payment imposed by a governing body of a local agency for a public capital facility improvement related to a development project may not include an amount for the maintenance or operation of an improvement when the fee, charge, or other form of payment is required as a condition of the approval of a development project, or required to fulfill a condition of the approval. However, a fee, charge, or other form of payment may be required for the maintenance and operation of an improvement meeting the criteria of either subdivision (a) or (b), as follows:
(a)CA Government Code § 65913.8(a) The improvement is (1) designed and installed to serve only the specific development project on which the fee, charge, or other form of payment is imposed, (2) the improvement serves 19 or fewer lots or units, and (3) the local agency makes a finding, based upon substantial evidence, that it is infeasible or impractical to form a public entity for maintenance of the improvement or to annex the property served by the improvement to an entity as described in subdivision (b).
(b)CA Government Code § 65913.8(b) The improvement is within a water district, sewer maintenance district, street lighting district, or drainage district. In these circumstances, a payment for maintenance or operation may be required for a period not to exceed 24 months when, subsequent to the construction of the improvement, either the local agency forms a public entity or assessment district to finance the maintenance or operation, or the area containing the improvement is annexed to a public entity that will finance the maintenance or operation, whichever is earlier. The local agency may extend a fee, charge, or other form of payment pursuant to this section once for whatever duration it deems reasonable beyond the 24-month period upon making a finding, based upon substantial evidence, that this time period is insufficient for creation of, or annexation to, a public entity or an assessment district that would finance the maintenance or operation.
As used in this section, “development project” and “local agency” have the same meaning as provided in subdivisions (a) and (c) of Section 66000.

Section § 65913.9

Explanation

This law applies to all areas in California, including both cities and counties. It highlights that creating enough housing for everyone in the state is an important issue that affects the whole state.

This chapter shall apply to all cities, including charter cities, counties, and cities and counties.
The Legislature finds and declares that the development of a sufficient supply of housing to meet the needs of all Californians is a matter of statewide concern.

Section § 65913.10

Explanation

This law mandates that cities or counties in California must determine whether the site of a proposed housing development is historic when the project's application is deemed complete. This decision remains valid unless discoveries of archaeological, paleontological, or tribal cultural resources occur during site work. "Deemed complete" means all requirements on the provided checklist at application submission are met.

Additionally, the law does not alter existing environmental or coastal protection laws.

(a)CA Government Code § 65913.10(a) For purposes of any state or local law, ordinance, or regulation that requires the city or county to determine whether the site of a proposed housing development project is a historic site, the city or county shall make that determination at the time the application for the housing development project is deemed complete. A determination as to whether a parcel of property is a historic site shall remain valid during the pendency of the housing development project for which the application was made unless any archaeological, paleontological, or tribal cultural resources are encountered during any grading, site disturbance, or building alteration activities.
(b)CA Government Code § 65913.10(b) For purposes of this section:
(1)CA Government Code § 65913.10(b)(1) “Deemed complete” means that the application has met all of the requirements specified in the relevant list compiled pursuant to Section 65940 that was available at the time when the application was submitted.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.10(b)(2) “Housing development project” has the same meaning as defined in paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 65905.5.
(c)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.10(c)
(1)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.10(c)(1) Nothing in this section supersedes, limits, or otherwise modifies the requirements of, or the standards of review pursuant to, Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.10(c)(2) Nothing in this section supersedes, limits, or otherwise modifies the requirements of the California Coastal Act of 1976 (Division 20 (commencing with Section 30000) of the Public Resources Code).

Section § 65913.11

Explanation

This law prevents local governments from imposing certain restrictions on small housing projects with 3 to 10 units, if they meet specific criteria. For projects with 3 to 7 units, the floor area ratio (FAR) can't be below 1.0, and for those with 8 to 10 units, it can't be below 1.25. Additionally, such projects can't be denied based solely on not meeting local minimum lot size requirements. To qualify, the projects must be in multifamily or mixed-use zones, not in single-family or historic zones, and located within urban areas.

Local agencies can still enforce other design standards, but they can't impose lot coverage rules that prevent these projects from meeting the FAR standards. The law defines key terms like 'housing development project' and clarifies that accessory and junior accessory dwelling units don't count as 'units' in this context.

(a)CA Government Code § 65913.11(a) With respect to a housing development project that meets the requirements of subdivision (b), a local agency shall not do any of the following:
(1)CA Government Code § 65913.11(a)(1) For a housing development project consisting of three to seven units, impose a floor area ratio standard that is less than 1.0.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.11(a)(2) For a housing development project consisting of 8 to 10 units, impose a floor area ratio standard that is less than 1.25.
(3)CA Government Code § 65913.11(a)(3) Deny a housing development project proposed to be developed on an existing legal parcel solely on the basis that the lot area of that existing parcel does not meet the local agency’s requirements for minimum lot size.
(b)CA Government Code § 65913.11(b) To be eligible for the provisions in subdivision (a), a housing development project shall meet all of the following conditions:
(1)CA Government Code § 65913.11(b)(1) The project consists of at least 3, but not more than 10, units.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.11(b)(2) The project is located in a multifamily residential zone or a mixed-use zone, as designated by the local agency, and is not located in either of the following:
(A)CA Government Code § 65913.11(b)(2)(A) Within a single-family zone.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.11(b)(2)(B) Within a historic district or property included on the State Historic Resources Inventory, as defined in Section 5020.1 of the Public Resources Code, or within a site that is designated or listed as a city or county landmark or historic property or district pursuant to a city or county ordinance.
(3)CA Government Code § 65913.11(b)(3) The project is located on a legal parcel or parcels located in a city if, and only if, the city boundaries include some portion of either an urbanized area or urban cluster, as designated by the United States Census Bureau, or, for unincorporated areas, a legal parcel or parcels wholly within the boundaries of an urbanized area or urban cluster, as designated by the United States Census Bureau.
(c)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.11(c)
(1)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.11(c)(1) This section shall not be construed to prohibit a local agency from imposing any zoning or design standards, including, but not limited to, building height and setbacks, on a housing development project that meets the requirements of subdivision (b), other than zoning or design standards that establish floor area ratios or lot size requirements that expressly conflict with the standards in subdivision (a).
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.11(c)(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a local agency may not impose a lot coverage requirement that would physically preclude a housing development project that meets the requirements established in subdivision (b) from achieving the floor area ratio allowed in subdivision (a).
(d)CA Government Code § 65913.11(d) As used in this section:
(1)CA Government Code § 65913.11(d)(1) “Housing development project” means a housing development project as defined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (h) of Section 65589.5.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.11(d)(2) “Local agency” means a county, city, or city and county, including a charter city, or city and county.
(3)CA Government Code § 65913.11(d)(3) “Unit” means a unit of housing, but shall not include an accessory dwelling unit or a junior accessory dwelling unit.

Section § 65913.12

Explanation

This section defines key terms and outlines the rules for extremely affordable adaptive reuse housing projects. These projects retrofit existing buildings to create new residential units exclusively for lower income families.

To qualify, the project must be within an existing building, located on an infill parcel, and meet specific affordability guidelines. It cannot displace industrial use sites or existing open spaces. Local agencies can impose design standards but not force changes like increasing density or adding parking.

If a local agency decides a project doesn’t meet standards, they must notify developers within a set time or the project is automatically accepted. Agencies can deny projects on industrial sites if they threaten public health or safety.

