Article
1. General Provisions
65912.100.
This chapter shall be known and cited as the Affordable Housing and High Road Jobs Act of 2022.65912.101.
For purposes of this chapter, the following terms have the following meanings:(a) “Commercial corridor” means a highway, as defined in Section 360 of the Vehicle Code, that is not a freeway, as defined in Section 332 of the Vehicle Code, and that has a right-of-way, as defined in Section 525 of the Vehicle Code, of at least 70 and not greater than 150 feet.
(b) “Development proponent” means a developer who submits a housing development project application to a local government under the streamlined, ministerial review process pursuant to this chapter.
(c) “Extremely low income households” has the same meaning as defined in Section 50106 of the Health and Safety Code.
(d) “Health care expenditures” include contributions under Sections 501(c) or (d) or 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code and payments toward “medical care” as defined under Section 213(d)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code.
(e) “Housing development project” has the same meaning as defined in Section 65589.5.
(f) “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.
(g) “Local affordable housing requirement” means either of the following:
(1) A local government requirement, as a condition of development of residential units, that a housing development project include a certain percentage of units affordable to, and occupied by, extremely low, very low, lower, or moderate-income households as a condition of development of residential units.
(2) A local government requirement allowing a housing development project to be a use by right if the project includes a certain percentage of units affordable to, and occupied by, extremely low, very low, lower, or moderate-income households as a condition of development of residential units.
(h) “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.
(i) “Lower income households” has the same meaning as defined in Section 50079.5 of the Health and Safety Code.
(j) “Major transit stop” has the same meaning as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 21155 of the Public Resources Code.
(k) “Moderate-income households” means households of persons and families of moderate income, as defined in Section 50093 of the Health and Safety Code.
(l) “Multifamily” means a property with five or more housing units for sale or for rent.
(m) “Neighborhood plan” means a specific plan adopted pursuant to Article 8 (commencing with Section 65450) of Chapter 3, or an area plan, precise plan, urban village plan, or master plan that has been adopted by a local government.
(n) “Principally permitted use” means a use that may occupy more than one-third of the square footage of designated use on the site and does not require a conditional use permit.
(o) “Side street” means a highway, as defined in Section 360 of the Vehicle Code, that is not a freeway, as defined in Section 332 of the Vehicle Code, and that has a right-of-way, as defined in Section 525 of the Vehicle Code, of at least 25 and fewer than 70 feet.
(p) “Urban uses” means any current or
former residential, commercial, public institutional, transit or transportation passenger facility, or retail use, or any combination of those uses.
(q) “Use by right” means a development project that satisfies both of the following conditions:
(1) The development project does not require a conditional use permit, planned unit development permit, or other discretionary local government review.
(2) The development project is not a “project” for purposes of Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code.
(r) “Very low income households” has the same meaning as defined in Section 50105 of the Health and Safety
Code.
65912.102.
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 chapter. Any guidelines or terms adopted pursuant to this section are not subject to Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.65912.103.
For purposes of establishing the total number of units in a development under this chapter, a development project includes both of the following:(a) All projects developed on a site, regardless of when those developments occur.
(b) All projects developed on sites adjacent to a site developed pursuant to this chapter if, after January 1, 2022, the adjacent site had been subdivided from the site developed pursuant to this chapter.
65912.104.
(a) The department shall undertake at least two studies of the outcomes of this chapter. One study shall be completed on or before January 1, 2027, and one shall be completed on or before January 1, 2031.(b) The studies required by subdivision (a) shall include, but not be limited to, the number of projects built, the number of units built, the jurisdictional and regional location of the housing, the relative wealth and access to resources of the communities in which they are built, the level of affordability, the effect on greenhouse gas emissions, and the creation of construction jobs that pay the prevailing wage.
(c) The department shall publish a report of the findings of a study required by subdivision (a), post the report on its internet website, and submit the report to the Legislature pursuant to Section 9795.
65912.105.
This chapter shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2033, and as of that date is repealed.
Article
2. Affordable Housing Developments in Commercial Zones
65912.110.
Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of a local government’s general plan, specific plan, zoning ordinance, or regulation, a development proponent may submit an application for a housing development that shall be a use by right and that shall be subject to a streamlined, ministerial review pursuant to Section 65912.114 if the proposed housing development satisfies all of the requirements in Sections 65912.111, 65912.112, and 65912.113.65912.111.
A development project shall not be subject to the streamlined, ministerial review process provided by Section 65912.114 unless the development is proposed to be located on a site that satisfies all of the following criteria:(a) It is located in a zone where office, retail, or parking are a principally permitted use.
(b) It is a legal parcel or parcels that meet either of the following:
(1) It is within a city where the city boundaries include some portion of either an urbanized area or urban cluster, as designated by the United States Census Bureau.
(2) It is in an unincorporated area, and the legal parcel or parcels are wholly within the boundaries of an urbanized area or urban cluster, as designated by the United States Census Bureau.
(c) At least 75 percent of the perimeter of the site adjoins parcels that are developed with urban uses. For purposes of this subdivision, parcels that are only separated by a street or highway shall be considered to be adjoined.
(d) (1) It is not 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.
(2) For purposes of this subdivision, parcels
only separated by a street or highway shall be considered to be adjoined.
(3) For purposes of this subdivision, “dedicated to industrial use” means any of the following:
(A) The square footage is currently being used as an industrial use.
(B) The most recently permitted use of the square footage is an industrial use.
(C) The site was designated for industrial use in the latest version of a local government’s general plan adopted before January 1, 2022.
(e) It satisfies the requirements specified in subparagraphs (B) to (K), inclusive, of paragraph (6)
of subdivision (a) of Section 65913.4.
(f) It is not 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).
(g) For a site within a neighborhood plan area, the site satisfies either of the following conditions:
(1) As
of January 1, 2022, there was a neighborhood plan applicable to the site that permitted multifamily housing development on the site.
(2) As of January 1, 2024, there was a neighborhood plan applicable to the site that permitted multifamily housing development on the site and all of the following occurred:
(A) A notice of preparation for the neighborhood plan was issued before January 1, 2022, pursuant to the requirements of Sections 21080.4 and 21092 of the Public Resources Code.
(B) The neighborhood plan was adopted on or after January 1, 2022, and before January 1, 2024.
(C) The environmental review for the neighborhood plan was completed before January 1,
2024.
(h) For a vacant site, the site satisfies both of the following:
(1) It does not contain tribal cultural resources, as defined by Section 21074 of the Public Resources
Code, that could be affected by the development that were found pursuant to a consultation as described by 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.
(2) It is not within a 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 or as designated pursuant to subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 51179.
65912.112.
A development project shall not be subject to the streamlined, ministerial review process provided by Section 65912.114 unless the development proposal meets all of the following affordability criteria:(a) One hundred percent of the units within the development project, excluding managers’ units, shall be dedicated to lower income households at an affordable 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.
(b) 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.
65912.113.
A development project shall not be subject to the streamlined, ministerial review process provided by Section 65912.114 unless the development proposal meets all of the following objective development standards:(a) The development shall be a multifamily housing development project.
(b) The residential density for the development will meet or exceed 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.
(c) (1) The development proponent shall complete a phase I environmental assessment, as defined in Section 25319.1 of the Health and Safety Code.
(2) If a recognized environmental condition is found, the development proponent shall undertake a preliminary endangerment assessment, as defined in Section 25319.5 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.
(A) If a release of a hazardous substance is found to exist on the site, the release shall be removed, or any significant effects of the release shall be mitigated to a level of
insignificance in compliance with current state and federal requirements.
(B) 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.
(d) None of the housing on the site is located within 500 feet of a freeway, as defined in Section 332 of the Vehicle Code.
(e) None of the housing on the site is located within 3,200 feet of a facility that actively
extracts or refines oil or natural gas.
(f) The development will meet the following objective zoning standards, objective subdivision standards, and objective design review standards:
(1) The applicable objective standards shall be those for the zone that allows residential use at a greater density between the following:
(A) The existing zoning designation for the parcel if existing zoning allows multifamily residential use.
