A California appeals court ruled that developers who include affordable housing in their projects are exempt from many local limits on height, zoning, and density.
California's 1979 Density Bonus Law requires local governments to grant permits and waive some development standards for builders who provide certain levels of low-income housing in their projects, the court ruled. There are exceptions to the law for threats to public health or safety, harm to a historic resource, or conflicts with state or federal laws.
The case stemmed from local opposition to a 20-story mixed-use project being built near Balboa Park in San Diego. The city approved a plan for a building more than 25% higher than local development standards allow after the developer promised to make 18 of 204 units affordable.
If the case is not appealed to California’s Supreme Court, trial courts across the state would have to adhere to the ruling.
Related Stories
Government Buildings | Aug 14, 2024
GSA releases updated standards to move federal buildings toward zero emissions
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) recently released updated building efficiency standards for federal buildings. The mandatory design and construction standards and performance criteria apply to 300,000 federal buildings.
MFPRO+ News | Aug 14, 2024
Report outlines how Atlanta can collaborate with private sector to spur more housing construction
A report by an Urban Land Institute’s Advisory Services panel, commissioned by the city’s housing authority, Atlanta Housing (AH), offered ways the city could collaborate with developers to spur more housing construction.
Energy Efficiency | Aug 9, 2024
Artificial intelligence could help reduce energy consumption by as much as 40% by 2050
Artificial intelligence could help U.S. buildings to significantly reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, according to a paper by researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
Products and Materials | Aug 8, 2024
EPA issues $160 million in grants for clean manufacturing of steel, other construction materials
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will provide 38 grant recipients with nearly $160 million to support efforts to report and reduce climate pollution from the manufacturing of construction materials and products.
Green | Aug 7, 2024
Major cities worldwide set building performance standards
Cities around the world are setting building performance standards (BPS) as a key measure to cut emissions and meet climate targets, according to a report from JLL.
Codes and Standards | Aug 6, 2024
New tool helps with selection, installation of heat pump water heaters
A new web-based tool by the Department of Energy offers comprehensive information about how to size, select, and install electric heat pump water heaters (HPWHs).
Regulations | Aug 4, 2024
Diversity rules largely ignored on Boston construction projects
Not a single construction project in Boston over the past four years has met all the rules intended to diversify the construction industry and increase the number of city residents working on construction sites, according to a report in the Boston Globe.
MFPRO+ News | Aug 1, 2024
Canada tries massive incentive program to spur new multifamily housing construction
Canada has taken the unprecedented step of offering billions in infrastructure funds to communities in return for eliminating single-family housing zoning.
MFPRO+ New Projects | Jul 31, 2024
Shipping containers converted into attractive, affordable multifamily housing in L.A.
In the Watts neighborhood in Los Angeles, a new affordable multifamily housing project using shipping containers resulted in 24 micro-units for formerly unhoused residents. The containers were acquired from a nearby port and converted into housing units at a factory.
Geothermal Technology | Jul 29, 2024
Rochester, Minn., plans extensive geothermal network
The city of Rochester, Minn., home of the famed Mayo Clinic, is going big on geothermal networks. The city is constructing Thermal Energy Networks (TENs) that consist of ambient pipe loops connecting multiple buildings and delivering thermal heating and cooling energy via water-source heat pumps.
