Step 7: Environmental Constraints

Government Code section 65583.2(b)(4)

Provide in the analysis a general description of any known environmental or other features (e.g., presence of floodplains, protected wetlands, oak tree preserves, very high fire hazard severity zones) that have the potential to impact the development viability of the identified sites. The housing element need only describe those environmental constraints where documentation of such conditions is available to the local government. This analysis must demonstrate that the existence of these features will not preclude development of the sites identified in the planning period at the projected residential densities/capacities. This information need not be identified on a site-specific basis. However, local governments will find it beneficial to describe site specific environmental conditions when demonstrating site suitability and realistic buildout capacity of each site, as these types of impediments to building must be considered when determining how many residential units can be developed on the site.