(B) The zoning designation for the closest parcel that allows residential use at a density that meets the requirements of subdivision (b).
(2) The applicable objective
standards shall be those in effect at the time that the development application is submitted to the local government pursuant to this article.
(g) For purposes of this section, “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:
(1) 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.
(2) 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 section if the development is consistent with the standards set forth in the general plan.
65912.114.
(a) (1) If the local government determines that a development submitted pursuant to this article is
consistent with the objective planning standards specified in this article, it shall approve the development.(2) If a local government determines that a development submitted pursuant to this article is in conflict with any of the objective planning standards specified in this article, 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) Within 60 days of submittal of the development proposal to the local government if the development contains 150 or fewer housing units.
(B) Within 90
days of submittal of the development proposal to the local government if the development contains more than 150 housing units.
(b) If the local government fails to provide the required documentation pursuant to subdivision (a), the development shall be deemed to satisfy the required objective planning standards.
(c) (1) 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.
(2) For purposes of this section, a development is not in conflict with the objective planning standards solely 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.
(d) 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.
(e) 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:
(1) 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.
(2) 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.
(f) A development proposed pursuant to this article shall be eligible for a density bonus, incentives or concessions, waivers or reductions of development standards, and parking ratios pursuant to Section 65915.
(g) 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.
(h) 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).
(i) A local government may exempt a parcel from this section before a development proponent submits a development application on a parcel pursuant to this article if the local government makes written findings establishing all of the following:
(1) The local government has identified one or more parcels that
meet the criteria described in subdivisions (b) through (f) of Section 65912.111.
(2) (A) If
a parcel identified in paragraph (1) would not otherwise be eligible for development pursuant to this chapter, the local government has permitted the parcel to be developed pursuant to the requirements of this chapter.
(B) If a parcel identified in paragraph (1) would otherwise be eligible for development pursuant to this chapter, the local government has permitted residential densities above the residential density required in subdivision (b) of Section 65912.113.
(3) The development of the parcel or parcels pursuant to paragraph (3) will result in all of the following:
(A) No net loss of the total potential residential density in the jurisdiction.
(B) No net loss of the potential residential density of housing affordable to lower income households in the jurisdiction.
(C) Affirmative furthering of fair housing.
(j) 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.
(k) Any proposed modifications to a development project approved pursuant to this section shall be undertaken pursuant to subdivision (g) of Section 65913.4.
(l) 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.
(m) 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.
(n) 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.
(o) A local government may adopt an ordinance to implement the provisions of this article. 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.
Article
3. Mixed-Income Housing Developments Along Commercial Corridors
65912.120.
Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of a local government’s general plan, specific plan, zoning ordinance, or regulation, a development proponent may submit an application for a housing development that shall be a use by right and that shall be subject to a streamlined, ministerial review pursuant to Section 65912.124 if the proposed housing development satisfies all of the requirements in Sections 65912.121, 65912.122, and 65912.123.65912.121.
A development project shall not be subject to the streamlined, ministerial review process provided by Section 65912.124 unless the development project is on a site that satisfies all of the following criteria:(a) It is located within a zone where office, retail, or parking are principally permitted use.
(b) It is located on a legal parcel or parcels that meet either of the following:
(1) It is within a city where the city boundaries include some portion of either an urbanized area or urban cluster, as designated by the United States Census Bureau.
(2) It is in an unincorporated area, and the legal parcel or parcels are wholly within the boundaries of an urbanized area or urban cluster, as designated by the United States Census Bureau.
(c) The project site abuts a commercial corridor and has a frontage along the commercial corridor of a minimum of 50 feet.
(d) The site is not greater than 20 acres.
(e) At least 75 percent of the perimeter of the site adjoins parcels that are developed with urban uses. For purposes of this subdivision, parcels that are only separated by a street or highway shall be considered to be adjoined.
(f) (1) It is not 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.
(2) For purposes of this subdivision, parcels only separated by a street or highway shall be considered to be adjoined.
