Chapter 18 — HOUSING ELEMENT SITES

(A) The purpose of this chapter is to establish procedures to implement State Housing Element Law related to sites that are identified in the Housing Element of the General Plan and its associated implementation programs. These procedures apply to the Sites Inventory identified in the most recently adopted Housing Element. (Ord. 856-26, 1-20-2026)

HOUSING DEVELOPMENT PROJECT: has the same meaning as defined in paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of California Government Code Section 65905.5.

HOUSING ELEMENT SITES: Sites listed on the inventory of land suitable for residential development developed pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of the California Government Code Section 65583 that exists in the adopted Housing Element. LOWER INCOME HOUSEHOLDS: Has the same meaning as defined in Health and Safety Code Section 50079.5.

MINISTERIAL APPROVAL: A process for development approval to approve a “use by right” as this term is defined in California Government Code Section 65583.2(i).

PRIOR HOUSING ELEMENT SITES: Housing Element Sites identified as meeting the criteria for a prior housing element site in the most recently adopted Housing Element, including non-vacant sites that were identified in the prior Housing Element and vacant sites that were identified in the prior two Housing Elements. (Ord. 856-26, 1-20-2026)

Prior Housing Element Sites. If a Housing Development Project is proposed on a Prior Housing Element Site and at least twenty percent of the project’s units will be made affordable and available to Lower Income Households, then the project shall be subject to ministerial approval pursuant to California Government Code Section 65583.2(i) and thus not subject to CEQA. Projects will be reviewed against requirements in the municipal code, general plan, specific plan, and any applicable objective design standards. No discretionary conditions will be administered, and the project will not be subject to appeal before a discretionary body. The interpretation of objective requirements may be appealed by the applicant to the appropriate decision-making body. (Ord. 856-26, 1-202026)