Inclusionary Housing

The city addresses inclusionary housing in the Affordable Housing chapter of its zoning code (§18.155.010 et seq.). The ordinance begins with a detailed findings section that references the city’s general plan, housing goals, and regional affordable housing share requirements; it also provides definitions. Affordable units may be different from market rate units but must be comparable and dispersed throughout the project. 

Residential project applications must include an affordable housing plan, and an affordable housing agreement must be recorded if affordable units are to be constructed. The code requires a 30-year affordability period and addresses pricing for affordable ownership units.

Alternative compliance options for for-sale projects include voluntary provision of rental units, off-site construction of affordable units, property dedication, purchase and conversion to affordable units of existing market-rate units, preservation of affordable units at risk of loss, or construction of units for lower income levels. Alternative compliance options for rental projects include construction of units or payment of affordable housing fee. The code describes how to establish affordable housing fees.

The city also provides for the voluntary provision of affordable units in exchange for density bonuses (§18.165.010 et seq.). A 20 percent density bonus is provided for projects that offer 10 percent of units affordable to lower-income households, five percent of units affordable to very-low-income households, or that are senior citizen housing developments. The bonus increases to a maximum of 35 percent for the provision of additional affordable units.