Density Bonus Law: California Coastal Act of 1976.

Existing law, referred to as the Density Bonus Law, requires a city or county to provide a developer that proposes a housing development within the city or county with a density bonus and other incentives or concessions, as specified, if the developer agrees to construct specified percentages of units for lower income households or very low income households, and meets other requirements. Existing law, the California Coastal Act of 1976 (act) , regulates development, as defined, in the coastal zone, as defined, and requires a new development to comply with specified requirements. The Density Bonus Law provides that its provisions do not supersede or in any way alter or lessen the effect or application of the act, and requires that any density bonus, concessions, incentives, waivers or reductions of development standards, and parking ratios to which an applicant is entitled under the Density Bonus Law be permitted in a manner consistent with the act. This bill would instead provide that, in the coastal zone, the Density Bonus Law does not relieve a project from the requirement to obtain a coastal development permit, as specified. The bill would require any density bonus, concessions, incentives, waivers or reductions of development standards, and parking ratios to which an applicant is entitled to be permitted in a manner that is consistent with the Density Bonus Law and does not result in significant adverse impacts to coastal resources and public coastal access, as specified. Existing law, the California Coastal Act, requires each local government lying, in whole or in part, within the coastal zone to prepare a local coastal program, as specified. Existing law specifies that a local coastal program is not required to include housing policies and programs. This bill would repeal that provision and instead require, on or by July 1, 2026, any local government in the coastal zone to submit an amendment to the local government's local coastal program that harmonizes the Density Bonus Law and the California Coastal Act, as specified. The bill would require this amendment to be processed as de minimis, as specified, if certain conditions are met. By requiring local governments to submit an amendment to its local coastal program, this bill would impose 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, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.