(3) For purposes of this subdivision, “dedicated to industrial use” means any of the following:
(A) The square footage is currently being used as an industrial use.
(B) The most recently permitted use of the square footage is an industrial use.
(C) The site was designated for industrial use in the latest version of a local
government’s general plan adopted before January 1, 2022.
(g) It satisfies the requirements specified in subparagraphs (B) to (K), inclusive, of paragraph (6) of subdivision (a) of Section 65913.4.
(h) The development is not located on a site where any of the following apply:
(1) The development would require the demolition of the following types of housing:
(A) 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.
(B) Housing that is
subject to any form of rent or price control through a public entity’s valid exercise of its police power.
(C) Housing that has been occupied by tenants within the past 10 years, excluding any manager’s units.
(2) The site was previously used for permanent housing that was occupied by tenants, excluding any manager’s units, that was demolished within 10 years before the development proponent submits an application under this article.
(3) The development would require the demolition of a historic structure that was placed on a national, state, or local historic register.
(4) The property contains one to four dwelling units.
(5) The property is vacant and zoned for housing but not for multifamily residential use.
(6) The existing parcel of land or site 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).
(i) For a site within a neighborhood plan area, the site satisfies
either of the following conditions:
(1) As of January 1, 2022, there was a neighborhood plan applicable to the site that permitted multifamily housing development on the site.
(2) As of January 1, 2024, there was a neighborhood plan applicable to the site that permitted multifamily housing development on the site and all of the following occurred:
(A) A notice of preparation for the neighborhood plan was issued before January 1, 2022, pursuant to the requirements of Sections 21080.4 and 21092 of the Public Resources Code.
(B) The neighborhood plan was adopted on or after January 1, 2022, and before January 1, 2024.
(C) The environmental review for the neighborhood plan was completed before January 1, 2024.
(j) For a vacant site, the site satisfies both of the following:
(1) It does not contain tribal cultural resources, as
defined by Section 21074 of the Public Resources Code, that could be affected by the development that were found pursuant to a consultation as described by 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.
(2) It is not within a 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 or as designated pursuant to subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 51179.
65912.122.
A development project shall not be subject to the streamlined, ministerial review process provided by Section 65912.124 unless the development project meets all of the following affordability criteria:(a) (1) A rental housing development shall include either of the following:
(A) Eight percent of the units for very low income households and 5 percent of the units for extremely low income households.
(B) Fifteen percent of the units for lower income households.
(2) The development
proponent shall agree to, and the local government shall ensure, the continued affordability of all affordable rental units included pursuant to this subdivision for 55 years. Rents shall be set at an affordable rent, as defined in Section 50053 of the Health and Safety Code.
(b) (1) An owner-occupied housing development shall include either of the following:
(A) Thirty percent of the units must be offered at an affordable housing cost, as defined in Section 50052.5 of the Health and Safety Code, to moderate-income households.
(B) Fifteen percent of the units must be offered at an affordable housing cost, as defined in Section 50052.5 of the Health and Safety Code, to lower income households.
(2) The development proponent shall agree to, and the local government shall ensure, the continued affordability of all affordable ownership units for a period of 45 years.
(c) If the local government has a local affordable housing requirement, the housing development project shall comply with all of the following:
(1) The development project shall include the percentage of affordable units required by this section or the local requirement, whichever is higher.
(2) The development project shall meet the lowest income targeting in either policy.
(3) If the local affordable housing requirement
requires greater than 15 percent of the units to be dedicated for lower income households and does not require the inclusion of units affordable to very low and extremely low income households, then the rental housing development shall do both of the following:
(A) Include 8 percent of the units for very low income households and 5 percent of the units for extremely low income households.
(B) Fifteen percent of units affordable to lower income households shall be subtracted from the percentage of units required by the local policy at the highest required affordability level.
(d) Affordable units in the development project shall have the same bedroom and bathroom count ratio as the market rate units, be equitably distributed within the project, and have the same type or quality of appliances, fixtures, and finishes.
65912.123.
