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Step 3: Infrastructure Availability Government Code section 65583.2(b)(5)(B)

Housing Element Sites Inventory Guidebook (AB 1397) · 2026 edition · updated 2026-07-29 · California

Determine if parcels included in the inventory, including any parcels identified for rezoning, have sufficient water, sewer, and dry utilities available and accessible to support housing development or whether they are included in an existing general plan program or other mandatory program or plan, including a program or plan of a public or private entity to secure sufficient water, sewer, and dry utilities supply to support housing development on the site in time to make housing development realistic during the planning period. Dry utilities include, at minimum, a reliable energy source that supports full functionality of the

Site Inventory Guidebook

May 2020

Page 7

home and could also include access to natural gas, telephone and/or cellular service, cable or satellite television systems, and internet or Wi-Fi service.

If Yes: Provide an analysis in the housing element describing existing or planned water, sewer, and other dry utilities supply, including the availability and access to parcels on the site inventory, distribution facilities, general plan programs or other mandatory program or plan (including a program or plan of a public or private entity to secure water or sewer service) to support housing development on the site. The housing element must include sufficient detail to determine whether the service levels of water delivery/treatment systems and sewer treatment facilities are sufficient and have the capacity to accommodate development on all identified sites in order to accommodate the RHNA. For example, the water supply should be a reliable supply that meets federal and state drinking water standards.

Please note sites identified as available for housing for above moderate-income households can still be in areas not served by public sewer systems.

If No: Include a program in the housing element that ensures access and availability to infrastructure to accommodate development within the planning period. If this is not possible, the site is not suitable for inclusion in the site inventory or in a program of action identifying a site for rezoning.

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▸ Contents — Housing Element Sites Inventory Guidebook (AB 1397)
Housing Element Sites Inventory Guidebook (AB 1397)
  1. SUBJECT: Housing Element Site Inventory Guidebook Government C…
  2. Housing Element Site Inventory Requirements
  3. SITE INVENTORY GUIDEBOOK FRAMEWORK
  4. PART A: IDENTIFICATION OF SITES
  5. PART B: SITES TO ACCOMMODATE LOW AND VERY LOW- INCOME RHNA
  6. PART C: CAPACITY ANALYSIS
  7. PART D: NONVACANT SITES
  8. PART E: DETERMINATION OF ADEQUATE SITES
  9. Step 1: Identification of Developable Sites Government Code se…
  10. Government Code section 65583.2(b)
  11. Step 3: Infrastructure Availability Government Code section 65…
  12. Step 4: Map of Sites
  13. Step 5: Determination of Consistency with Affirmatively Furthe…
  14. Government Code section 65583.2(c)
  15. HCD Best Practices for selecting sites to accommodate the lowe…
  16. Step 7: Environmental Constraints
  17. NEXT STEP:
  18. Step 1: NEW Sites Used in Previous Planning Periods Housing El…
  19. Unusual Circumstances
  20. Step 1B:
  21. Definition of Use By Right (Government Code section 65583.2 (i))
  22. Sample Program:
  23. Government Code section 65583.2(c)(3)
  24. Housing Overlays
  25. Step 3: Size of Sites
  26. Definition of a Large Site
  27. Specific Plans, Master Plan, and other Subdivisions
  28. NEXT STEP:
  29. Step1: Utilizing minimum densities to calculate realistic capa…
  30. Government Code section 65583.2(c)(2)
  31. - Applicable land use controls and site improvement requirements
  32. Form Based Codes
  33. Typical densities of existing or approved residential developm…
  34. No Net Loss Law
  35. NEXT STEP:
  36. Definition of a Vacant Site
  37. Step 1: Description of the nonvacant site Government Code Sect…
  38. Government Code section 65583.2(g)(1)
  39. Existing Uses:
  40. Development Trends:
  41. Market Conditions:
  42. Availability of Regulatory and/or other Incentives:
  43. Step 3: NEW Reliance on nonvacant sites to accommodate more th…
  44. Step 4: NEW Program and policy requiring replacement of existi…
  45. Program X: Replacement Unit Program
  46. Funding: General Funds
  47. NEXT STEP:
  48. Government Code section 65583.1
  49. Impact of New Accessory Dwelling Unit Laws
  50. Step 2: Determine whether there is sufficient capacity to acco…
  51. Step 3: Adequate Sites Program
  52. General Program Requirements
  53. Timing
  54. Consequences for Failing to Complete Rezoning Deadline:
  55. Housing Accountability Act and the Housing Element
  56. Annexation
  57. Common Program Questions and Answers for Shortfall Zoning:
  58. ATTACHMENT 1: SUMMARY OF NEW LAWS REFERENCED IN THE GUIDEBOOK
  59. ATTACHMENT 2: GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 65583.2

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