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Affordable units in new housing (inclusionary) in Alameda

Alameda's own rules on affordable units in new housing (inclusionary), with the code text for every value.

Each rule below links to the section of the Alameda Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Alameda's code says

Alameda code What Alameda's code adds
Exemptions
  • Developments of 9 or fewer units may meet the requirements by paying an in-lieu fee.
    Applies: Residential developments of 9 or fewer units, including inclusionary units.
    § 30-16.6 · code text
    For Residential Developments of nine (9) or fewer units, including Inclusionary Units, the requirements of this section may be satisfied by paying an In-Lieu Fee.
Fee instead of units
  • Set by City Council resolution; covers the gap between affordable rent or price capital and inclusionary unit building cost.
    Applies: Residential developments of 9 or fewer units, including inclusionary units; paid when building permits are issued for market-rate units.
    § 30-16.6 · code text
    The fee will be set by the City Council by resolution and shall be sufficient to make up the gap between (i) the amount of development capital typically expected to be available based on the amount to be received by a developer or owner from Affordable Housing Cost or Affordable Rent, and (ii) the anticipated cost of constructing the Inclusionary Units.
Projects it applies to
  • The requirement applies to developments of 5 or more units.
    § 30-16.4 · code text
    For all Residential Developments of five (5) or more units, at least fifteen percent (15%) of the total units must be Inclusionary Units restricted for occupancy by Very Low-, Low- or Moderate-Income Households.
Share of affordable units
  • At least 15% of the total units.
    Applies: Developments of 5 or more units; units restricted for very low-, low- or moderate-income households.
    § 30-16.4 · code text
    For all Residential Developments of five (5) or more units, at least fifteen percent (15%) of the total units must be Inclusionary Units restricted for occupancy by Very Low-, Low- or Moderate-Income Households.
  • 4% of the total units.
    Applies: Low-income households.
    § 30-16.4 · code text
    Four percent (4%) of the total units must be restricted to occupancy by Low-Income Households;
  • 4% of the total units.
    Applies: Very low-income households.
    § 30-16.4 · code text
    four percent (4%) of the total units must be restricted to occupancy by Very Low-Income Households;
  • 7% of the total units.
    Applies: Moderate-income households.
    § 30-16.4 · code text
    and seven percent (7%) must be restricted to occupancy by Moderate-Income Households.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Does Alameda require affordable units in new housing?

Alameda's code: Developments of 9 or fewer units may meet the requirements by paying an in-lieu fee. (Residential developments of 9 or fewer units, including inclusionary units.) (§ 30-16.6); Set by City Council resolution; covers the gap between affordable rent or price capital and inclusionary unit building cost. (Residential developments of 9 or fewer units, including inclusionary units; paid when building permits are issued for market-rate units.) (§ 30-16.6).

General information, not legal advice.

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