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Title 17 — Zoning

Chapter 17.41.1 — AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Malibu Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-06 · Malibu

§ 17.41.1.010. Residential density bonus.

  • A. Purpose. This section is intended to implement the provisions of:

    1. State Government Code Sections 65915 through 65918 , which require a local jurisdiction to provide incentives for the production of affordable housing units; and

    2. The city's general plan housing element policies relating to the provision of affordable housing.

  • B. Eligibility. A density bonus may be granted to an eligible housing development in any residential district through approval of a use permit by the city council (after recommendation from the planning commission). In order to qualify for a density bonus or other financial incentives of equivalent value as specified in Government Code Section 65915 the developer of a housing development project shall agree to construct one of the following:

    1. At least 10% of the total units of a housing development for persons and families of lower income;

    2. At least five percent of the total units of a housing development for very low income households;

    3. A senior housing development; or

    4. At least 10% of the units in a common interest subdivision for persons and families of moderate income.

Only one density bonus up to a maximum of 35% shall be granted to each project regardless of the number of preceding qualifying commitments made by the developer.

  • C. General Provisions for Density Bonuses and Incentives/Concessions. As required by Government Code Section 65915 , the city of Malibu shall consider a density bonus and provide incentives or concessions for a housing development that shall be subject to the following provisions:

    1. Determination of Unit Count. When determining the percentage of housing units which are to be affordable, the density bonus units shall not be included.

    2. Minimum Project Size. A project must contain at least five dwelling units in order to be considered for a density bonus.

    3. Previous Density Bonuses. The density bonus provision shall not apply to any parcel or project area which has previously been granted increased density through a general plan amendment, zone change or other permit to facilitate affordable housing.

    4. Dispersal of Affordable Units. "Affordable" or "density bonus" units shall be generally dispersed throughout a development project and shall not differ in appearance from other units in the development.

    5. Regulatory Incentives. In accordance with Government Code Section 65915 , in addition to a density bonus the city shall grant at least one of the following regulatory concessions and/or incentives to ensure that the residential project will be developed at a reduced cost:

      • a. A reduction in the site development standards or a modification of zoning code requirements including, but not limited to, reduced minimum lot size or dimensions; or reduced minimum setbacks.
  • b. Approval of mixed-use development in conjunction with a multifamily residential project if commercial, office, industrial or other land uses will reduce the cost of the housing development and if the project will be compatible internally as well as with the existing or planned development in the area where the proposed project will be located.

    - c. Other regulatory incentives or concessions proposed by the developer or the city which result in identifiable cost reductions. 
    
  • D. Procedures. The procedures for implementing this section shall be as follows:

    1. Notification to Developer. The city shall, within 90 days of receipt of a written proposal to utilize a density bonus for affordable housing, notify the developer in writing of the procedures governing these provisions.

    2. Required Findings. In addition to the findings required for use permits generally, all of the following findings shall be made by the city council in approving any use permit granting a density bonus:

      • a. The number of units is compatible with the existing and planned infrastructure and service facilities serving the site;

      • b. The developer has demonstrated that the adjustment of standards is necessary to make the project economically feasible;

      • c. The proposed increased density is consistent with Section 30604(f) of the California Coastal Act, Government Code Section 65915 and Chapter 17.41.1 . of this title; and

      • d. The proposed project is compatible with the goals and policies of the general plan and purpose and intent of this code.

    3. Affordable Housing Agreement. Prior to the issuance of a building permit for any dwelling unit in a development for which "density bonus units" have been awarded or incentives been given, the developer shall submit documentation in accordance with Section 17.41.1.020 of this chapter.

  • E. Required Terms for Continued Availability of Affordable Units.

    1. Low and very-low income households. An applicant providing low and very-low income units in accordance with this chapter must continue to restrict those units to low or very-low income households for a minimum of 55 years or longer term under another regulator agreement from the date of initial occupancy.

    2. Moderate Income Households. In the case of a housing development providing moderate income units, the initial occupant of the unit must be a moderate income household.

      • a. Upon resale, the seller of the unit shall retain the value of any improvements, the down payment and the seller's proportionate share of appreciation. The local government shall recapture any initial subsidy and its proportionate share of appreciation; which shall be used within five years for any of the purposes described in subsection (e) of Section 33334.2 of the California Health and Safety Code that promote home ownership. Any recaptured funds shall be deposited into a housing trust account to be

used in accordance with subsection (e) of Section 33334.2 of the California Health and Safety Code.

(Ord. 449 § 8, 2019)

§ 17.41.1.020. Affordable housing agreement.

An applicant that chooses any option for satisfying the affordability requirements of this chapter shall enter into an affordable housing agreement ("agreement") with the city. The agreement shall be executed in a recordable form prior to the issuance of a building permit for any portion of a project including affordable units, subject to the requirements of this chapter.