(a)CA Government Code § 65913.12(a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
(1)CA Government Code § 65913.12(a)(1) “Dedicated to industrial use” means any of the following:
(A)CA Government Code § 65913.12(a)(1)(A) The square footage is currently being used as an industrial use.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.12(a)(1)(B) The most recently permitted use of the square footage is an industrial use.
(C)CA Government Code § 65913.12(a)(1)(C) The site was designated for industrial use in the latest version of a local government’s general plan adopted before January 1, 2022.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.12(a)(2) “Development proponent” means a developer who submits a housing development project application to a local agency pursuant to this section.
(3)CA Government Code § 65913.12(a)(3) “Extremely affordable adaptive reuse project” means a housing development project that meets the following criteria:
(A)CA Government Code § 65913.12(a)(3)(A) The development is a multifamily housing development project.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.12(a)(3)(B) The development involves the retrofitting and repurposing of a residential building or commercial building that currently allows temporary dwelling or occupancy, to create new residential units.
(C)CA Government Code § 65913.12(a)(3)(C) The development will be entirely within the envelope of the existing building.
(D)CA Government Code § 65913.12(a)(3)(D) The development meets all of the following affordability criteria:
(i)CA Government Code § 65913.12(a)(3)(D)(i) One hundred percent of the units within the development project, excluding managers’ units, shall be dedicated to lower income households at an affordable housing cost, as defined by Section 50052.5 of the Health and Safety Code, or an affordable rent set in an amount consistent with the rent limits established by the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee.
(ii)CA Government Code § 65913.12(a)(3)(D)(ii) At least 50 percent of the units within the development project shall be dedicated to very low income households at an affordable housing cost, as defined by Section 50052.5 of the Health and Safety Code, or an affordable rent set in an amount consistent with the rent limits established by the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee.
(iii)CA Government Code § 65913.12(a)(3)(D)(iii) The units shall be subject to a recorded deed restriction for a period of 55 years for rental units and 45 years for owner-occupied units.
(4)CA Government Code § 65913.12(a)(4) “Housing development project” has the same meaning as defined in Section 65589.5.
(5)CA Government Code § 65913.12(a)(5) “Industrial use” means utilities, manufacturing, transportation storage and maintenance facilities, and warehousing uses. “Industrial use” does not include power substations or utility conveyances such as power lines, broadband wires, and pipes.
(6)CA Government Code § 65913.12(a)(6) “Infill parcel” means a parcel that is either of the following:
(A)CA Government Code § 65913.12(a)(6)(A) At least 75 percent of the perimeter of the site of the development adjoins parcels that are developed with urban uses. For purposes of this paragraph, parcels that are separated by a street or highway shall be considered adjoined.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.12(a)(6)(B) The parcel is within one-half mile of public transit.
(7)CA Government Code § 65913.12(a)(7) “Local agency” means a city, including a charter city, a county, including a charter county, or a city and county, including a charter city and county.
(8)CA Government Code § 65913.12(a)(8) “Lower income households” has the same meaning as defined in Section 50079.5 of the Health and Safety Code.
(9)CA Government Code § 65913.12(a)(9) “Public transit” means a major transit stop as defined in Section 21064.3 of the Public Resources Code.
(10)CA Government Code § 65913.12(a)(10) “Very low income households” has the same meaning as defined in Section 50105 of the Health and Safety Code.
(b)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.12(b)
(1)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.12(b)(1) Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of a local agency’s general plan, specific plan, zoning ordinance, or regulation, a housing development project submitted pursuant to this section shall be an allowable use if it meets the following objective planning standards:
(A)CA Government Code § 65913.12(b)(1)(A) The development is an extremely affordable adaptive reuse project.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.12(b)(1)(B) The development is proposed to be located on a site that is an infill parcel.
(C)CA Government Code § 65913.12(b)(1)(C) The development is not proposed to be located on a site or adjoined to any site where more than one-third of the square footage on the site is dedicated to industrial use. For purposes of this paragraph, parcels only separated by a street or highway shall be considered adjoined.
(D)CA Government Code § 65913.12(b)(1)(D) The development does not eliminate any existing open space on the parcel.
(E)CA Government Code § 65913.12(b)(1)(E) For developments of 50 units or more, the development shall provide onsite management services.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.12(b)(2) Except as specified in paragraph (3), a local agency may impose objective design review standards for a housing development project submitted pursuant to this section.
(3)CA Government Code § 65913.12(b)(3) A local agency shall not impose or require the curing of any preexisting deficit of or conflict with any of the following standards on a project submitted for review pursuant to this section:
(A)CA Government Code § 65913.12(b)(3)(A) Any maximum density requirements.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.12(b)(3)(B) Any maximum floor area ratio requirements.
(C)CA Government Code § 65913.12(b)(3)(C) Any requirement to add additional parking.
(D)CA Government Code § 65913.12(b)(3)(D) Any requirement to add additional open space.
(4)CA Government Code § 65913.12(b)(4) A local agency may deny a project specified in paragraph (1) that is proposed to be located on a site or adjoined to any site where any of the square footage on the site is dedicated to industrial use if the local agency makes written findings that approving the development would have an adverse effect on public health and safety.
(c)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.12(c)
(1)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.12(c)(1) For purposes of the Housing Accountability Act (Section 65589.5), a proposed housing development that is consistent with the provisions of subdivision (b) shall be deemed consistent, compliant, and in conformity with an applicable plan, program, policy, ordinance, standard, requirement, or other similar provision.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.12(c)(2) If a local agency determines that a development submitted pursuant to this section is in conflict with any of the objective planning standards specified in or an objective design review standard imposed pursuant to subdivision (b), it shall provide the development proponent written documentation of which standard or standards the development conflicts with, and an explanation for the reason or reasons the development conflicts with that standard or standards, within the following timeframes:
(A)CA Government Code § 65913.12(c)(2)(A) Within 60 days of submittal of the completed proposal for the development project to the local agency if the development contains 150 or fewer housing units.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.12(c)(2)(B) Within 90 days of submittal of the completed proposal for the development project to the local agency if the development contains more than 150 housing units.
(3)CA Government Code § 65913.12(c)(3) If a local agency does not make a timely determination within the timeframes described in paragraph (2), the application shall be deemed consistent, compliant, and in conformity with an applicable plan, program, policy, ordinance, standard, requirement, or other similar provision.

Section § 65913.15

Explanation

This California law section provides a streamlined approval process for certain housing developments in specified cities. To qualify, the development must meet several criteria, such as being within certain city boundaries, having a minimum residential component, holding a public meeting, meeting density requirements, and not being on certain types of protected or hazardous lands. Developments must comply with sustainability standards and avoid demolishing historic buildings or affordable housing without replacement. The law limits the ability of local governments to impose new requirements solely because of streamlined approval and allows for certain exceptions regarding parking requirements near transit. Local governments must evaluate developments within specific timeframes and approvals may have varying durations based on affordability of the housing provided. Certain standards are defined to ensure objective measures of compliance, and the section is set to expire on January 1, 2026.

