General Plan and Zoning Consistency Standard

Government Code, § 65589.5, subdivision (j)(4)

For various reasons, there is at times inconsistency between standards in a general plan and zoning standards. For example, a local government may have amended the general plan, but

7 Please note pursuant to Government Code § 65915, subd. (f) a receipt of a density bonus does not require an increase in density. An applicant can elect to ask for just the concessions, incentives, and waivers that the project qualifies for under State Density Bonus Law.

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Housing Accountability Act Technical Assistance Advisory

Key Provisions of the Housing Accountability Act

has not yet amended all of its municipal ordinances to assure vertical consistency[8] . Recognizing this, the HAA clarifies that if the zoning standards and criteria are inconsistent with applicable, objective general plan standards, but the development project is consistent with the applicable objective general plan standards for the site, then the housing development project cannot be found inconsistent with the standards and criteria of the zoning. Further, if such an inconsistency exists, the local agency may not require rezoning prior to housing development project approval.

However, the local agency may require the proposed housing development project to comply with the objective standards and criteria contained elsewhere in the zoning code that are consistent with the general plan designation. For example, if a site has a general plan land use designation of high density residential, but the site is zoned industrial, then a local government can require the project to comply with objective development standards in zoning districts that are consistent with the high density residential designation, such as a multifamily high density residential zone.

However, under the HAA, the standards and criteria determined to apply to the project must facilitate and accommodate development at the density allowed the general plan on the project site and as proposed by the housing development project.