5-2F-9: - AFFORDABLE HOUSING OVERLAY.
Hidden Hills Zoning Code · 2026-07 edition · ingested 2026-07-06 · Hidden Hills
A. There is hereby created an Affordable Housing Overlay ("AHO") zoning designation in the Commercial Restricted ("CR") Zone.
B. Purpose and Applicability: This Affordable Housing Overlay ("AHO") is intended to identify sites within the City's CR Zone where lower-income multiple-family dwellings may be established and maintained in compliance with this Section. The overlay zone implements General Plan Housing Element Implementation Program 5(d) by zoning suitable sites within the CR Zone that can accommodate at least 16 units per site with a minimum density of 20 units per acre for lowerincome residential use. The purpose of this overlay zone is to accommodate the City's Regional Housing Need Allocation (RHNA) for lower-income households. The overlay zone shall be designated on the City's Official Zoning Map and shall comprise the parcels designated therein, or less as required to provide sites sufficient to accommodate the Adjusted RHNA.
C. Definitions:
Adjusted Regional Housing Need Allocation or Adjusted RHNA means the unmet RHNA after crediting units by income category constructed during the planning period.
Lower-income means gross household income not exceeding eighty percent of the "area (Los Angeles County) median income" published annually by the California Department of Housing and Community Development.
Lower-Income Multiple-Family Dwelling means two-family dwellings and multiple dwellings, as those terms are defined in this Code, where all dwelling units are affordable to lower-income households. This definition includes owner-occupied and rental dwelling units.
Regional Housing Need Allocation or RHNA means the projected housing need by income category adopted by the Southern California Association of Governments in accordance with Government Code Section 65584, and as set forth in the City's General Plan Housing Element.
D. Permitted Uses:
Lower-income multiple-family dwellings are permitted in the AHO subject to the development standards set forth in this Section.
Any land use other than Lower-income multiple-family dwellings that is permitted in the underlying zoning district under Section 5-2F-1 shall be permitted within the AHO with approval of a site plan review as set forth in Section 5-2F-6, except that a site plan shall not be required for the following:
- a. Continuation, modification or change of an existing use in an existing structure, provided that said modification or change of use does not require a discretionary planning permit (e.g., conditional use permit, or variance); and
- b. Reconstruction of damaged buildings in accordance with the provisions of this Code.
- Prior to approval of the site plan or any other discretionary planning permit for any development other than a Lower-income multiple-family dwelling within the AHO, the City shall find that the development will not reduce enough to eliminate or eliminate the capacity of sites within this overlay zone necessary to accommodate the adjusted RHNA for Lowerincome households.
- E. Lower-income multiple-family dwelling developments in the AHO shall:
Have a minimum density of 20 units per acre.
Have a minimum of 16 units.
Be comprised entirely of Lower-income multiple-family dwelling units affordable to Lowerincome households as set forth in subsection F. below. Notwithstanding, a mixed-use development consisting of lower-income multiple family dwelling units and commercial development may be allowed, provided that the residential portion of the project complies with the requirements of this Section, in addition to all other applicable requirements of this Code, and the commercial portion of the project complies with all applicable requirements for commercial developments in this Code.
Comply with the development and land use standards of this Article.
Receive approval from the Planning Agency of an architectural and site plan for design review purposes only.
F. Affordability:
Rental units: Prior to issuance of any building permit for a lower-income multiple-family dwelling in the AHO, the property owner shall enter into and record in the office of the Los Angeles County Recorder an affordable housing agreement with the City of Hidden Hills, in a form approved by the City, guaranteeing the affordability of the rental units for a period of not less than thirty years. The agreement shall include procedures for verifying and maintaining compliance with income eligibility requirements.
For-sale or owner-occupied units: Prior to issuance of any building permit for a lower-income multiple-family dwelling in the AHO, the property owner shall enter into and record in the office of the Los Angeles County Recorder a covenant in a form approved by the City restricting future sale prices to levels affordable to lower-income households and including
procedures for verifying and maintaining compliance with income eligibility requirements. All purchasers of these units shall supply proof of income eligibility to the City Engineer or designee for verification prior to sale and resale. This requirement shall be included in the recorded covenant.