A development project shall not be subject to the streamlined, ministerial review process provided by Section 65912.124 unless the development project meets all of the following objective development standards:(a) The development shall be a multifamily housing development project.
(b) The residential density for the development shall be determined as follows:
(1) In a metropolitan jurisdiction, as determined pursuant to subdivisions (d) and (e) of Section 65583.2, the residential density for the development shall meet or exceed the greater of the
following:
(A) The residential density allowed on the parcel by the local government.
(B) For sites of less than one acre in size, 30 units per acre.
(C) For sites of one acre in size or greater located on a commercial corridor of less than 100 feet in width, 40 units per acre.
(D) For sites of one acre in size or greater located on a commercial corridor of 100 feet in width or greater, 60 units per acre.
(E) Notwithstanding subparagraph (B), (C), or (D), for sites within one-half mile of a major transit stop, 80 units per acre.
(2) In a jurisdiction that is not a metropolitan jurisdiction, as determined pursuant to subdivisions (d) and (e) of Section 65583.2, the residential density for the development shall meet or exceed the greater of the following:
(A) The residential density allowed on the parcel by the local government.
(B) For sites of less than one acre in size, 20 units per acre.
(C) For sites of one acre in size or greater located on a commercial corridor of less than 100 feet in width, 30 units per acre.
(D) For sites of one acre in size or greater located on a commercial corridor of 100 feet in width or greater, 50 units per acre.
(E) Notwithstanding subparagraph (B), (C), or (D), for sites within one-half mile of a major transit stop, 70 units per acre.
(c) The height limit applicable to the housing development shall be the greater of the following:
(1) The height allowed on the parcel by the local government.
(2) For sites on a commercial corridor of less than 100 feet in width, 35 feet.
(3) For sites on a commercial corridor of 100 feet in width or greater, 45 feet.
(4) Notwithstanding paragraphs (2) and (3), 65 feet for sites that meet all of the following criteria:
(A) They are within one-half mile of a major transit stop.
(B) They are within a city with a population of greater than 100,000.
(C) They are not within a coastal zone, as defined in Division 20 (commencing with Section 30000) of the Public Resources Code.
(d) The property
meets the following setback standards:
(1) For the portion of the property that fronts a commercial corridor, the following shall occur:
(A) No setbacks shall be required.
(B) All parking must be set back at least 25 feet.
(C) On the ground floor, a building or buildings must abut within 10 feet of the property line for at least 80 percent of the frontage.
(2) For the portion of the property that fronts a side street, a building or buildings must abut within 10 feet of the property line for at least 60 percent of the frontage.
(3) For the
portion of the property that abuts an adjoining property that also abuts the same commercial corridor as the property, no setbacks are required unless the adjoining property contains a residential use that was constructed prior to the enactment of this chapter, in which case the requirements of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (4) apply.
(4) For the portion of the property line that does not abut a commercial corridor, a side street, or an adjoining property that also abuts the same commercial corridor as the property, the following shall occur:
(A) Along property lines that abut a property that contains a residential use, the following shall occur:
(i) The ground floor of the development project shall be set back at 10 feet.
The amount required to be set back may be decreased by the local government.
(ii) Starting with the second floor of the property, each subsequent floor of the development project shall be stepped back in an amount equal to seven feet multiplied by the floor number. For purposes of this paragraph, the ground floor counts as the first floor. The amount required to be stepped back may be decreased by the local government.
(B) Along property lines that abut a property that does not contain a residential use, the development shall be set back 15 feet. The amount required to be stepped back may be decreased by the local government.
(e) No parking shall be required, except that this article shall not reduce, eliminate, or
preclude the enforcement of any requirement imposed on a new multifamily residential or nonresidential development to provide bicycle parking, electric vehicle supply equipment installed parking spaces, or parking spaces that are accessible to persons with disabilities that would have otherwise applied to the development if this article did not apply.
(f) (1) The development proponent shall complete a phase I environmental assessment, as defined in Section 25319.1 of the Health and Safety Code.
