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Housing Element Sites Inventory Guidebook (AB 1397) · 2026 edition · updated 2026-07-29 · California
If the parcel is nonvacant, including underutilized sites (see definition of vacant site on page 22), move to Part D: Nonvacant Sites Analysis
If not, move to Part E: Determination of Adequate Sites
Site Inventory Guidebook
Page 23
May 2020
PART D: NONVACANT SITES
Local governments with limited vacant land resources or with infill and reuse goals may rely on the potential for new residential development on nonvacant sites, including underutilized sites, to accommodate their RHNA. Examples include:
Sites with obsolete uses that have the potential for redevelopment, such as a vacant restaurant.
Nonvacant publicly owned surplus or excess land; portions of blighted areas with abandoned or vacant buildings.
Existing high opportunity developed areas with mixed-used potential.
Nonvacant substandard or irregular lots that could be consolidated.
Any other suitable underutilized land.
Local governments can meet other important community objectives to preserve open space or agricultural resources, as well as assist in meeting greenhouse gas emission-reduction goals, by adopting policies to maximize existing land resources and by promoting more compact development patterns or reuse of existing buildings.
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Ask AI about this code▸ Contents — Housing Element Sites Inventory Guidebook (AB 1397)
- SUBJECT: Housing Element Site Inventory Guidebook Government C…
- Housing Element Site Inventory Requirements
- SITE INVENTORY GUIDEBOOK FRAMEWORK
- PART A: IDENTIFICATION OF SITES
- PART B: SITES TO ACCOMMODATE LOW AND VERY LOW- INCOME RHNA
- PART C: CAPACITY ANALYSIS
- PART D: NONVACANT SITES
- PART E: DETERMINATION OF ADEQUATE SITES
- Step 1: Identification of Developable Sites Government Code se…
- Government Code section 65583.2(b)
- Step 3: Infrastructure Availability Government Code section 65…
- Step 4: Map of Sites
- Step 5: Determination of Consistency with Affirmatively Furthe…
- Government Code section 65583.2(c)
- HCD Best Practices for selecting sites to accommodate the lowe…
- Step 7: Environmental Constraints
- NEXT STEP:
- Step 1: NEW Sites Used in Previous Planning Periods Housing El…
- Unusual Circumstances
- Step 1B:
- Definition of Use By Right (Government Code section 65583.2 (i))
- Sample Program:
- Government Code section 65583.2(c)(3)
- Housing Overlays
- Step 3: Size of Sites
- Definition of a Large Site
- Specific Plans, Master Plan, and other Subdivisions
- NEXT STEP:
- Step1: Utilizing minimum densities to calculate realistic capa…
- Government Code section 65583.2(c)(2)
- - Applicable land use controls and site improvement requirements
- Form Based Codes
- Typical densities of existing or approved residential developm…
- No Net Loss Law
- NEXT STEP:
- Definition of a Vacant Site
- Step 1: Description of the nonvacant site Government Code Sect…
- Government Code section 65583.2(g)(1)
- Existing Uses:
- Development Trends:
- Market Conditions:
- Availability of Regulatory and/or other Incentives:
- Step 3: NEW Reliance on nonvacant sites to accommodate more th…
- Step 4: NEW Program and policy requiring replacement of existi…
- Program X: Replacement Unit Program
- Funding: General Funds
- NEXT STEP:
- Government Code section 65583.1
- Impact of New Accessory Dwelling Unit Laws
- Step 2: Determine whether there is sufficient capacity to acco…
- Step 3: Adequate Sites Program
- General Program Requirements
- Timing
- Consequences for Failing to Complete Rezoning Deadline:
- Housing Accountability Act and the Housing Element
- Annexation
- Common Program Questions and Answers for Shortfall Zoning:
- ATTACHMENT 1: SUMMARY OF NEW LAWS REFERENCED IN THE GUIDEBOOK
- ATTACHMENT 2: GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 65583.2