Inclusionary Housing Ordinance and Program Development
POD 20-007
Project Contact: PDS.LongRangePlanning@sdcounty.ca.gov | (858) 505-6677
Please subscribe here to be informed of all future outreach events and to receive updates related to this project.
June 24, 2026 Update
On June 24, 2026, the Board of Supervisors adopted the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance which requires some new housing developments to include some affordable housing. Housing development projects submitted to the County after October 21, 2026 will be subject to the ordinance requirements. Application materials for housing development projects will be available prior to the ordinance going into effect in October. To be informed when these materials are available, subscribe here.
Overview
The County of San Diego Planning & Development Services Department (PDS) conducted an Inclusionary Housing Study and Ordinance Development. The purpose of this project was to assess feasible options for requiring housing projects to provide affordable housing, and develop an Inclusionary Housing Ordinance that addresses the County’s housing needs. The overall goal is to expand the supply of affordable housing for households of lower- and moderate-income.
-
Past Public Hearings
Board of Supervisors Hearing: June 24, 2026
On June 24, 2026 the San Diego County (County) Board of Supervisors (Board) heard and adopted amendments to the Zoning Ordinance to adopt an Inclusionary Housing Ordinance which would apply to new housing development in the unincorporated areas of the County.
Board of Supervisors Hearing: August 28, 2024
On August 28, 2024 the San Diego County (County) Board of Supervisors (Board) heard and considered proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance to adopt an Inclusionary Housing Ordinance which would apply to new housing development in the unincorporated areas of the County. The Board of Supervisors directed staff to return following presentations on the Development Feasibility Analysis (DFA) and Vehicle Miles Travelled (VMT) with options that include the following considerations:
- Ensure overall housing production is not negatively impacted.
- Align with state density bonus law.
- Include considerations for phasing-in the program to allow time for land values to adjust to the program.
- Continue to Engage with experts and community.
- Provide inclusionary housing production estimates for each of these options, including middle income home ownership.
- Development incentives that include infrastructure that can be provided in Option 3 to maximize units in the VMT Efficient and Infill areas, concurrent with the Development Feasibility Analysis for these areas.
- Off-site development should be within a radius of 3 miles or the vicinity of the community planning area.
Planning Commission Hearing: April 19, 2024
On April 19, 2024 the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance was presented at the Planning Commission Hearing. The Commission voted 3-1 to recommend that the Board of Supervisors defer the consideration of the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance until after the Vehicle Miles Traveled Policy is adopted in the County. The staff presentation and Planning Commission Report are both available online.
Planning Commission Workshop: March 24, 2023
Staff held a workshop with the Planning Commission to discuss the Draft Inclusionary Housing Ordinance and Criteria Options. This meeting provided an opportunity for the Planning Commission and the public to review and give additional input on the program components, including items such as the proportion and affordability level of the required affordable units, as well as alternative compliance options such as in-lieu fees, land donations, and allowing offsite affordable housing development. The input received will be used to refine the Draft Ordinance and Criteria options which will be presented to the Planning Commission and Board at a future hearing. For additional information, please visit the Planning Commission website.
Public Review: January 20, 2023 to March 7, 2023
The Draft Inclusionary Housing Ordinance (Draft Ordinance) was made available for public review for a 45-day period from January 20, 2023, until March 7, 2023.
Board of Supervisors Hearing: August 31, 2021
On August 31, 2021 (7), the Board added to this direction and requested that staff also evaluate and identify options to for the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance to capture value tied to significant upzonings as a part of GPAs.
Board of Supervisors Hearing: February 10, 2021
On February 10, 2021 (4), staff presented the results of the economic analysis (Phase I). During this meeting, the Board directed staff to staff to develop an Inclusionary Ordinance with predetermined set-aside applicable to all housing projects of all sizes above a minimum threshold. Inclusionary Housing Study Phase I – February 10, 2021 (4):
Phase I Inclusionary Housing Study
Board of Supervisors Hearing: October 10, 2018
With rising housing costs and increasing numbers of San Diegans spending more than thirty percent of their income on housing, in 2018, the Board directed staff to investigate options to further promote the expedient building of homes in the unincorporated area. On October 10, 2018 (2), the Board directed staff to prepare an economic analysis and criteria and return to the Board for consideration for a GPA Affordable Housing Program and a GPA Inclusionary Ordinance.
Report on Options to Improve Housing Affordability in the Unincorporated Area (Report)
Popular Services