(2) If a recognized environmental condition is found, the
development proponent shall undertake a preliminary endangerment assessment, as defined in Section 25319.5 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.
(A) If a release of a hazardous substance is found to exist on the site, the release shall be removed, or any significant effects of the release shall be mitigated to a level of insignificance in compliance with current state and federal requirements.
(B) 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.
(g) None of the housing on the site is located within 500 feet of a freeway, as defined in Section 332 of the Vehicle Code.
(h) None of the housing on the site is located within 3,200 feet of a facility that actively extracts or refines oil or natural gas.
(i) (1) The development proponent shall provide written notice of the pending application to each commercial tenant on the parcel when the application is submitted.
(2) The development
proponent shall provide relocation assistance to each eligible commercial tenant located on the site as follows:
(A) For a commercial tenant operating on the site for at least one year but less than five years, the relocation assistance shall be equivalent to six months’ rent.
(B) For a commercial tenant operating on the site for at least 5 years but less than 10 years, the relocation assistance shall be equivalent to nine months’ rent.
(C) For a commercial tenant operating on the site for at least 10 years but less than 15 years, the relocation assistance shall be equivalent to 12 months’ rent.
(D) For a commercial tenant operating on the site for at least 15
years but less than 20 years, the relocation assistance shall be equivalent to 15 months’ rent.
(E) For a commercial tenant operating on the site for at least 20 years, the relocation assistance shall be equivalent to 18 months’ rent.
(3) The relocation assistance shall be provided to an eligible commercial tenant upon expiration of the lease of that commercial tenant.
(4) For purposes of this subdivision, a commercial tenant is eligible for relocation assistance if the commercial tenant meets all of the following criteria:
(A) The commercial tenant is an independently owned and operated business with its principal office located in the county in which
the property on the site that is leased by the commercial tenant is located.
(B) The commercial tenant’s lease expired and was not renewed by the property owner.
(C) The commercial tenant’s lease expired within the three years following the development proponent’s submission of the application for a housing development pursuant to this article.
(D) The commercial tenant employs 20 or fewer employees and has an annual average gross receipts under one million dollars ($1,000,000) for the three taxable year period ending with the taxable year that precedes the expiration of their lease.
(E) The commercial tenant is still in operation on the site at the time of
the expiration of its lease.
(5) Notwithstanding paragraph (4), for purposes of this subdivision, a commercial tenant is ineligible for relocation assistance if the commercial tenant meets both of the following criteria:
(A) The commercial tenant entered into a lease on the site after the development proponent’s submission of the application for a housing development pursuant to this article.
(B) The commercial tenant had not previously entered into a lease on the site.
(6) (A) The commercial tenant shall utilize the funds provided by the development proponent to relocate the business or for costs of a new business.
(B) Notwithstanding paragraph (2), if the commercial tenant elects not to use the funds provided as required by subparagraph (A), the development proponent shall provide only assistance equal to three months’ rent, regardless of the duration of the commercial tenant’s lease.
(7) For purposes of this subdivision, monthly rent is equal to one-twelfth of the total amount of rent paid by the commercial tenant in the last 12 months.
(j) Other objective zoning standards, objective subdivision standards, and objective design review standards as follows:
(1) The applicable objective standards shall be those for the closest zone in the city, county, or city and county
that allows multifamily residential use at the residential density determined pursuant to subdivision (b). If no zone exists that allows the residential density determined pursuant to subdivision (b), the applicable objective standards shall be those for the zone that allows the greatest density within the city, county, or city and county.
(2) The applicable objective standards shall be those in effect at the time that the development application is submitted to the local government pursuant to this article.
(3) The applicable objective standards may include a requirement that up to one-half of the ground floor of the housing development project be dedicated to retail use.
(4) For purposes of this section,
“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. 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.
65912.124.
(a) (1) If the local government determines that a development submitted pursuant to this article is consistent with the objective planning standards specified in this article, it shall approve the development.(2) If a local government determines that a development submitted pursuant to this article is in conflict with any of the objective planning standards specified in this article, 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) Within 60 days of submittal of the development proposal to the local government if the development contains 150 or fewer housing units.