(a)CA Government Code § 65913.15(a) Notwithstanding Section 65913.4, a development proponent may submit an application for a development that is subject to the streamlined, ministerial approval process provided by subdivision (b) and is not subject to a conditional use permit if the development satisfies all of the following objective planning standards:
(1)CA Government Code § 65913.15(a)(1) The development is located within the territorial boundaries or a specialized residential planning area identified in the general plan of, and adjacent to existing urban development within, any of the following:
(A)CA Government Code § 65913.15(a)(1)(A) The City of Biggs.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.15(a)(1)(B) The City of Corning.
(C)CA Government Code § 65913.15(a)(1)(C) The City of Gridley.
(D)CA Government Code § 65913.15(a)(1)(D) The City of Live Oak.
(E)CA Government Code § 65913.15(a)(1)(E) The City of Orland.
(F)CA Government Code § 65913.15(a)(1)(F) The City of Oroville.
(G)CA Government Code § 65913.15(a)(1)(G) The City of Willows.
(H)CA Government Code § 65913.15(a)(1)(H) The City of Yuba City.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.15(a)(2) The development is either a residential development or a mixed-use development that includes residential units with at least two-thirds of the square footage of the development designated for residential use, not including any land that may be devoted to open-space or mitigation requirements.
(3)CA Government Code § 65913.15(a)(3) The development proponent has held at least one public meeting on the proposed development before submitting an application pursuant to this subdivision.
(4)CA Government Code § 65913.15(a)(4) The development has a minimum density of at least four units per acre.
(5)CA Government Code § 65913.15(a)(5) The development is located on a site that meets both of the following requirements:
(A)CA Government Code § 65913.15(a)(5)(A) The site is no more than 50 acres.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.15(a)(5)(B) The site is zoned for residential use or residential mixed-use development.
(6)CA Government Code § 65913.15(a)(6) The development, excluding any additional density or any other concessions, incentives, or waivers of development standards granted pursuant to the Density Bonus Law in Section 65915, is consistent with objective zoning standards, objective subdivision standards, and objective design review standards in effect at the time that the development is submitted to the local government pursuant to this section.
(7)CA Government Code § 65913.15(a)(7) The development will achieve sustainability standards sufficient to receive a gold certification under the United States Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Homes rating system or, in the case of a mixed-use development, the Neighborhood Development or the New Construction rating system, or the comparable rating under the GreenPoint rating system or voluntary tier under the California Green Building Code (Part 11 (commencing with Section 101) of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations).
(8)CA Government Code § 65913.15(a)(8) The development is not located on a site that is any of the following:
(A)CA Government Code § 65913.15(a)(8)(A) Either prime farmland or farmland of statewide importance, as defined pursuant to United States Department of Agriculture land inventory and monitoring criteria, as modified for California, and designated on the maps prepared by the Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program of the Department of Conservation that is protected pursuant to the California Land Conservation Act of 1965 (Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 51200) of Part 1 of Division 1 of Title 5), or land zoned or designated for agricultural protection or preservation by a local ballot measure that was approved by the voters of that jurisdiction.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.15(a)(8)(B) Wetlands, as defined in the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Manual, Part 660 FW 2 (June 21, 1993).
(C)CA Government Code § 65913.15(a)(8)(C) Within a very high fire hazard severity zone, as determined by the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection pursuant to Section 51178, or within a high or very high fire hazard severity zone as indicated on maps adopted by the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection pursuant to Section 4202 of the Public Resources Code.
(D)CA Government Code § 65913.15(a)(8)(D) A hazardous waste site that is listed pursuant to Section 65962.5 or a hazardous waste site designated by the Department of Toxic Substances Control pursuant to Article 5 (commencing with Section 78760) of Chapter 4 of Part 2 of Division 45 of the Health and Safety Code, unless the Department of Toxic Substances Control has cleared the site for residential use or residential mixed uses.
(E)CA Government Code § 65913.15(a)(8)(E) Within a delineated earthquake fault zone as determined by the State Geologist in any official maps published by the State Geologist, unless the development complies with applicable seismic protection building code standards adopted by the California Building Standards Commission under the California Building Standards Law (Part 2.5 (commencing with Section 18901) of Division 13 of the Health and Safety Code), and by any local building department under Chapter 12.2 (commencing with Section 8875) of Division 1 of Title 2.
(F)CA Government Code § 65913.15(a)(8)(F) Within a special flood hazard area subject to inundation by the 1 percent annual chance flood (100-year flood) as determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in any official maps published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. If a development proponent is able to satisfy all applicable federal qualifying criteria in order to provide that the site satisfies this subparagraph and is otherwise eligible for streamlined approval under this section, a local government shall not deny the application on the basis that the development proponent did not comply with any additional permit requirement, standard, or action adopted by that local government that is applicable to that site. A development may be located on a site described in this subparagraph if either of the following are met:
(i)CA Government Code § 65913.15(a)(8)(F)(i) The site has been subject to a Letter of Map Revision prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and issued to the local government.
(ii)CA Government Code § 65913.15(a)(8)(F)(ii) The site meets Federal Emergency Management Agency requirements necessary to meet minimum flood plain management criteria of the National Flood Insurance Program pursuant to Part 59 (commencing with Section 59.1) and Part 60 (commencing with Section 60.1) of Subchapter B of Chapter I of Title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(G)CA Government Code § 65913.15(a)(8)(G) Within a regulatory floodway as determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in any official maps published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
(H)CA Government Code § 65913.15(a)(8)(H) Lands identified for conservation in an adopted natural community conservation plan adopted on or before January 1, 2019, pursuant to the Natural Community Conservation Planning Act (Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 2800) of Division 3 of the Fish and Game Code), habitat conservation plan pursuant to the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. Sec. 1531 et seq.), or other adopted natural resource protection plan.
(I)CA Government Code § 65913.15(a)(8)(I) Habitat for protected species identified as candidate, sensitive, or species of special status by state or federal agencies, fully protected species, or species protected by any of the following:
(i)CA Government Code § 65913.15(a)(8)(I)(i) The federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. Sec. 1531 et seq.).
(ii)CA Government Code § 65913.15(a)(8)(I)(ii) The California Endangered Species Act (Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 2050) of Division 3 of the Fish and Game Code).
(iii)CA Government Code § 65913.15(a)(8)(I)(iii) The Native Plant Protection Act (Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 1900) of Division 2 of the Fish and Game Code).
(J)CA Government Code § 65913.15(a)(8)(J) Lands under conservation easement.
(9)CA Government Code § 65913.15(a)(9) The development does not require the demolition of a historic structure that was placed on a national, state, or local historic register.
(10)CA Government Code § 65913.15(a)(10) The development shall not be upon an existing parcel of land or site that is governed under any of the following:
(A)CA Government Code § 65913.15(a)(10)(A) The Mobilehome Residency Law (Chapter 2.5 (commencing with Section 798) of Title 2 of Part 2 of Division 2 of the Civil Code).
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.15(a)(10)(B) The Recreational Vehicle Park Occupancy Law (Chapter 2.6 (commencing with Section 799.20) of Title 2 of Part 2 of Division 2 of the Civil Code).
(C)CA Government Code § 65913.15(a)(10)(C) The Mobilehome Parks Act (Part 2.1 (commencing with Section 18200) of Division 13 of the Health and Safety Code).
(D)CA Government Code § 65913.15(a)(10)(D) The Special Occupancy Parks Act (Part 2.3 (commencing with Section 18860) of Division 13 of the Health and Safety Code).
(11)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.15(a)(11)
(A)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.15(a)(11)(A) If the development would require the demolition of any affordable housing units, the development shall replace those units by providing at least the same number of units of equivalent size to be made available at affordable housing cost to, and occupied by, persons and families in the same income category as those households in occupancy. If the income category of the household in occupancy is not known, it shall be rebuttably presumed that lower income households occupied the units in the same proportion of lower income households to all households within the jurisdiction, as determined by the most recently available data from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy database. All replacement calculations resulting in fractional units shall be rounded to the next whole number.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.15(a)(11)(A)(B) For purposes of this paragraph, “equivalent size” means that the replacement units contain at least the same total number of bedrooms as the units being replaced.
(b)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.15(b)
(1)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.15(b)(1) If a local government determines that a development submitted pursuant to this section is in conflict with any of the objective planning standards specified in subdivision (a), it shall provide the development proponent written documentation of which standard or standards the development conflicts with, and an explanation for the reason or reasons the development conflicts with that standard or standards, as follows:
(A)CA Government Code § 65913.15(b)(1)(A) Within 60 days of submittal of the development to the local government pursuant to this section if the development contains 150 or fewer housing units.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.15(b)(1)(B) Within 90 days of submittal of the development to the local government pursuant to this section if the development contains more than 150 housing units.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.15(b)(2) If the local government fails to provide the required documentation pursuant to paragraph (1), the development shall be deemed to satisfy the objective planning standards specified in subdivision (a).
(c)CA Government Code § 65913.15(c) Any design review or public oversight of the development may be conducted by the local government’s planning commission or any equivalent commission responsible for review and approval of development projects or the city council, as appropriate. That design review or public oversight shall be objective and be strictly focused on assessing compliance with criteria required for streamlined projects, as well as any reasonable objective design standards published and adopted by ordinance or resolution by a local government before submission of a development application, and shall be broadly applicable to development within the jurisdiction. That design review or public oversight shall be completed as follows and shall not in any way inhibit, chill, or preclude the ministerial approval provided by this section or its effect, as applicable:
(1)CA Government Code § 65913.15(c)(1) Within 90 days of submittal of the development to the local government pursuant to this section if the development contains 150 or fewer housing units.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.15(c)(2) Within 180 days of submittal of the development to the local government pursuant to this section if the development contains more than 150 housing units.
(d)CA Government Code § 65913.15(d) Notwithstanding any other law, a city, whether or not it has adopted an ordinance governing automobile parking requirements for multifamily developments, shall not impose automobile parking standards for a streamlined development that was approved pursuant to this section if the development is located within one-half mile from a high-quality bus corridor or major transit stop.
(e)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.15(e)
(1)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.15(e)(1) If a local government approves a development pursuant to this section, then, notwithstanding any other law, that approval shall not expire if the project includes public investment in housing affordability and 50 percent of the units are affordable to households making below 80 percent of the area median income. For purposes of this paragraph, “public investment in housing affordability” does not include tax credits.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.15(e)(2) If a local government approves a development pursuant to this section and the project does not include 50 percent of the units affordable to households making below 80 percent of the area median income, that approval shall automatically expire after three years, except that a project may receive a one-time, one-year extension if the project proponent provides documentation that there has been significant progress toward getting the development construction ready, such as filing a building permit application.
(3)CA Government Code § 65913.15(e)(3) If a local government approves a development pursuant to this section, that approval shall remain valid for three years from the date of the final action establishing that approval and shall remain valid thereafter for a project so long as vertical construction of the development has begun and is in progress. Additionally, the development proponent may request, and the local government shall have discretion to grant, an additional one-year extension to the original three-year period. The local government’s action and discretion in determining whether to grant the foregoing extension shall be limited to considerations and process set forth in this section.
(4)CA Government Code § 65913.15(e)(4) If a local government approves a development pursuant to this section, the local government shall file a notice of that approval with the Office of Planning and Research.
(f)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.15(f)
(1)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.15(f)(1) A local government shall not adopt any requirement, including, but not limited to, increased fees or inclusionary housing requirements, that applies to a project solely or partially on the basis that the project is eligible to receive ministerial or streamlined approval pursuant to this section.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.15(f)(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), if the local government has adopted a local ordinance that requires that a specified percentage of the units of a housing development project be dedicated to households making below 80 percent of the area median income, that local ordinance applies.
(g)CA Government Code § 65913.15(g) This section does not affect a development proponent’s ability to use any alternative streamlined by right permit processing adopted by a local government, including the provisions of subdivision (i) of Section 65583.2.
(h)CA Government Code § 65913.15(h) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
(1)CA Government Code § 65913.15(h)(1) “Affordable housing” means housing available at affordable housing cost, and occupied by, persons and families of low or moderate income as defined by Section 50093 of the Health and Safety Code, lower income households as defined by Section 50079.5 of the Health and Safety Code, very low income households as defined by Section 50105 of the Health and Safety Code, and extremely low income households as defined by Section 50106 of the Health and Safety Code, for a period of 55 years for rental housing and 45 years for owner-occupied housing.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.15(h)(2) “Affordable housing cost” has the same meaning as “affordable housing cost” described in Section 50052.5 of the Health and Safety Code.
(3)CA Government Code § 65913.15(h)(3) “Area median income” means area median income as periodically established by the Department of Housing and Community Development pursuant to Section 50093 of the Health and Safety Code.
(4)CA Government Code § 65913.15(h)(4) “Development proponent” means the developer who submits an application for streamlined approval pursuant to this section.
(5)CA Government Code § 65913.15(h)(5) “High-quality bus corridor” means a corridor with fixed route bus service with service intervals no longer than 15 minutes during peak commute hours.
(6)CA Government Code § 65913.15(h)(6) “Local government” means a city or a county, including a charter city or a charter county, that has jurisdiction over a development for which a development proponent submits an application pursuant to this section.
(7)CA Government Code § 65913.15(h)(7) “Major transit stop” means a site containing an existing rail transit station, a ferry terminal served by either a bus or rail transit service, or the intersection of two or more major bus routes with a frequency of service interval of 15 minutes or less during the morning and afternoon peak commute periods. “Major transit stop” shall also include major transit stops included in a regional transportation plan adopted pursuant to Chapter 2.5 (commencing with Section 65080).
(8)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.15(h)(8)
(A)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.15(h)(8)(A) “Objective zoning standards,” “objective subdivision standards,” and “objective design review standards” mean standards that involve no personal or subjective judgment by a public official and are uniformly verifiable by reference to an external and uniform benchmark or criterion available and knowable by both the development applicant or proponent and the public official before submittal. These standards may be embodied in alternative objective land use specifications adopted by a local government, and may include, but are not limited to, housing overlay zones, specific plans, inclusionary zoning ordinances, and density bonus ordinances, subject to subparagraph (B).
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.15(h)(8)(A)(B) A development shall be deemed consistent with the objective zoning standards related to housing density, as applicable, if the density proposed is consistent with the allowable residential density within that land use designation, notwithstanding any specified unit allocation.
(i)CA Government Code § 65913.15(i) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2026, and as of that date is repealed.

Section § 65913.16

Explanation

This law is called the Affordable Housing on Faith and Higher Education Lands Act of 2023. It allows the streamlined approval of affordable housing projects on land owned by religious institutions or independent colleges. To qualify, the project must meet specific criteria, such as being designated for lower-income households and being located in certain areas. The law sets clear definitions, ensures projects comply with local standards not conflicting with this section, and includes labor and environmental assessment requirements.

The housing must not be near heavy industrial sites, and all units must stay affordable for a specified time. Developments of 50 or more units must fulfill specific labor standards and wage requirements, while smaller projects also have wage requirements but with potential exceptions.

Developments have flexibility with density and height limits, can include ground-floor commercial uses, and may include previous religious or legal uses. There are relaxed parking requirements if near public transportation. The law mandates local governments process applications quickly and prohibits new fees based on streamlined review eligibility.

This section is valid until January 1, 2036, and applies to all local governments, including charter cities. It's considered a matter of statewide concern rather than a municipal affair.

