Housing: small lot subdivisions.

(1) The Planning and Zoning Law requires a city or county to adopt a general plan for land use development within its boundaries that includes, among other things, a housing element. Existing law provides for various incentives intended to facilitate and expedite the construction of affordable housing. This bill would authorize a development proponent to submit an application for the construction of a small lot subdivision, as defined, that meets specified criteria. The bill would require a small lot subdivision to be located on a parcel zoned for multifamily residential use and consist of single-family housing units with a floorspace of 1,200 square feet or less. The bill would require that the units comply with existing height and setback requirements applicable to the presubdivided parcel. The bill would prohibit the total number of units created by the small lot subdivision from exceeding the minimum general plan density required for the presubdivided lot. The bill would require that the small lot subdivision comply with any local inclusionary housing ordinance. This bill would prohibit a local agency from imposing specified requirements on a small lot subdivision created pursuant to these provisions, including setback requirements between units within a subdivided parcel, except as specified, requirements on the minimum size of each subdivided parcel, and specified parking requirements. The bill would prohibit a development subject to these provisions from receiving a density bonus, concession, incentive, or waiver of development standards under the density bonus law. (2) The bill would make findings that ensuring access to affordable housing is a matter of statewide concern rather than a municipal affair and, therefore, specify that the bill applies to all cities, including a charter city and a charter city and county. (3) By imposing requirements on local agencies relative to the development of small lot subdivisions, the bill imposes a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.