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§ 6606.1. Designation Criteria.

25 CA ADC § 6606.1Barclays Official California Code of RegulationsEffective: January 2, 2024

Barclays California Code of Regulations
Title 25. Housing and Community Development
Division 1. Housing and Community Development
Chapter 6. Department of Housing and Community Development Programs
Subchapter 6.6. Prohousing Designation Program
Effective: January 2, 2024
25 CCR § 6606.1
§ 6606.1. Designation Criteria.
Currentness
This section shall be effective starting on January 2, 2024 until and including March 1, 2024. Section 6606 shall be effective March 2, 2024.
(a) Applicants that meet the requirements in Sections 6604.1 and 6605.1 shall qualify for the review and validation phase of the application process.
(b) The Department shall validate applicants' scores based on the extent to which each identified Prohousing Policy contributes to the Acceleration of Housing Production. The Department shall assess applicants' Prohousing Policies in accordance with this section, Section 6605.1 of this Chapter, and Government Code section 65589.9, subdivision (f)(2). The Department shall further assess applicants' Prohousing Policies using the four scoring categories set forth at paragraphs (1)-(4) below. Applicants shall demonstrate that they have enacted or proposed at least one policy that significantly contributes to the Acceleration of Housing Production in each of the four categories. A Prohousing Designation requires a total score of 30 points or more across all four categories:
(1) Favorable Zoning and Land Use:
(A) Three (3) Points. Sufficient sites, including rezoning, to accommodate 150 percent or greater of the current or draft RHNA, whichever is greater, by total or income category.
(B) Three (3) Points. Permitting missing middle housing uses (e.g., duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes) by right in existing low-density, single-family residential zones.
(C) Two (2) Points. Sufficient sites, including rezoning, to accommodate 125 to 149 percent of the current or draft RHNA, whichever is greater, by total or income category. These points shall not be awarded if the applicant earns three points pursuant to paragraph (1)(A).
(D) Two (2) Points. Density bonus programs which exceed statutory requirements by 10 percent or more.
(E) Two (2) Points. Increasing allowable density in low-density, single-family residential areas beyond the requirements of state Accessory Dwelling Unit law (e.g., permitting more than one ADU or JADU per single-family lot). These policies shall be separate from any qualifying policies under paragraph (1)(B).
(F) Two (2) Points. Reducing or eliminating parking requirements for residential development as authorized by Government Code section 65852.2; adopting vehicular parking ratios that are less than the relevant ratio thresholds at subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of Government Code section 65915, subdivision (p)(1); or adopting maximum parking requirements at or less than ratios pursuant to Government Code section 65915, subdivision (p).
(G) One (1) point. Zoning to allow for residential or mixed uses in one or more non-residential zones (e.g., commercial, light industrial). Qualifying non-residential zones do not include open space or substantially similar zones.
(H) One (1) point. Modification of development standards and other applicable zoning provisions to promote greater development intensity. Potential areas of focus include floor area ratio; height limits; minimum lot or unit sizes; setbacks; and allowable dwelling units per acre. These policies must be separate from any qualifying policies under paragraph (1)(B).
(I) One (1) Point. Establishment of a Workforce Housing Opportunity Zone, as defined in Government Code section 65620, or a housing sustainability district, as defined in Government Code section 66200.
(J) One (1) Point. Demonstrating other zoning and land use actions that measurably support the Acceleration of Housing Production.
(2) Acceleration of Housing Production Timeframes:
(A) Three (3) Points. Establishment of ministerial approval processes for a variety of housing types, including single-family and multifamily housing.
(B) Two (2) Points. Establishment of streamlined, program-level CEQA analysis and certification of general plans, community plans, specific plans with accompanying Environmental Impact Reports (EIR), and related documents.
(C) Two (2) Points. Documented practice of streamlining housing development at the project level, such as by enabling a by-right approval process or by utilizing statutory and categorical exemptions as authorized by applicable law (Pub. Resources Code, §§ 21155.1, 21155.4, 21159.24, 21159.25; Gov. Code, § 65457; Cal Code Regs., tit. 14, §§ 15303, 15332; Pub. Resources Code, §§ 21094.5, 21099, 21155.2, 21159.28).
(D) Two (2) Points. Establishment of permit processes that take less than four months. Policies under this subparagraph must address all approvals necessary to issue building permits.
(E) Two (2) Points. Absence or elimination of public hearings for projects consistent with zoning and the general plan.
(F) One (1) Point. Establishment of consolidated or streamlined permit processes that minimize the levels of review and approval required for projects, and that are consistent with zoning regulations and the general plan.
(G) One (1) Point. Absence, elimination or replacement of subjective development and design standards with objective development and design standards that simplify zoning clearance and improve approval certainty and timing.
(H) One (1) Point. Establishment of one-stop-shop permitting processes or a single point of contact where entitlements are coordinated across city approval functions (e.g., planning, public works, building) from entitlement application to certificate of occupancy.
(I) One (1) Point. Priority permit processing or reduced plan check times for ADUs/JADUs, multifamily housing, or homes affordable to lower- or moderate-income households.
(J) One (1) Point. Establishment of a standardized application form for all entitlement applications.
