Title 12 — Zoning Regulations›Part 2 — ADMINISTRATION
Chapter 12.48 — DENSITY BONUS
Gonzales Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · ingested 2026-07-06 · Gonzales
§ 12.48.010. AUTHORITY AND PURPOSE: ¶
The purpose of this chapter is to implement the State Density Bonus Law, Cal. Gov’t. Code § 65915 et seq.
(Ord. 2025-152, 8/18/2025; Ord. 2014-77, 3-3-2014)
§ 12.48.020. APPLICABILITY: ¶
The provisions of this chapter are applicable in all residential zoning districts. (Ord. 2025-152, 8/18/2025; Ord. 2014-77, 3-3-2014)
§ 12.48.030. QUALIFICATIONS: ¶
All proposed housing developments that qualify under Cal. Gov't. Code § 65915 for a density increase and other incentives, and any qualified land transfer under Cal. Gov't. Code § 65915 shall be eligible to apply for a density bonus (including incentives and/or concessions) consistent with the requirements, provisions and obligations set forth in Cal. Gov't. Code § 65915, as may be amended. (Ord. 2025-152, 8/18/2025)
§ 12.48.040. DENSITY BONUS, INCENTIVES AND CONCESSIONS: ¶
A. The City of Gonzales shall grant qualifying housing developments and qualifying land transfers a density bonus, the amount of which shall be as specified in Cal. Gov't. Code § 65915 et seq., and incentives or concessions also as described in Cal. Gov't. Code § 65915 et seq. A specific density bonus calculation chart for each qualifying housing development type is provided in section 12.48.080 .
B. Supplemental Density Bonus Programs. Projects qualifying for a density bonus under Cal. Gov't. Code § 65915 may receive the following additional density bonuses calculated in addition to the density bonus allowances as provided in State Density Bonus Law if they also meet the criteria for one or more of the following Supplemental Density Bonus Programs:
| Program | Criteria for Eligibility |
Incentive 1: Density Increase (5%) |
Incentive 2: Density Increase (10%) |
Incentive 3: Density Increase (15%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Agriculture Density Bonus Program |
Provides at least 500 sq. ft. of accessible edible garden space made available for all residents |
Projects with a total of 500 sq. ft. of edible garden space made available for all residents |
Projects with a total of 1,000 sq. ft. of edible garden space made available for all residents |
Projects with 1,500 sq. ft. of edible garden space made available for all residents |
| Large Family Density Bonus Program |
Rental developments of >5units with either 35% large- family units (3 bedrooms) of the total units, or 20% + of the total units as 4+ bedroom units |
Project with 35% of units as large- family units (3- bedroom units) |
Project with 20% of units as 4+ bedroom units |
Project with 25% of units as 4+ bedroom units |
| Universal Design Density Bonus Program |
At least 20% of units incorporate all of the following features: stepless entry on an accessible path of travel, a complete livable entry foor, including 32-inch clear-width doorways and hallways, and the provision of all environmental controls at accessible heights |
Projects with 20% of units meeting Universal Design Regulations |
Projects with 30% of units meeting Universal Design Regulations |
Projects with 40% of units meeting Universal Design Regulations |
(Ord. 2025-152, 8/18/2025)
§ 12.48.050. APPLICATION: ¶
An application for a density bonus or other incentive under this chapter for a housing development shall be submitted in writing to the Community Development Department to be processed concurrently with all other entitlements of the proposed housing development. The application for a housing development shall contain information sufficient to fully evaluate the request under the requirements of this chapter and applicable State law. (Ord. 2025-152, 8/18/2025)
§ 12.48.060. REVIEW AND CONSIDERATION: ¶
The application shall be considered by the Planning Commission or City Council concurrently with the project for which the request is being made. If the project is not to be otherwise considered by the Planning Commission or the City Council, the request being made under this chapter shall be