(B) Within 90 days of submittal of the development proposal to the local government if the development contains more than 150 housing units.
(b) If the local government fails to provide the required documentation pursuant to subdivision (a), the development shall be deemed to satisfy the required objective planning standards.
(c) (1) 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.
(2) For purposes of this section, a development is not in conflict with the objective planning standards solely 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.
(d) 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.
(e) 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:
(1) 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.
(2) 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.
(f) A housing development proposed pursuant to this article shall be eligible for a density bonus, incentives or concessions, waivers or reductions of development standards, and parking ratios pursuant to Section 65915, except that the project shall not use a concession to reduce a local government requirement for the provision of ground floor retail that is consistent with the allowance contained in paragraph (3) of subdivision (j) of Section 65912.123.
(g) 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.
(h) 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).
(i) A local government may exempt a parcel from this section before a development
proponent submits a development application on a parcel pursuant to this article if the local government makes written findings establishing all of the following:
(1) The local government has identified a parcel or
parcels that
meet the criteria described in subdivisions (b) and (e) to (h), inclusive, of Section 65912.121.
(2) (A) If a parcel identified in paragraph (1) would not otherwise be eligible for development pursuant to this chapter, the local government has permitted the parcel to be developed pursuant to the requirements of this chapter.
(B) If a parcel identified in paragraph (1) would otherwise be eligible for development pursuant to this chapter, the local government has permitted residential densities above the residential density required in subdivision (b) of
Section 65912.123 and heights required in subdivision (c) of Section 65912.123.
(3) The development of the parcel or parcels pursuant to paragraph (3) will result in all of the following:
(A) No net loss of the total potential residential density in the jurisdiction.
(B) No net loss of the potential residential density of housing affordable to lower income households in the jurisdiction.
(C) Affirmative furthering of fair housing.
(j) 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.
(k) Any proposed modifications to a development project approved pursuant to this section shall be undertaken pursuant to subdivision (g) of Section 65913.4.
(l) 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.
(m) 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.
(n) 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.
(o) A local government may adopt an ordinance to implement the provisions of this article. 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.
Article
4. Labor Standards
65912.130.
A development project approved by a local government pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 65912.110) or Article 3 (commencing with Section 65912.120) shall meet all of the following labor standards:(a) The development proponent shall require in contracts with construction contractors, and shall certify to the local government, that the standards specified in this section will be met in project construction.
(b) 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:
(1) 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.
(2) The development proponent shall ensure that the prevailing wage requirement is included in all contracts for the performance of the work for those portions of the
development that are not a public work.
(3) All contractors and subcontractors for those portions of the development that are not a public work shall comply with both of the following:
(A) 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.
(B) 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 subparagraph 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 subparagraph, “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) (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) 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.
(B) An underpaid worker through an administrative complaint or civil action.
(C) A joint labor-management committee through a civil action under Section 1771.2 of the Labor Code.
(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) 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.
(d) 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 development that are not a public work if otherwise provided in a bona fide collective bargaining agreement covering the worker.
(e) 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.
65912.131.
In addition to the requirements of Section 65912.130, a development of 50 or more housing units approved by a local government pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 65912.110) or Article 3 (commencing with Section 65912.120) shall meet all of the following labor standards: (a) 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 subdivisions (b) and (c). A construction contractor is deemed in compliance with subdivisions (b) and (c) 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.
(b) A contractor with construction craft employees shall either participate in an apprenticeship program approved by the State of 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 subdivision.
(c) 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 40-year-old adults 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 subdivision. Qualifying expenditures shall be credited toward compliance with prevailing wage payment requirements set forth in Section 65912.130.
(d) (1) 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 subdivisions (b) and (c). 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.
(2) 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 subdivision (b) or (c) shall be subject to a civil penalty of two hundred dollars ($200) per day for each worker employed in contravention of subdivision (b) or (c).
(3) 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.
(e) 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.
(f) 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.
(g) 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 subdivision (c) in accordance with Section 218.7 or 218.8 of the Labor Code.