(K) One (1) Point. Practice of publicly posting status updates on project permit approvals on the Internet.
(L) One (1) Point. Limitation on the total number of hearings for any project to three or fewer. Applicants that accrue points pursuant to paragraph (2)(E) are not eligible for points under this subparagraph.
(M) One (1) Point. Demonstration of other actions, not listed above, that quantifiably decrease production timeframes or promote the streamlining of approval processes.
(3) Reduction of Construction and Development Costs:
(A) Three (3) Points. Waiver or significant reduction of development impact fees for residential development.
(B) Two (2) Points. Adoption of ordinances or implementation of other mechanisms that result in less restrictive requirements than Government Code sections 65852.2 and 65852.22 to reduce barriers for property owners to create ADUs/JADUs. Examples of qualifying policies include, but are not limited to, development standards improvements, permit processing improvements, dedicated ADU/JADU staff, technical assistance programs, and pre-approved ADU/JADU design packages.
(C) One (1) Point. Adoption of other fee reduction strategies separate from paragraph (3)(A), including fee deferrals and reduced fees for housing for persons with special needs.
(D) One (1) Point. Promoting innovative housing types (e.g., manufactured homes, recreational vehicles, park models) that reduce development costs.
(E) One (1) Point. Measures that reduce costs for transportation-related infrastructure or programs that encourage active modes of transportation or other alternatives to automobiles. Qualifying policies include, but are not limited to, publicly funded programs to expand sidewalks or protect bike/micro-mobility lanes; creation of on-street parking for bikes; transit-related improvements; or establishment of carshare programs.
(F) One (1) Point. Adoption of universal design ordinances pursuant to Health and Safety Code section 17959.
(G) One (1) Point. Establishment of pre-approved or prototype plans for missing middle housing types (e.g., duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes) in low-density, single-family residential areas.
(H) One (1) Point. Demonstration of other actions, not listed above, that quantifiably reduce construction or development costs.
(4) Providing Financial Subsidies:
(A) Two (2) Points. Establishment of local housing trust funds or collaboration on a regional housing trust fund.
(B) Two (2) Points. Provide grants or low-interest loans for ADU/JADU construction affordable to lower- and moderate-income households.
(C) Two (2) Points. A comprehensive program that complies with the Surplus Land Act (Gov. Code, § 54220 et seq.) and that makes publicly owned land available for affordable housing, or for multifamily housing projects with the highest feasible percentage of units affordable to lower income households. A qualifying program may utilize mechanisms such as land donations, land sales with significant write-downs, or below-market land leases.
(D) Two (2) Points. Establishment of an Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District or similar local financing tool that, to the extent feasible, directly supports housing developments in an area where at least 20 percent of the residences will be affordable to lower income households.
(E) One (1) Point. Directed residual redevelopment funds to affordable housing.
(F) One (1) Point. Development and regular (at least biennial) use of a housing subsidy pool, local or regional trust fund, or other similar funding source.
(G) One (1) Point. Prioritization of local general funds for affordable housing.
(H) One (1) Point. Demonstration of other actions, not listed above, that quantifiably promote, develop, or leverage financial resources for housing.
(c) The Department shall utilize enhancement factors to increase the point scores of Prohousing Policies. Each Prohousing Policy will receive, if applicable, two extra points for the enhancement factor set forth at paragraph (1) below, and one extra point for each enhancement factor set forth at paragraphs (2)-(8) below:
(1) The policy represents one element of a unified, multi-faceted strategy to promote multiple planning objectives, such as efficient land use, access to public transportation, affordable housing, climate change solutions, and/or hazard mitigation.
(2) Policies that promote development consistent with the state planning priorities pursuant to Government Code section 65041.1.
(3) Policies that diversify planning and target community and economic development investments (housing and non-housing) to improve lower opportunity areas. Such areas include, but are not limited to, Low Resource and High Segregation & Poverty areas designated in the most recently updated TCAC/HCD Opportunity Maps, and disadvantaged communities pursuant to California Senate Bill 535 (2012).
(4) Policies that go beyond state law requirements in reducing displacement of lower income households and conserving existing housing stock that is affordable to lower income households.
(5) Rezoning and other policies that support high-density development in Location Efficient Communities.
(6) Rezoning and other policies that result in a net gain of housing capacity while concurrently mitigating development impacts on or from Environmentally Sensitive or Hazardous Areas.
(7) Zoning policies that increase housing choices and affordability in High Resource and Highest Resource areas, as designated in the most recently updated TCAC/HCD Opportunity Maps.
(8) Other policies that involve meaningful actions towards affirmatively furthering fair housing pursuant to Government Code section 8899.50, including, but not limited to, outreach campaigns, updated zoning codes, and expanded access to financing support.

Credits

Note: Authority cited: Section 65589.9, Government Code. Reference: Section 65589.9, Government Code.
History
1. Renumbering and amendment of former section 6606 to section 6606.1 filed 1-2-2024; operative 1-2-2024 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2024, No. 1).
This database is current through 5/3/24 Register 2024, No. 18.
Cal. Admin. Code tit. 25, § 6606.1, 25 CA ADC § 6606.1
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