Vallejo Municipal Code (VMC) Chapter 16.214 implements the State's Density Bonus Law (Government Code Sections 65915 and 65917) and the Streamlined Ministerial Approval Process (Government Code Section 65913.4). This chapter supports the objectives of the City's adopted Housing Element in the General Plan, which aims to increase the construction of affordable housing for lower-income households. The incentives available to developers include:
- Density Bonus: Developers are allowed to build more units than typically permitted under zoning regulations if they include affordable housing in their projects. This incentive makes projects more economically viable and boosts the supply of affordable housing (see Solano County Density Bonus Guide for eligibility thresholds and bonus calculations).
- Incentives & Concessions: Projects qualifying for a density bonus may also receive reductions in development standards, approvals for mixed-use zoning, and other regulatory relaxations that lead to tangible cost reductions.
- Streamlined Review: Projects with at least fifty percent affordable housing that meet the criteria outlined in Government Code Section 65913.4 qualify for a streamlined, ministerial review process. This exempts them from certain environmental and discretionary reviews, facilitating faster development.