(a)CA Government Code § 65913.16(a) This section shall be known, and may be cited, as the Affordable Housing on Faith and Higher Education Lands Act of 2023.
(b)CA Government Code § 65913.16(b) For purposes of this section:
(1)CA Government Code § 65913.16(b)(1) “Applicant” means a qualified developer who submits an application for streamlined approval pursuant to this section.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.16(b)(2) “Development proponent” means a developer that submits a housing development project application to a local government under the streamlined, ministerial review process pursuant to this chapter.
(3)CA Government Code § 65913.16(b)(3) “Health care expenditures” include contributions pursuant to Section 501(c) or (d) or 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code and payments toward “medical care” as defined in Section 213(d)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code.
(4)CA Government Code § 65913.16(b)(4) “Heavy industrial use” means a use that is a source, other than a Title V source, as defined by Section 39053.5 of the Health and Safety Code, that is subject to permitting by a district, as defined in Section 39025 of the Health and Safety Code, pursuant to Division 26 (commencing with Section 39000) of the Health and Safety Code or the federal Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 7401 et seq.). A use where the only source permitted by a district is an emergency backup generator, and the source is in compliance with permitted emissions and operating limits, is not a heavy industrial use.
(5)CA Government Code § 65913.16(b)(5) “Housing development project” has the same meaning as defined in Section 65589.5.
(6)CA Government Code § 65913.16(b)(6) “Independent institution of higher education” has the same meaning as defined in Section 66010 of the Education Code.
(7)CA Government Code § 65913.16(b)(7) “Light industrial use” means an industrial use that is not subject to permitting by a district, as defined in Section 39025 of the Health and Safety Code.
(8)CA Government Code § 65913.16(b)(8) “Local government” means a city, including a charter city, county, including a charter county, or city and county, including a charter city and county.
(9)CA Government Code § 65913.16(b)(9) “Qualified developer” means any of the following:
(A)CA Government Code § 65913.16(b)(9)(A) A local public entity, as defined in Section 50079 of the Health and Safety Code.
(B)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.16(b)(9)(B)
(i)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.16(b)(9)(B)(i) A developer that is a nonprofit corporation, a limited partnership in which a managing general partner is a nonprofit corporation, or a limited liability company in which a managing member is a nonprofit corporation.
(ii)CA Government Code § 65913.16(b)(9)(B)(i)(ii) The developer, at the time of submission of an application for development pursuant to this section, owns property or manages housing units located on property that is exempt from taxation pursuant to the welfare exemption established in subdivision (a) of Section 214 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.
(C)CA Government Code § 65913.16(b)(9)(C) A developer that contracts with a nonprofit corporation that has received a welfare exemption under Section 214.15 of the Revenue and Taxation Code for properties intended to be sold to low-income families with financing in the form of zero interest rate loans.
(D)CA Government Code § 65913.16(b)(9)(D) A developer that the religious institution or independent institution of education, as defined in this section, has contracted with before to construct housing or other improvements to real property.
(10)CA Government Code § 65913.16(b)(10) “Religious institution” means an institution owned, controlled, and operated and maintained by a bona fide church, religious denomination, or religious organization composed of multidenominational members of the same well-recognized religion, lawfully operating as a nonprofit religious corporation pursuant to Part 4 (commencing with Section 9110), or as a corporation sole pursuant to Part 6 (commencing with Section 10000), of Division 2 of Title 1 of the Corporations Code.
(11)CA Government Code § 65913.16(b)(11) “Title V industrial use” means a use that is a Title V source, as defined in Section 39053.5 of the Health and Safety Code.
(12)CA Government Code § 65913.16(b)(12) “Use by right” means a development project that satisfies both of the following conditions:
(A)CA Government Code § 65913.16(b)(12)(A) The development project does not require a conditional use permit, planned unit development permit, or other discretionary local government review.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.16(b)(12)(B) The development project is not a “project” for purposes of Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code.
(c)CA Government Code § 65913.16(c) Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of a local government’s general plan, specific plan, zoning ordinance, or regulation, upon the request of an applicant, a housing development project shall be a use by right, if all of the following criteria are satisfied:
(1)CA Government Code § 65913.16(c)(1) The development is located on land owned on or before January 1, 2024, by an independent institution of higher education or a religious institution, including ownership through an affiliated or associated nonprofit public benefit corporation organized pursuant to the Nonprofit Corporation Law (Part 2 (commencing with Section 5110) of Division 2 of Title 1 of the Corporations Code).
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.16(c)(2) The development is located on a parcel that satisfies the requirements specified in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 65913.4.
(3)CA Government Code § 65913.16(c)(3) The development is located on a parcel that satisfies the requirements specified in subparagraphs (B) to (K), inclusive, of paragraph (6) of subdivision (a) of Section 65913.4.
(4)CA Government Code § 65913.16(c)(4) The development is located on a parcel that satisfies the requirements specified in paragraph (7) of subdivision (a) of Section 65913.4.
(5)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.16(c)(5)
(A)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.16(c)(5)(A) The development is not adjoined to any site where more than one-third of the square footage on the site is dedicated to light industrial use. For purposes of this subdivision, parcels separated by only a street or highway shall be considered to be adjoined.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.16(c)(5)(A)(B) For purposes of subparagraph (A), a property is “dedicated to light industrial use” if all of the following requirements are met:
(i)CA Government Code § 65913.16(c)(5)(A)(B)(i) The square footage is currently being put to a light industrial use.
(ii)CA Government Code § 65913.16(c)(5)(A)(B)(ii) The most recently permitted use of the square footage is a light industrial use.
(iii)CA Government Code § 65913.16(c)(5)(A)(B)(iii) The latest version of the local government’s general plan, adopted before January 1, 2022, designates the property for light industrial use.
(6)CA Government Code § 65913.16(c)(6) The housing units on the development site are not located within 1,200 feet of a site that is either of the following:
(A)CA Government Code § 65913.16(c)(6)(A) A site that is currently a heavy industrial use.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.16(c)(6)(B) A site where the most recent permitted use was a heavy industrial use.
(7)CA Government Code § 65913.16(c)(7) Except as provided in paragraph (8), the housing units on the development site are not located within 1,600 feet of a site that is either of the following:
(A)CA Government Code § 65913.16(c)(7)(A) A site that is currently a Title V industrial use.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.16(c)(7)(B) A site where the most recent permitted use was a Title V industrial use.
(8)CA Government Code § 65913.16(c)(8) For a site where multifamily housing is not an existing permitted use, the housing units on the development site are not located within 3,200 feet of a facility that actively extracts or refines oil or natural gas.
(9)CA Government Code § 65913.16(c)(9) One hundred percent of the development project’s total units, exclusive of a manager’s unit or units, are for lower income households, as defined by Section 50079.5 of the Health and Safety Code, except that up to 20 percent of the total units in the development may be for moderate-income households, as defined in Section 50053 of the Health and Safety Code, and 5 percent of the units may be for staff of the independent institution of higher education or religious institution that owns the land. Units in the development shall be offered at affordable housing cost, as defined in Section 50052.5 of the Health and Safety Code, or at affordable rent, as set in an amount consistent with the rent limits established by the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee. The rent or sales price for a moderate-income unit shall be affordable and shall not exceed 30 percent of income for a moderate-income household or homebuyer for a unit of similar size and bedroom count in the same ZIP Code in the city, county, or city and county in which the housing development is located. The applicant shall provide the city, county, or city and county with evidence to establish that the units meet the requirements of this paragraph. All units, exclusive of any manager unit or units, shall be subject to a recorded deed restriction as provided in this paragraph for at least the following periods of time:
(A)CA Government Code § 65913.16(c)(9)(A) Fifty-five years for units that are rented unless a local ordinance or the terms of a federal, state, or local grant, tax credit, or other project financing requires, as a condition of the development of residential units, that the development include a certain percentage of units that are affordable to, and occupied by, low-income, lower income, very low income, or extremely low income households for a term that exceeds 55 years for rental housing units.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.16(c)(9)(B) Forty-five years for units that are owner-occupied or the first purchaser of each unit participates in an equity sharing agreement as described in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of Section 65915.
(10)CA Government Code § 65913.16(c)(10) The development project complies with all objective development standards of the city or county that are not in conflict with this section.
(11)CA Government Code § 65913.16(c)(11) If the housing development project requires the demolition of existing residential dwelling units, or is located on a site where residential dwelling units have been demolished within the last five years, the applicant shall comply with subdivision (d) of Section 66300.
(12)CA Government Code § 65913.16(c)(12) The applicant certifies to the local government that either of the following is true for the housing development project, as applicable:
(A)CA Government Code § 65913.16(c)(12)(A) The entirety of the development project is a public work for purposes of Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 1720) of Part 7 of Division 2 of the Labor Code.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.16(c)(12)(B) A development that contains more than 10 units and is not in its entirety a public work for purposes of Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 1720) of Part 7 of Division 2 of the Labor Code and approved by a local government pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 65912.110) of, or Article 3 (commencing with Section 65912.120) of, Chapter 4.1 shall be subject to all of the following:
(i)CA Government Code § 65913.16(c)(12)(B)(i) All construction workers employed in the execution of the development shall be paid at least the general prevailing rate of per diem wages for the type of work and geographic area, as determined by the Director of Industrial Relations pursuant to Sections 1773 and 1773.9 of the Labor Code, except that apprentices registered in programs provided by the Chief of the Division of Apprenticeship Standards may be paid at least the applicable apprentice prevailing rate.
(ii)CA Government Code § 65913.16(c)(12)(B)(ii) The development proponent shall ensure that the prevailing wage requirement is included in all contracts for the performance of the work, and shall also provide notice of all contracts for the performance of the work to the Department of Industrial Relations, in accordance with Section 1773.35 of the Labor Code, for those portions of the development that are not a public work.
(iii)CA Government Code § 65913.16(c)(12)(B)(iii) All contractors and subcontractors for those portions of the development that are not a public work shall comply with all of the following:
(I)CA Government Code § 65913.16(c)(12)(B)(iii)(I) Pay to all construction workers employed in the execution of the work at least the general prevailing rate of per diem wages, except that apprentices registered in the programs approved by the Chief of the Division of Apprenticeship Standards may be paid at least the applicable apprentice prevailing rate.
(II) Maintain and verify payroll records pursuant to Section 1776 of the Labor Code and make those records available for inspection and copying as provided in that section. This subclause does not apply if all contractors and subcontractors performing work on the development are subject to a project labor agreement that requires the payment of prevailing wages to all construction workers employed in the execution of the development and provides for enforcement of that obligation through an arbitration procedure. For purposes of this subclause, “project labor agreement” has the same meaning as set forth in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 2500 of the Public Contract Code.
(III) Be registered in accordance with Section 1725.6 of the Labor Code.
(13)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.16(c)(13)
(A)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.16(c)(13)(A) The development proponent completes a Phase I environmental assessment, as defined in Section 78090 of the Health and Safety Code, and a Phase II environmental assessment, as defined in subdivision (o) of Section 25403 of the Health and Safety Code, if warranted.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.16(c)(13)(A)(B) If a recognized environmental condition is found, the development proponent shall undertake a preliminary endangerment assessment, as defined in Section 78095 of the Health and Safety Code, prepared by an environmental assessor to determine the existence of any release of a hazardous substance on the site and to determine the potential for exposure of future occupants to significant health hazards from any nearby property or activity.
(i)CA Government Code § 65913.16(c)(13)(A)(B)(i) If a release of hazardous substance is found to exist on the site, the release shall be removed, or any significant effect of the release shall be mitigated to a level of insignificance in compliance with state and federal requirements.
(ii)CA Government Code § 65913.16(c)(13)(A)(B)(ii) If a potential for exposure to significant hazards from surrounding properties or activities is found to exist, the effects of the potential exposure shall be mitigated to a level of insignificance in compliance with current state and federal requirements.
(14)CA Government Code § 65913.16(c)(14) If the development is within 500 feet of a freeway, regularly occupied areas of the building shall provide air filtration media for outside and return air that provide a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) of 13.
(15)CA Government Code § 65913.16(c)(15) For a vacant site, the site does not contain tribal cultural resources, as defined in Section 21074 of the Public Resources Code, that could be affected by the development that were found pursuant to a consultation as described in Section 21080.3.1 of the Public Resources Code, and the effects of which cannot be mitigated pursuant to the process described in Section 21080.3.2 of the Public Resources Code.
(d)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.16(d)
(1)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.16(d)(1) The obligation of the contractors and subcontractors to pay prevailing wages pursuant to this section may be enforced by any of the following:
(A)CA Government Code § 65913.16(d)(1)(A) The Labor Commissioner, through the issuance of a civil wage and penalty assessment pursuant to Section 1741 of the Labor Code, that may be reviewed pursuant to Section 1742 of the Labor Code, within 18 months after the completion of the development.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.16(d)(1)(B) An underpaid worker through an administrative complaint or civil action.
(C)CA Government Code § 65913.16(d)(1)(C) A joint labor-management committee through a civil action pursuant to Section 1771.2 of the Labor Code.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.16(d)(2) If a civil wage and penalty assessment is issued pursuant to this section, the contractor, subcontractor, and surety on a bond or bonds issued to secure the payment of wages covered by the assessment shall be liable for liquidated damages pursuant to Section 1742.1 of the Labor Code.
(3)CA Government Code § 65913.16(d)(3) This subdivision does not apply if all contractors and subcontractors performing work on the development are subject to a project labor agreement that requires the payment of prevailing wages to all construction workers employed in the execution of the development and provides for enforcement of that obligation through an arbitration procedure. For purposes of this subdivision, “project labor agreement” has the same meaning as set forth in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 2500 of the Public Contract Code.