considered by the Community Development Director. The request shall be approved if the applicant complies with the provisions of Cal. Gov't. Code § 65915 et seq. (Ord. 2025-152, 8/18/2025)
§ 12.48.070. CONTINUED AFFORDABILITY: ¶
Consistent with the provisions of Cal. Gov't. Code § 65915 et seq., prior to a density bonus or other incentives being approved for a project, the City and the applicant shall agree to an appropriate method of assuring the continued availability of the density bonus units. (Ord. 2025-152, 8/18/2025)
§ 12.48.080. DENSITY BONUS CALCULATIONS: ¶
The table below provides the density bonus calculations pursuant to State Density Bonus Law:
| Base Project Set Aside 1 |
Very Low Income |
Low Income |
Moderate Income 2 |
Land Donation |
Senior Housing 3 |
Foster Youth, Disabled Vets, Homeles s 4 |
Student Housing 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5% | 20% | — | — | — | 20% | — | — |
| 6% | 22.5% | — | — | — | 20% | — | — |
| 7% | 25% | — | — | — | 20% | — | — |
| 8% | 27.5% | — | — | — | 20% | — | — |
| 9% | 30% | — | — | — | 20% | — | — |
| 10% | 32.5% | 20% | 5% | 15% | 20% | 20% | — |
| 11% | 35% | 21.5% | 6% | 16% | 20% | 20% | — |
| 12% | 38.75% | 23% | 7% | 17% | 20% | 20% | — |
| 13% | 42.5% | 24.5% | 8% | 18% | 20% | 20% | — |
| 14% | 46.25% | 26% | 9% | 19% | 20% | 20% | — |
| 15% | 50% | 27.5% | 10% | 20% | 20% | 20% | — |
| 16% | 50% | 29% | 11% | 21% | 20% | 20% | — |
| 17% | 50% | 30.5% | 12% | 22% | 20% | 20% | — |
| 18% | 50% | 32% | 13% | 23% | 20% | 20% | — |
| 19% | 50% | 33.5% | 14% | 24% | 20% | 20% | — |
| 20% | 50% | 35% | 15% | 25% | 20% | 20% | 35% |
| 21% | 50% | 38.75% | 16% | 26% | 20% | 20% | 35% |
| 22% | 50% | 42.5% | 17% | 27% | 20% | 20% | 35% |
| 23% | 50% | 46.25% | 18% | 28% | 20% | 20% | 35% |
| 24% | 50% | 50% | 19% | 29% | 20% | 20% | 35% |
| 25% | 50% | 50% | 20% | 30% | 20% | 20% | 35% |
| 26% | 50% | 50% | 21% | 31% | 20% | 20% | 35% |
| 27% | 50% | 50% | 22% | 32% | 20% | 20% | 35% |
| 28% | 50% | 50% | 23% | 33% | 20% | 20% | 35% |
| Base Project Set Aside 1 |
Very Low Income |
Low Income |
Moderate Income 2 |
Land Donation |
Senior Housing 3 |
Foster Youth, Disabled Vets, Homeles s 4 |
Student Housing 5 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 29% | 50% | 50% | 24% | 34% | 20% | 20% | 35% |
| 30% | 50% | 50% | 25% | 35% | 20% | 20% | 35% |
| 31% | 50% | 50% | 26% | 35% | 20% | 20% | 35% |
| 32% | 50% | 50% | 27% | 35% | 20% | 20% | 35% |
| 33% | 50% | 50% | 28% | 35% | 20% | 20% | 35% |
| 34% | 50% | 50% | 29% | 35% | 20% | 20% | 35% |
| 35% | 50% | 50% | 30% | 35% | 20% | 20% | 35% |
| 36% | 50% | 50% | 31% | 35% | 20% | 20% | 35% |
| 37% | 50% | 50% | 32% | 35% | 20% | 20% | 35% |
| 38% | 50% | 50% | 33% | 35% | 20% | 20% | 35% |
| 39% | 50% | 50% | 34% | 35% | 20% | 20% | 35% |
| 40% | 50% | 50% | 35% | 35% | 20% | 20% | 35% |
| 41% | 50% | 50% | 38.75% | 35% | 20% | 20% | 35% |
| 42% | 50% | 50% | 42.5% | 35% | 20% | 20% | 35% |
| 43% | 50% | 50% | 46.25% | 35% | 20% | 20% | 35% |
| 44% | 50% | 50% | 50% | 35% | 20% | 20% | 35% |
| 100% 6 |
80% | 80% | 80% | 35% | 20% | 20% | 35% |
Footnote:
1 Affordable unit percentage is calculated excluding the units added by density bonus.
2 Only applies to for-sale units, not to rental units.
3 No affordable units are required. The bonus is limited to 20% of the number of senior units only if no units are affordable.
4 The bonus is equal to 25% of the number of units designated for very low income foster youth, disabled veterans, and the homeless.
5 The bonus is equal to 40% of the number of student housing units designated for low-income students.
6 Applies when 100% of the total units (other than manager's units) are restricted to very low, low, and moderate income (maximum 20% moderate). If the project is within one-half mile of a major transit stop, there is no maximum density.
(Ord. 2025-152, 8/18/2025)