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Affordable units in new housing (inclusionary) in Fountain Valley

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

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

What Fountain Valley's code says

Fountain Valley code What Fountain Valley's code adds
Exemptions
  • Projects that provide affordable housing equal to or better than the chapter's requirements are exempt.
    § 21.17.030 · code text
    Any project that provides affordable housing in a manner that is equivalent to or better than the requirements of this chapter, such as for example a project that has greater, deeper, and longer affordability covenants than required by this chapter.
  • Accessory dwelling units are exempt.
    § 21.17.030 · code text
    Accessory dwelling units.
  • Mobile homes are exempt.
    § 21.17.030 · code text
    Mobile homes.
  • Remodels and additions to single-family homes are exempt.
    § 21.17.030 · code text
    Remodels and additions to single-family homes.
Fee instead of units
  • The fee must cover the proportionate cost of providing inclusionary units elsewhere in the city, set by City Council resolution.
    § 21.17.050 · code text
    In-lieu fees shall be set by resolution of the city Council and shall be an amount sufficient to pay the proportionate cost of providing inclusionary units elsewhere in the city.
Projects it applies to
  • The rule applies to projects of 10 or more units. Each ADU counts as one-half unit.
    Applies: Applies to residential development projects; smaller projects are exempt.
    § 21.17.030 · code text
    Residential development projects that consist only of less than 10 units including ADUs (each ADU counted as one-half unit).
Share of affordable units
  • 15% of the units must be at an affordable housing cost.
    Applies: Applies to all new residential projects; the 15% may mix units for extremely low, very low and low income households, plus in-lieu fees.
    § 21.17.040 · code text
    All new residential development projects shall rent or sell 15% of the units at an affordable housing cost.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Does Fountain Valley require affordable units in new housing?

Fountain Valley's code: Projects that provide affordable housing equal to or better than the chapter's requirements are exempt. (§ 21.17.030); Accessory dwelling units are exempt. (§ 21.17.030).

General information, not legal advice.

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Fountain Valley Municipal Code — full text