(e)CA Government Code § 65913.16(e) Notwithstanding subdivision (c) of Section 1773.1 of the Labor Code, the requirement that employer payments not reduce the obligation to pay the hourly straight time or overtime wages found to be prevailing does not apply to those portions of a development that are not a public work if otherwise provided in a bona fide collective bargaining agreement covering the worker.
(f)CA Government Code § 65913.16(f) The requirement of this section to pay at least the general prevailing rate of per diem wages does not preclude use of an alternative workweek schedule adopted pursuant to Section 511 or 514 of the Labor Code.
(g)CA Government Code § 65913.16(g) In addition to the requirements of paragraph (12) of subdivision (c), and the requirements of subdivisions (d), (e), and (f), a development of 50 or more housing units approved by a local government pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 65912.110) of, or Article 3 (commencing with Section 65912.120) of, Chapter 4.1 shall meet all of the following labor standards:
(1)CA Government Code § 65913.16(g)(1) The development proponent shall require in contracts with construction contractors and shall certify to the local government that each contractor of any tier who will employ construction craft employees or will let subcontracts for at least 1,000 hours shall satisfy the requirements in paragraphs (2) and (3). A construction contractor is deemed in compliance with paragraphs (2) and (3) if it is signatory to a valid collective bargaining agreement that requires use of registered apprentices and expenditures on health care for employees and dependents.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.16(g)(2) A contractor with construction craft employees shall either participate in an apprenticeship program approved by the Division of Apprenticeship Standards pursuant to Section 3075 of the Labor Code, or request the dispatch of apprentices from a state-approved apprenticeship program under the terms and conditions set forth in Section 1777.5 of the Labor Code. A contractor without construction craft employees shall show a contractual obligation that its subcontractors comply with this subdivision.
(3)CA Government Code § 65913.16(g)(3) Each contractor with construction craft employees shall make health care expenditures for each employee in an amount per hour worked on the development equivalent to at least the hourly pro rata cost of a Covered California Platinum-level plan for two adults 40 years of age and two dependents 0 to 14 years of age for the Covered California rating area in which the development is located. A contractor without construction craft employees shall show a contractual obligation that its subcontractors comply with this paragraph. Qualifying expenditures shall be credited toward compliance with prevailing wage payment requirements set forth in Section 65912.130.
(4)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.16(g)(4)
(A)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.16(g)(4)(A) The development proponent shall provide to the local government, on a monthly basis while its construction contracts on the development are being performed, a report demonstrating compliance with paragraphs (2) and (3). The report shall be considered public records under the California Public Records Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1), and shall be open to public inspection.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.16(g)(4)(A)(B) A development proponent that fails to provide the monthly report shall be subject to a civil penalty for each month for which the report has not been provided, in the amount of 10 percent of the dollar value of construction work performed by that contractor on the development in the month in question, up to a maximum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000). Any contractor or subcontractor that fails to comply with paragraph (2) or (3) shall be subject to a civil penalty of two hundred dollars ($200) per day for each worker employed in contravention of paragraph (2) or (3).
(C)CA Government Code § 65913.16(g)(4)(A)(C) Penalties may be assessed by the Labor Commissioner within 18 months of completion of the development using the procedures for issuance of civil wage and penalty assessments specified in Section 1741 of the Labor Code, and may be reviewed pursuant to Section 1742 of the Labor Code. Penalties shall be deposited in the State Public Works Enforcement Fund established pursuant to Section 1771.3 of the Labor Code.
(5)CA Government Code § 65913.16(g)(5) Each construction contractor shall maintain and verify payroll records pursuant to Section 1776 of the Labor Code. Each construction contractor shall submit payroll records directly to the Labor Commissioner at least monthly in a format prescribed by the Labor Commissioner in accordance with subparagraph (A) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 1771.4 of the Labor Code. The records shall include a statement of fringe benefits. Upon request by a joint labor-management cooperation committee established pursuant to the federal Labor Management Cooperation Act of 1978 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 175a), the records shall be provided pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 1776 of the Labor Code.
(6)CA Government Code § 65913.16(g)(6) All construction contractors shall report any change in apprenticeship program participation or health care expenditures to the local government within 10 business days, and shall reflect those changes on the monthly report. The reports shall be considered public records pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000 of Title 1)) and shall be open to public inspection.
(7)CA Government Code § 65913.16(g)(7) A joint labor-management cooperation committee established pursuant to the federal Labor Management Cooperation Act of 1978 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 175a) shall have standing to sue a construction contractor for failure to make health care expenditures pursuant to paragraph (3) in accordance with Section 218.7 or 218.8 of the Labor Code.
(h)CA Government Code § 65913.16(h) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a development project that is eligible for approval as a use by right pursuant to this section may include the following ancillary uses, provided that those uses are limited to the ground floor of the development:
(1)CA Government Code § 65913.16(h)(1) In a single-family residential zone, ancillary uses shall be limited to childcare centers, without limitation on the number of children, and facilities operated by community-based organizations for the provision of recreational, social, or educational services for use by the residents of the development and members of the local community in which the development is located.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.16(h)(2) In all other zones, the development may include the childcare centers and facilities described in paragraph (1), as well as any other commercial uses that are permitted without a conditional use permit or planned unit development permit.
(i)CA Government Code § 65913.16(i) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a development project that is eligible for approval as a use by right pursuant to this section includes any religious institutional use, or any use that was previously existing and legally permitted by the city or county on the site, if all of the following criteria are met:
(1)CA Government Code § 65913.16(i)(1) The total square footage of nonresidential space on the site does not exceed the amount previously existing or permitted in a conditional use permit.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.16(i)(2) The new uses abide by the same operational conditions as contained in the previous conditional use permit.
(j)CA Government Code § 65913.16(j) A housing development project that qualifies as a use by right pursuant to subdivision (b) shall be allowed the following density, as applicable:
(1)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.16(j)(1)
(A)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.16(j)(1)(A) If the development project is located in a zone that allows residential uses, including in single-family residential zones, the development project shall be allowed a density of the applicable density deemed appropriate to accommodate housing for lower income households identified in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of Section 65583.2 and a height of one story or 11 feet above the maximum height otherwise applicable to the parcel.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.16(j)(1)(A)(B) If the local government allows for greater residential density on that parcel, or greater residential density or building heights on an adjoining parcel, than permitted in subparagraph (A), the greater density or building height shall apply, including a height of one story or 11 feet above the maximum height otherwise applicable to the parcel.
(C)CA Government Code § 65913.16(j)(1)(A)(C) A housing development project that is located in a zone that allows residential uses, including in single-family residential zones, shall be eligible for a density bonus, incentives, or concessions, or waivers or reductions of development standards and parking ratios, pursuant to Section 65915.
(2)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.16(j)(2)
(A)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.16(j)(2)(A) If the development project is located in a zone that does not allow residential uses, the development project shall be allowed a density of 40 units per acre and a height of one story or 11 feet above the maximum height otherwise applicable to the parcel.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.16(j)(2)(A)(B) If the local government allows for greater residential density or building heights on that parcel, or an adjoining parcel, than permitted in subparagraph (A), the greater density or building height shall apply, including a height of one story or 11 feet above the maximum height otherwise applicable to the parcel. A development project shall not use an incentive, waiver, or concession to increase the height of the development to greater than the height authorized under this subparagraph.
(C)CA Government Code § 65913.16(j)(2)(A)(C) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), a housing development project that is located in a zone that does not allow residential uses shall be eligible for a density bonus, incentives, or concessions, or waivers or reductions of development standards and parking ratios, pursuant to Section 65915.
(k)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.16(k)
(1)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.16(k)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the proposed development, including any religious institutional use or any use that was previously existing and legally permitted by the city or county on the site pursuant to subdivision (j), shall provide off-street parking of up to one space per unit, unless a state law or local ordinance provides for a lower standard of parking, in which case the law or ordinance shall apply.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.16(k)(2) A local government shall not impose a parking requirement if either of the following is true:
(A)CA Government Code § 65913.16(k)(2)(A) The parcel is located within one-half mile walking distance of public transit, either a high-quality transit corridor or a major transit stop as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 21155 of the Public Resources Code.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.16(k)(2)(B) There is a car share vehicle located within one block of the parcel.
(l)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.16(l)
(1)Copy CA Government Code § 65913.16(l)(1) If the local government determines that the proposed development is in conflict with any of the objective planning standards specified in this section, it shall provide the development proponent written documentation of which standard or standards the development conflicts with, and an explanation for the reason or reasons the development conflicts with that standard or standards, within the following timeframes:
(A)CA Government Code § 65913.16(l)(1)(A) Within 60 days of submittal of the development proposal to the local government if the development contains 150 or fewer housing units.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.16(l)(1)(B) Within 90 days of submittal of the development proposal to the local government if the development contains more than 150 housing units.
(2)CA Government Code § 65913.16(l)(2) If the local government fails to provide the required documentation pursuant to paragraph (1), the development shall be deemed to satisfy the required objective planning standards.
(3)CA Government Code § 65913.16(l)(3) For purposes of this section, a development is consistent with the objective planning standards if there is substantial evidence that would allow a reasonable person to conclude that the development is consistent with the objective planning standards.
(4)CA Government Code § 65913.16(l)(4) The determination of whether a proposed project submitted pursuant to this section is or is not in conflict with the objective planning standards is not a “project” as defined in Section 21065 of the Public Resources Code.
(5)CA Government Code § 65913.16(l)(5) Design review of the development may be conducted by the local government’s planning commission or any equivalent board or commission responsible for review and approval of development projects, or the city council or board of supervisors, as appropriate. That design review shall be objective and be strictly focused on assessing compliance with criteria required for streamlined, ministerial review of projects, as well as any reasonable objective design standards published and adopted by ordinance or resolution by a local jurisdiction before submittal of the development to the local government, and shall be broadly applicable to developments within the jurisdiction. That design review shall be completed as follows and shall not in any way inhibit, chill, or preclude the ministerial approval provided by this section or its effect, as applicable:
(A)CA Government Code § 65913.16(l)(5)(A) Within 90 days of submittal of the development proposal to the local government pursuant to this section if the development contains 150 or fewer housing units.
(B)CA Government Code § 65913.16(l)(5)(B) Within 180 days of submittal of the development proposal to the local government pursuant to this section if the development contains more than 150 housing units.
(6)CA Government Code § 65913.16(l)(6) The local government shall ensure that the project satisfies the requirements specified in subdivision (d) of Section 66300, regardless of whether the development is within or not within an affected city or within or not within an affected county.
(7)CA Government Code § 65913.16(l)(7) If the development is consistent with all objective subdivision standards in the local subdivision ordinance, an application for a subdivision pursuant to the Subdivision Map Act (Division 2 (commencing with Section 66410)) shall be exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code).
(8)CA Government Code § 65913.16(l)(8) A local government’s approval of a development pursuant to this section shall, notwithstanding any other law, be subject to the expiration timeframes specified in subdivision (f) of Section 65913.4.
(9)CA Government Code § 65913.16(l)(9) Any proposed modifications to a development project approved pursuant to this section shall be undertaken pursuant to subdivision (g) of Section 65913.4.
(10)CA Government Code § 65913.16(l)(10) A local government shall not adopt or impose any requirement, including, but not limited to, increased fees or inclusionary housing requirements, that applies to a project solely or partially on the basis that the project is eligible to receive streamlined, ministerial review pursuant to this section.
(11)CA Government Code § 65913.16(l)(11) A local government shall issue a subsequent permit required for a development approved under this section pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (h) of Section 65913.4.
(12)CA Government Code § 65913.16(l)(12) A public improvement that is necessary to implement a development that is approved pursuant to this section shall be undertaken pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (h) of Section 65913.4.
(m)CA Government Code § 65913.16(m) This section shall not prevent a development from also qualifying as a housing development project entitled to the protections of Section 65589.5.
(n)CA Government Code § 65913.16(n) The Legislature finds and declares that ensuring residential development at greater density on land owned by independent institutions of higher education and religious institutions is a matter of statewide concern and is not a municipal affair as that term is used in Section 5 of Article XI of the California Constitution. Therefore, this section applies to all cities, including charter cities.
(o)CA Government Code § 65913.16(o) The provisions of paragraph (3) of subdivision (g) concerning health care expenditures are distinct and severable from the remaining provisions of this section. However, all other provisions of subdivision (g) are material and integral parts of this section and are not severable. If any provision of subdivision (g), exclusive of those included in paragraph (3), is held invalid, the entire section shall be invalid and shall not be given effect.
(p)CA Government Code § 65913.16(p) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2036, and as of that date is repealed.

