(a) When an applicant for approval of a commercial development has entered into an agreement for partnered housing described in subdivision (c) to contribute affordable housing through a joint project or two separate projects encompassing affordable housing, the city, county, or city and county shall grant to the commercial developer a development bonus as prescribed in subdivision (b). Housing shall be constructed on the site of the commercial development or on a site that is all of the following:
(1) Within the boundaries of the local government.
(2) In close proximity to public amenities including schools and employment centers.
(3) Located within one-half mile of a major transit stop, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 21155 of the Public Resources Code.
(b) The development bonus granted to the commercial developer shall mean incentives, mutually agreed upon by the developer and the jurisdiction, that may include, but are not limited to, any of the following:
(1) Up to a 20-percent increase in maximum allowable intensity in the General Plan.
(2) Up to a 20-percent increase in maximum allowable floor area ratio.
(3) Up to a 20-percent increase in maximum height requirements.
(4) Up to a 20-percent reduction in minimum parking requirements.
(5) Use of a limited-use/limited-application elevator for upper floor accessibility.
(6) An exception to a zoning ordinance or other land use regulation.
(c) For purposes of this section, the agreement for partnered housing shall be between the commercial developer and the housing developer, shall identify how the commercial developer will contribute affordable housing, and shall be approved by the city, county, or city and county.
(d) For purposes of this section, affordable housing may be contributed by the commercial developer in one of the following manners:
(1) The commercial developer may directly build the units.
(2) The commercial developer may donate a portion of the site or property elsewhere to the affordable housing developer for use as a site for affordable housing.
(3) The commercial developer may make a cash payment to the affordable housing developer that shall be used towards the costs of constructing the affordable housing project.
(e) For purposes of this section, subparagraph (A) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of Section 65915 shall apply.
(f) Nothing in this section shall preclude any additional allowances or incentives offered to developers by local governments pursuant to law or regulation.
(g) If the developer of the affordable units does not commence with construction of those units in accordance with timelines ascribed by the agreement described in subdivision (c), the local government may withhold certificates of occupancy for the commercial development under construction until the developer has completed construction of the affordable units.
(h) In order to qualify for a development bonus under this section, a commercial developer shall partner with a housing developer that provides at least 30 percent of the total units for low-income households or at least 15 percent of the total units for very low-income households.
(i) Nothing in this section shall preclude an affordable housing developer from seeking a density bonus, concessions or incentives, waivers or reductions of development standards, or parking ratios under Section 65915.
(j) A development bonus pursuant to this section shall not include a reduction or waiver of the requirements within an ordinance that requires the payment of a fee by a commercial developer for the promotion or provision of affordable housing.
(k) A city or county shall submit to the Department of Housing and Community Development, as part of the annual report required by Section 65400, information describing a commercial development bonus approved pursuant to this section, including the terms of the agreements between the commercial developer and the affordable housing developer, and the developers and the local jurisdiction, and the number of affordable units constructed as part of the agreements.
(l) For purposes of this section, “partner” means formation of a partnership, limited liability company, corporation, or other entity recognized by the state in which the commercial development applicant and the affordable housing developer are each partners, members, shareholders or other participants, or a contract or agreement between a commercial development applicant and affordable housing developer for the development of both the commercial and the affordable housing properties.
(m) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2028, and as of that date is repealed.
The Legislature finds and declares that the development of affordable housing is a matter of statewide concern and is not a municipal affair as that term is used in Section 5 of Article XI of the California Constitution. Therefore, Section 1 of this act adding Section 65915.7 to the Government Code applies to all cities, including charter cities.
SEC. 3. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because a local agency or school district has the authority to levy service charges, fees, or assessments sufficient to pay for the program or level of service mandated by this act, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code.
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