Density bonus

California's Density Bonus Law lets a housing project build more units than zoning would otherwise allow when it sets aside a share of homes as affordable, or serves seniors, students or other groups. The bonus scales with the share and depth of affordability.

Qualifying projects can also ask for incentives or concessions (such as reduced setbacks or parking) and waivers of standards that would physically prevent the project. Cities must grant them unless they can make specific findings, which is why staff reports on these projects often explain the limits on the city's discretion.