Section § 65914

Explanation

This law section deals with situations where a city or other public entity approves a housing project, particularly for low- and moderate-income families, and someone sues to stop it. If the lawsuit turns out to be frivolous—a waste of time and meant just to cause delays—the court can order the person who sued to pay for the public entity's legal costs after final judgment. This includes attorney fees if the housing project meets certain affordable housing standards and the public entity or nonprofit housing group has actively defended the lawsuit. The same applies on appeal if the higher court agrees with the original court’s decision.

The law also clarifies that it doesn’t overturn or restrict any other legal remedies or rights that might apply in these cases.

(a)CA Government Code § 65914(a) In any civil action or proceeding, including, but not limited to, an action brought pursuant to Section 21167 of the Public Resources Code, against a public entity that has issued planning, subdivision, or other approvals for a housing development, to enjoin the carrying out or approval of a housing development or to secure a writ of mandate relative to the approval of, or a decision to carry out the housing development, the court, after entry of final judgment and the time to appeal has elapsed, and after notice to the plaintiff or plaintiffs, may award all reasonably incurred costs of suit, including attorney’s fees, to the prevailing public entity or nonprofit housing corporation that is the real party in interest and the permit applicant of the low- and moderate-income housing if it finds all of the following:
(1)CA Government Code § 65914(a)(1) The housing development meets or exceeds the requirements for low- and moderate-income housing as set forth in Section 65915.
(2)CA Government Code § 65914(a)(2) The action was frivolous and undertaken with the primary purpose of delaying or thwarting the low- or moderate-income nature of the housing development or portions thereof.
(3)CA Government Code § 65914(a)(3) The public entity or nonprofit housing corporation that is the real party in interest and the permit applicant of the low- and moderate-income housing making application for costs under this section has prevailed on all issues presented by the pleadings and the public entity or nonprofit housing corporation that is the real party in interest and the permit applicant of the low- and moderate-income housing actively, through counsel or otherwise, took part on a continuing basis in the defense of the lawsuit.
(4)CA Government Code § 65914(a)(4) A demand for a preliminary injunction was made by the plaintiff and denied by a court of competent jurisdiction, or the action or proceeding was dismissed as a result of a motion for summary judgment by any defendant, and the denial or dismissal was not reversed on appeal.
(b)CA Government Code § 65914(b) In any appeal of any action described in subdivision (a), the reviewing court may award all reasonably incurred costs of suit, including attorney’s fees, to the prevailing public entity or nonprofit housing corporation that is the real party in interest and the permit applicant of the low- and moderate-income housing if the court reviews and upholds the trial court’s findings with respect to paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, of subdivision (a).
(c)CA Government Code § 65914(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the application of any other remedies or rights provided under law.

Section § 65914.4

Explanation

This law automatically extends the expiration date of certain housing development approvals (called housing entitlements) by 18 months. To qualify, the entitlement must have been issued before January 1, 2024, and set to expire before December 31, 2025.

If an entitlement has already been extended by at least 18 months after January 1, 2024, it won't get another extension from this law. The law defines housing entitlements broadly to include various permits and approvals needed for housing projects but excludes things like development agreements and certain preliminary applications.

It applies to housing projects where most of the space is for residences, not including underground areas. Importantly, the extension period pauses if the entitlement is involved in a legal dispute, and local governments can still give their own extensions. This law is aimed at statewide concerns of housing development continuity.

(a)CA Government Code § 65914.4(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), notwithstanding any law, including any inconsistent provision of a local agency’s general plan, ordinances, or regulations, the otherwise applicable time for the expiration, effectuation, or utilization of a housing entitlement that is within the scope of the timeframes specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) is extended by 18 months. For the purposes of this section, housing entitlements that are extended are entitlements where both of the following apply:
(1)CA Government Code § 65914.4(a)(1) It was issued prior to and was in effect on January 1, 2024.
(2)CA Government Code § 65914.4(a)(2) It will expire prior to December 31, 2025.
The otherwise applicable time for the utilization of a housing entitlement provided by this section includes any requirement to request the issuance of a building permit within a specified period of time.
(b)CA Government Code § 65914.4(b) If the state or a local agency extends, on or after January 1, 2024, but before the effective date of the act adding this section, the otherwise applicable time for the expiration, effectuation, or utilization of a housing entitlement for not less than 18 months and pursuant to the same conditions provided in subdivision (a), that housing entitlement shall not be extended for an additional 18 months by operation of subdivision (a).
(c)CA Government Code § 65914.4(c) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1)CA Government Code § 65914.4(c)(1) “Housing entitlement” means any of the following:
(A)CA Government Code § 65914.4(c)(1)(A) A legislative, adjudicative, administrative, or any other kind of approval, permit, or other entitlement necessary for, or pertaining to, a housing development project issued by a state agency.
(B)CA Government Code § 65914.4(c)(1)(B) An approval, permit, or other entitlement issued by a local agency for a housing development project that is subject to Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 65920).
(C)CA Government Code § 65914.4(c)(1)(C) A ministerial approval, permit, or entitlement by a local agency required as a prerequisite to issuance of a building permit for a housing development project.
(D)CA Government Code § 65914.4(c)(1)(D) A requirement to submit an application for a building permit within a specified period of time after the effective date of a housing entitlement described in subparagraph (B) or (C).
(E)CA Government Code § 65914.4(c)(1)(E) A tentative map, vesting tentative map, or parcel map for which a tentative map or vesting tentative map, as the case may be, has been approved.
(F)CA Government Code § 65914.4(c)(1)(F) A vested right associated with an approval, permit, or other entitlement described in subparagraphs (A) to (E), inclusive.
(2)CA Government Code § 65914.4(c)(2) For the purposes of this section, a housing entitlement does not include any of the following:
(A)CA Government Code § 65914.4(c)(2)(A) A development agreement issued pursuant to Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 65864).
(B)CA Government Code § 65914.4(c)(2)(B) An approved or conditionally approved tentative map that is extended for a minimum of 24 months pursuant to Section 66452.6 on or after January 1, 2024.
(C)CA Government Code § 65914.4(c)(2)(C) A preliminary application as defined in Section 65941.1.
(3)CA Government Code § 65914.4(c)(3) “Housing development project” means a residential development or mixed-use development in which at least two-thirds of the square footage of the development is designated for residential use. Both of the following apply for the purposes of calculating the square footage usage of a development for purposes of this section:
(A)CA Government Code § 65914.4(c)(3)(A) The square footage of a development shall include any additional density, floor area, and units, and any other concession, incentive, or waiver of development standards pursuant to Section 65915.
(B)CA Government Code § 65914.4(c)(3)(B) The square footage of a development shall not include any underground space, including, but not limited to, a basement or underground parking garage.
(4)CA Government Code § 65914.4(c)(4) “Local agency” means a county, city, whether general law or chartered, city and county, school district, special district, authority, agency, any other municipal public corporation or district, or other political subdivision of the state.
(d)CA Government Code § 65914.4(d) The extension granted pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be tolled during any time that the housing entitlement is the subject of a legal challenge.
(e)CA Government Code § 65914.4(e) Nothing in this section is intended to preclude a local government from exercising its existing authority to provide an extension to an entitlement identified in this section.
(f)CA Government Code § 65914.4(f) The Legislature finds and declares that ensuring planned housing projects can continue without delays due to expiring entitlements is a matter of statewide concern and is not a municipal affair as that term is used in Section 5 of Article XI of the California Constitution. Therefore, this section applies to all cities, including charter cities.

