Starter Home Revitalization Act of 2021.

(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 home lot development, as defined, that meets specified criteria. The bill would require a small home lot development to be located on a parcel that is no larger than 5 acres, is substantially surrounded by qualified urban uses, as defined, and is zoned for multifamily residential use. The bill would require a small home lot development to meet a minimum unit requirement and to consist of single-family housing units with an average total area of floorspace of 1,750 net habitable square feet or less. The bill would require that the units comply with external existing height and setback requirements applicable to the multifamily site. The bill would require that the small home lot development comply with any local inclusionary housing ordinance. The bill would prohibit the small home development on the proposed site from being subdivided if the development would require the demolition or alteration of specified types of housing, and would prohibit a small home development on a site identified in the jurisdiction's housing element to accommodate that jurisdiction's regional housing need for low-income or very low income households. This bill would prohibit a local agency from imposing specified requirements on a small home lot development created pursuant to these provisions, including setback requirements between units within the small home lot development, requirements on the minimum size of each small home lot development, and specified parking requirements. The bill would require a city, county, or city and county to approve an application for a small home lot development unless it makes a specified finding. (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 home lot developments, 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.