Section § 65914.5

Explanation

This law extends by 18 months the time limits for using housing approvals (called "housing entitlements") that were active before March 4, 2020, and were set to expire before December 31, 2021. The goal is to reduce pressure on housing development during the pandemic-induced recession, recognizing the economic challenges and housing crisis California faces. This applies to approvals needed for housing projects, but not to preliminary applications or certain agreements. The extension is not applicable if an equivalent extension was already granted between March 4, 2020, and the enactment of this section. The law encourages the continued development of housing by simplifying extended entitlements statewide, addressing the economic impact felt due to COVID-19.

(a)CA Government Code § 65914.5(a) The Legislature finds and declares each of the following:
(1)CA Government Code § 65914.5(a)(1) On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, and, on January 31, 2020, the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency.
(2)CA Government Code § 65914.5(a)(2) On March 4, 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency to make additional resources available, formalize emergency actions already underway across multiple state agencies and departments, and help the state prepare for a broader spread of COVID-19.
(3)CA Government Code § 65914.5(a)(3) According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the United States economy, as measured by gross domestic product, contracted by 4.8 percent in the first quarter of 2020.
(4)CA Government Code § 65914.5(a)(4) In July of 2020, California’s unemployment rate tripled, the largest increase since 1976.
(5)CA Government Code § 65914.5(a)(5) It is estimated that California lost 2,000,000 jobs by March 27, 2020.
(6)CA Government Code § 65914.5(a)(6) In July of 2020, 3,100,000 Californians filed for unemployment benefits, and California became the first state in the nation to borrow money from the federal government to continue paying out rising claims for unemployment benefits.
(7)CA Government Code § 65914.5(a)(7) The Governor has labeled California’s economic crisis a “pandemic-induced recession.”
(8)CA Government Code § 65914.5(a)(8) Even before the pandemic-induced recession, California was in the midst of a housing affordability crisis caused fundamentally by a consistent failure to supply enough new housing for Californians of all income levels.
(9)CA Government Code § 65914.5(a)(9) According to the League of California Cities, over 90 percent of cities in this state report they are considering cutting or furloughing city staff or decreasing public services, and 72 percent of cities report they may take both actions. In addition, over 70 percent of cities, and 90 percent of the largest cities, report that they expect a significant impact to “core” planning and housing services.
(10)CA Government Code § 65914.5(a)(10) The pandemic-induced recession, combined with mandatory social distancing, stringent construction protocols, and anticipated reductions in the capacity of local governments to deliver services to the housing industry, will drastically impact all segments of a complex ecosystem that delivers the essential housing California so desperately needs to combat the ongoing housing crisis.
(11)CA Government Code § 65914.5(a)(11) To facilitate and expedite the return of this vital industry, it is necessary to relieve any additional pressure on housing development as a result of the lapse in planning, finance, and construction due to the pandemic-induced recession. An essential component of ensuring the survival of the housing industry is proactively extending the life of the myriad state and local approvals, permits, and other entitlements required to develop and construct housing in California.
(12)CA Government Code § 65914.5(a)(12) A uniform statewide entitlement extension measure is necessary to avoid the significant statewide cost and allocation of local government staff resources associated with addressing individual permit extensions on a case-by-case basis.
(b)CA Government Code § 65914.5(b) Except as provided in subdivision (c), notwithstanding any law, including any inconsistent provision of a local agency’s general plan, ordinances, or regulations, the otherwise applicable time for the expiration, effectuation, or utilization of a housing entitlement that is within the scope of the timeframes specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) is extended by 18 months. For the purposes of this section, housing entitlements that are extended are entitlements where both of the following apply:
(1)CA Government Code § 65914.5(b)(1) It was issued prior to and was in effect on March 4, 2020; and
(2)CA Government Code § 65914.5(b)(2) It will expire prior to December 31, 2021.
The otherwise applicable time for the utilization of a housing entitlement provided by this section includes any requirement to request the issuance of a building permit within a specified period of time.
(c)CA Government Code § 65914.5(c) If the state or a local agency extends, on or after March 4, 2020, but before the effective date of the act adding this section, the otherwise applicable time for the expiration, effectuation, or utilization of a housing entitlement for not less than 18 months and pursuant to the same conditions provided in subdivision (b), that housing entitlement shall not be extended for an additional 18 months by operation of subdivision (b).
(d)CA Government Code § 65914.5(d) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
(1)CA Government Code § 65914.5(d)(1) “Housing entitlement” means:
(A)CA Government Code § 65914.5(d)(1)(A) A legislative, adjudicative, administrative, or any other kind of approval, permit, or other entitlement necessary for, or pertaining to, a housing development project issued by a state agency.
(B)CA Government Code § 65914.5(d)(1)(B) An approval, permit, or other entitlement issued by a local agency for a housing development project that is subject to Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 65920).
(C)CA Government Code § 65914.5(d)(1)(C) A ministerial approval, permit, or entitlement by a local agency required as a prerequisite to issuance of a building permit for a housing development project.
(D)CA Government Code § 65914.5(d)(1)(D) A requirement to submit an application for a building permit within a specified period of time after the effective date of a housing entitlement described in subparagraph (B) or (C).
(E)CA Government Code § 65914.5(d)(1)(E) A vested right associated with an approval, permit, or other entitlement described in subparagraphs (A) to (D), inclusive.
(2)CA Government Code § 65914.5(d)(2) For the purposes of this section, a housing entitlement does not include any of the following:
(A)CA Government Code § 65914.5(d)(2)(A) A development agreement issued pursuant to Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 65864) of Chapter 4.
(B)CA Government Code § 65914.5(d)(2)(B) An approved or conditionally approved tentative map that is extended for a minimum of 18 months pursuant to Section 66452.6 on or after March 4, 2020.
(C)CA Government Code § 65914.5(d)(2)(C) A preliminary application as defined in Section 65941.1.
(D)CA Government Code § 65914.5(d)(2)(D) An application for development approved pursuant to Section 65913.4 and any subsequent permit as described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (f) of Section 65913.4.
(3)CA Government Code § 65914.5(d)(3) “Housing development project” means any of the following:
(A)CA Government Code § 65914.5(d)(3)(A) A tentative map, vesting tentative map, or parcel map for which a tentative map or vesting tentative map, as the case may be, has been approved.
(B)CA Government Code § 65914.5(d)(3)(B) A residential development.
(C)CA Government Code § 65914.5(d)(3)(C) A mixed-use development in which at least two-thirds of the square footage of the development is designated for residential use. Both of the following apply for the purposes of calculating the square footage usage of a development for purposes of this subparagraph:
(i)CA Government Code § 65914.5(d)(3)(C)(i) The square footage of a development shall include any additional density, floor area, and units, and any other concession, incentive, or waiver of development standards pursuant to Section 65915.
(ii)CA Government Code § 65914.5(d)(3)(C)(ii) The square footage of a development shall not include any underground space, including, but not limited to, a basement or underground parking garage.
(4)CA Government Code § 65914.5(d)(4) “Local agency” means a county, city, whether general law or chartered, city and county, school district, special district, authority, agency, any other municipal public corporation or district, or other political subdivision of the state.
(e)CA Government Code § 65914.5(e) The extension granted pursuant to subdivision (b) shall be tolled during any time that the housing entitlement is the subject of a legal challenge.
(f)CA Government Code § 65914.5(f) Nothing in this section is intended to preclude a local government from exercising its existing authority to provide an extension to an entitlement identified in this section.
(g)CA Government Code § 65914.5(g) The Legislature finds and declares that for reasons described in subdivision (a), this section addresses a matter of statewide concern rather than a municipal affair as that term is used in Section 5 of Article XI of the California Constitution. Therefore, this section applies to all cities, including charter cities.

Section § 65914.7

Explanation

This law allows a housing development project on property owned by a local educational agency if it meets several conditions. The project must have at least 10 units, with a deed restriction ensuring that for 55 years, most units are rented at affordable rates to lower and moderate-income households, with 30% specifically for lower income families. Housing is first offered to local educational agency employees, then if not filled, to employees from adjacent agencies, other public employees, and finally the general public.

The development must comply with local zoning and objective design standards but can maximize residential density and height based on city or county ordinances. It must be located on urban infill sites, adhere to infrastructure requirements, and be within established urban boundaries. The local educational agency keeps ownership for the duration specified. Certain properties and projects are exempt from specific existing legal requirements as outlined in this section.

(a)CA Government Code § 65914.7(a) Notwithstanding any law, a housing development project shall be deemed an allowable use on any real property owned by a local educational agency if the housing development satisfies all of the following:
(1)CA Government Code § 65914.7(a)(1) The housing development consists of at least 10 housing units.
(2)CA Government Code § 65914.7(a)(2) The housing development shall have a recorded deed restriction that ensures, for a period of at least 55 years, that the majority of the units of the housing development shall be set at an affordable rent to lower income or moderate-income households. However, at least 30 percent of the units shall be affordable to lower income households.
(3)CA Government Code § 65914.7(a)(3) One hundred percent of the units of the housing development shall be rented by local educational agency employees, local public employees, and general members of the public pursuant to the following procedures:
(A)CA Government Code § 65914.7(a)(3)(A) A local educational agency shall first offer the units to the agency’s local educational agency employees.
(B)CA Government Code § 65914.7(a)(3)(B) If the local educational agency receives an insufficient number of local educational agency employees to apply for and occupy the units, the unoccupied units may be offered to employees of directly adjacent local educational agencies.
(C)CA Government Code § 65914.7(a)(3)(C) If the local educational agency receives an insufficient number of employees of directly adjacent local educational agencies to apply for and occupy the units, the unoccupied units may be offered to public employees who work for a local agency within the jurisdiction of the local educational agency.
(D)CA Government Code § 65914.7(a)(3)(D) If the local agency receives an insufficient number of local public employees to apply for and occupy the units, the unoccupied units may be offered to general members of the public.
(E)CA Government Code § 65914.7(a)(3)(E) When units in the housing development become unoccupied and available for rent, a local educational agency shall first offer the units to the agency’s local educational agency employees.
(4)CA Government Code § 65914.7(a)(4) The residential density for the housing development, as measured on the development footprint, shall be the greater of the following:
(A)CA Government Code § 65914.7(a)(4)(A) The residential density allowed on the parcel by the city or county, as applicable.
(B)CA Government Code § 65914.7(a)(4)(B) The applicable density deemed appropriate to accommodate housing for lower income households in that jurisdiction, as specified in paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of Section 65583.2.
(5)CA Government Code § 65914.7(a)(5) The height limit for the housing development shall be the greater of the following:
(A)CA Government Code § 65914.7(a)(5)(A) The height limit allowed on the parcel by the city or county, as applicable.
(B)CA Government Code § 65914.7(a)(5)(B) Thirty-five feet.
(6)CA Government Code § 65914.7(a)(6) The property is adjacent to a property that permits residential uses as a principally permitted use.
(7)CA Government Code § 65914.7(a)(7) The property is located on an infill site. For purposes of this section, “infill site” means a site in an urban area, as determined by the 2020 United States Census, that meets either of the following criteria:
(A)CA Government Code § 65914.7(a)(7)(A) The site has not been previously developed for urban uses and both of the following apply:
(i)CA Government Code § 65914.7(a)(7)(A)(i) The site is immediately adjacent to parcels that are developed with qualified urban uses, or at least 75 percent of the perimeter of the site adjoins parcels that are developed with qualified urban uses, and the remaining 25 percent of the site adjoins parcels that have previously been developed for qualified urban uses.
(ii)CA Government Code § 65914.7(a)(7)(A)(ii) No parcel within the site has been created within the past 10 years unless the parcel was created as a result of the plan of a redevelopment agency.
(B)CA Government Code § 65914.7(a)(7)(B) The site has been previously developed for qualified urban uses.
(C)CA Government Code § 65914.7(a)(7)(C) For purposes of this paragraph, “qualified urban use” has the same meaning as defined in Section 21072 of the Public Resources Code.
(8)Copy CA Government Code § 65914.7(a)(8)
(A)Copy CA Government Code § 65914.7(a)(8)(A) (i) The housing development shall satisfy other local objective zoning standards, objective subdivision standards, and objective design review standards that do not preclude the housing development from achieving the residential density permitted pursuant to paragraph (4) or the height permitted pursuant to paragraph (5).
(ii)CA Government Code § 65914.7(a)(8)(A)(ii) If a local agency has not adopted objective standards as provided in clause (i) applicable to residential development on the parcel, the housing development shall be subject to local zoning, parking, design, and other ordinances, local code requirements, and procedures applicable to the processing and permitting of a housing development on the nearest parcel in a multifamily zone that meets or exceeds the density and height provided in paragraphs (4) and (5).
(B)CA Government Code § 65914.7(a)(8)(A)(B) For purposes of this section, the terms “objective zoning standards,” “objective subdivision standards,” and “objective design review standards” mean standards that involve no personal or subjective judgment by a public official and are uniformly verifiable by reference to an external and uniform benchmark or criterion available and knowable by both the development applicant or proponent and the public official prior to submittal. These standards may be embodied in alternative objective land use specifications adopted by the city or county, as applicable, and may include, but are not limited to, housing overlay zones, specific plans, inclusionary zoning ordinances, and density bonus ordinances.
(9)CA Government Code § 65914.7(a)(9) The property is located entirely within any applicable urban limit line or urban growth boundary established by local ordinance.
(10)CA Government Code § 65914.7(a)(10) The housing development complies with all infrastructure-related requirements, including impact fees that are existing or pending at the time the application is submitted, imposed by a city or county or a special district that provides service to the parcel.
(b)CA Government Code § 65914.7(b) Notwithstanding any local law, a housing development that meets the requirements of this section shall be deemed consistent, compliant, and in conformity with local development standards, zoning codes or maps, and the general plan.
(c)CA Government Code § 65914.7(c) The local educational agency shall maintain ownership of a housing development that meets the requirements of this section for the length of the 55-year affordability requirement described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a).
(d)CA Government Code § 65914.7(d) Subject to the requirements of Article 8 (commencing with Section 17515) and Article 9 (commencing with Section 17527) of Chapter 4 of Part 10.5 of Division 1 of Title 1 of the Education Code, any land used for the development of a housing development that meets the requirements of this section may be jointly used or jointly occupied by the local educational agency and any other party.
(e)CA Government Code § 65914.7(e) Any land used for the development of a housing development that meets the requirements of this section shall be exempt from the requirements of all of the following:
(1)CA Government Code § 65914.7(e)(1) Article 8 (commencing with Section 54220) of Chapter 5 of Part 1 of Division 2 of Title 5.
(2)CA Government Code § 65914.7(e)(2) Article 2 (commencing with Section 17230) of Chapter 1 of Part 10.5 of Division 1 of Title 1 of the Education Code.
(3)CA Government Code § 65914.7(e)(3) Article 4 (commencing with Section 17455) of Chapter 4 of Part 10.5 of Division 1 of Title 1 of the Education Code.
(f)CA Government Code § 65914.7(f) For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:
(1)CA Government Code § 65914.7(f)(1) “Affordable rent” has the same meaning as in Section 50053 of the Health and Safety Code.
(2)CA Government Code § 65914.7(f)(2) “Development footprint” means the portion of the property that is developed for the housing development, inclusive of parking and roadways developed internal to the site to serve the housing development, and other aboveground improvements developed to serve the housing development.
(3)CA Government Code § 65914.7(f)(3) “Local agency” means a city, county, city and county, charter city, charter county, charter city and county, special district, or any combination thereof.
(4)CA Government Code § 65914.7(f)(4) “Local educational agency” means a school district or county office of education.
(5)CA Government Code § 65914.7(f)(5) “Local educational agency employee” has the same meaning as “teacher or school district employee,” as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 53572 of the Health and Safety Code.
(6)CA Government Code § 65914.7(f)(6) “Local public employee” has the same meaning as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 53572 of the Health and Safety Code.
(7)CA Government Code § 65914.7(f)(7) “Lower income households” has the same meaning as in Section 50079.5 of the Health and Safety Code.
(8)CA Government Code § 65914.7(f)(8) “Moderate-income households” has the same meaning as in Section 50093 of the Health and Safety Code.
(9)CA Government Code § 65914.7(f)(9) “Real property owned by a local educational agency” means real property owned by a local education agency as of January 1, 2023.
(g)Copy CA Government Code § 65914.7(g)
(1)Copy CA Government Code § 65914.7(g)(1) Except for the requirements imposed on the Department of Housing and Community Development pursuant to paragraph (2), this section shall become effective on January 1, 2024.
(2)CA Government Code § 65914.7(g)(2) On or before January 31, 2023, the Department of Housing and Community Development shall provide written notice to the planning agency of each county and city that this section becomes effective on January 1, 2024.
(h)CA Government Code § 65914.7(h) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2033, and as of that date is repealed.

Section § 65914.8

Explanation

This law allows local agencies to reserve up to 10% of required affordable housing units for artists if certain conditions are met. The units must be near cultural districts designated by the state or locally. The local agency must have an ordinance that aligns with tenant protection laws, prevents evictions to favor artists, and includes a fair vetting process for income and artist status. If not enough artists apply, these units can be filled by the general public. "Affordable housing" refers to housing for lower income groups, and "artist" refers to creators of various visual, graphic, or performing arts.

(a)CA Government Code § 65914.8(a) If a local agency requires, as a condition of approval of the development of residential units, that a certain percentage of the units of the development be affordable housing, the local agency may reserve for artists up to 10 percent of those required affordable housing units if all of the following conditions are satisfied:
(1)CA Government Code § 65914.8(a)(1) The units reserved are located within or within one-half mile from a state-designated cultural district certified pursuant to Chapter 9.2 (commencing with Section 8758) of Division 1 of Title 2 or within any similar locally designated cultural district.
(2)CA Government Code § 65914.8(a)(2) The local agency adopts an ordinance for this purpose that does all of the following:
(A)CA Government Code § 65914.8(a)(2)(A) It is consistent with the Local Tenant Preferences to Prevent Displacement Act (Chapter 12.76 (commencing with Section 7061) of Division 7 of Title 1).
(B)CA Government Code § 65914.8(a)(2)(B) It prohibits an existing tenant from being evicted in favor of an artist.
(C)CA Government Code § 65914.8(a)(2)(C) It contains a fair and comprehensive vetting process that includes, but is not limited to, initial and annual income verification consistent with applicable affordable housing laws and artist status verification.
(b)CA Government Code § 65914.8(b) If an insufficient number of artists apply for and occupy the units, the unoccupied units may be offered to general members of the public.
(c)CA Government Code § 65914.8(c) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1)CA Government Code § 65914.8(c)(1) “Affordable housing” means units dedicated to moderate-income, lower income, very low income, or extremely low income households, as defined in Sections 50079.5, 50093, 50105, and 50106 of the Health and Safety Code, at an affordable housing cost, as defined by Section 50052.5 of the Health and Safety Code.
(2)CA Government Code § 65914.8(c)(2) “Artist” means the creator of any work of visual, graphic, or performing art of any media, including, but not limited to, a painting, print, drawing, sculpture, craft, photograph, film, or performance.
(3)CA Government Code § 65914.8(c)(3) “Local agency” means a city, county, or city and county.