  • A. The agreement shall:

    1. Provide a description of the project, how the affordable housing requirements will be met by the applicant, and whether the affordable units will be rented or owner-occupied;

    2. Identify the type, size and location of each affordable housing unit required hereunder;

    3. Identify the incentive(s) and/or concession(s) provided by the city (if any) for a density bonus;

    4. Identify limits on income, rent, and sales price of affordable units;

    5. Identify the term of the agreement, which would define the term of affordability of the required units;

    6. Require that the affordable housing units be constructed and completed by the applicant as specified in this chapter and in accordance with state law;

    7. Require that each affordable housing unit be kept available only to members of the identified income group at the maximum affordable rent during the term of the Agreement;

    8. Describe procedures for tenant selection and the process for qualifying prospective households for income eligibility;

    9. Identify provisions and/or documents for resale restrictions, deeds of trust, rights of first refusal for owner-occupied units, or restrictions for rental units;

    10. Include performance guarantees (e.g., a cash deposit, bond, or letter of credit) as required by the city; and

    11. Include provisions for the enforcement and penalties for violation of the agreement.

    12. Identify the means by which such continued availability shall be secured and enforced and the procedures under which the affordable housing units shall be leased and shall contain such other terms and provisions, the city may require.

  • B. The agreement, in its form and manner of execution, shall be in a form approved by the city attorney and able to be recorded with the Los Angeles county recorder. Additional rental or resale restrictions, deeds of trust, rights of first refusal and/or other documents shall also be recorded against owner-occupied affordable units.

  • C. The affordability of the required units shall be monitored for compliance by planning department staff. The planning director is hereby expressly authorized to act as the city's agent to enter into the agreement for the purpose of enforcing the terms of the agreement consistent with this chapter. The agreement shall include a provision for reimbursement of the city's costs of monitoring.

  • (Ord. 449 § 8, 2019)

§ 17.41.1.030. Affordable housing fund.

  • A. Fund Revenues. The fund shall receive all in-lieu fees paid under Section 17.41.1.010(E)(2) and may also receive moneys from other sources.

  • B. Purpose and Limitations. Affordable housing fund moneys shall be used in compliance with the general plan housing element and this chapter to construct, rehabilitate, or subsidize affordable housing or assist other governmental entities, private organizations or individuals to provide or preserve affordable housing. The fund may be used for the benefit of both rental and owneroccupied housing. Allowed uses of fund moneys include:

    1. Assistance to housing development corporations;

    2. Equity participation loans;

    3. Grants;

    4. Pre-home ownership co-investment;

    5. Predevelopment loan funds;

    6. Participation leases;

    7. Other public-private partnership arrangements;

    8. The acquisition of property and property rights;

    9. Construction of affordable housing including costs associated with planning, administration, and design, as well as actual building or installation;

    10. Costs of rehabilitation and maintenance of existing affordable housing when needed to preserve units that are at risk of going to a market rate or at risk of deterioration;

    11. Other costs associated with the construction or financing of affordable housing;

    12. Reasonable administrative charges or related expenses; and

    13. Reasonable consultant and legal expenses related to the establishment and/or administration of the fund.

  • (Ord. 449 § 8, 2019)

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Contents — Malibu Zoning Code
Malibu Zoning Code
  1. Title 17 — Zoning
    Overview
    1. Chapter 17.02 — INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS
    2. Chapter 17.04 — ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT
    3. Chapter 17.06 — ZONING DISTRICTS ESTABLISHED
    4. Chapter 17.08 — RR RURAL RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
    5. Chapter 17.10 — SF SINGLE FAMILY DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
    6. Chapter 17.12 — MF MULTIPLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
    7. Chapter 17.14 — MFBF MULTIFAMILY BEACH FRONT DISTRICT
    8. Chapter 17.16 — MH MOBILEHOME DISTRICT
    9. Chapter 17.18 — CR COMMERCIAL RECREATIONAL DISTRICT
    10. Chapter 17.20 — PD PLANNED DEVELOPMENT
    11. Chapter 17.22 — CN COMMERCIAL NEIGHBORHOOD DISTRICT
    12. Chapter 17.24 — CC COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL DISTRICT
    13. Chapter 17.26 — CV-1 COMMERCIAL VISITOR SERVING DISTRICT
    14. Chapter 17.28 — CV-2 COMMERCIAL VISITOR SERVING DISTRICT
    15. Chapter 17.30 — CG COMMERCIAL GENERAL DISTRICT
    16. Chapter 17.32 — OS PUBLIC OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
    17. Chapter 17.34 — I INSTITUTIONAL DISTRICT
    18. Chapter 17.36 — PRF PRIVATE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES DISTRICT
    19. Chapter 17.38 — RVP RECREATIONAL VEHICLE PARK
    20. Chapter 17.39 — MALIBU COAST ESTATE PLANNED DEVELOPMENT (PD) D…
    21. Chapter 17.40 — PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN STANDARDS
    22. Chapter 17.41 — MALIBU DARK SKY
    23. Chapter 17.41.1 — AFFORDABLE HOUSING
    24. Chapter 17.42 — CUSTOM DEVELOPMENT CRITERIA
    25. Chapter 17.43 — VIEW RESTORATION AND PRESERVATION FOR MALIBU C…
    26. Chapter 17.44 — ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS
    27. Chapter 17.45 — CITYWIDE VIEW PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION
    28. Chapter 17.46 — WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES
    29. Chapter 17.47 — RECREATION AND LEISURE STANDARDS FOR PARK AND …
    30. Chapter 17.48 — OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING REQUIREMENTS
    31. Chapter 17.49 — COVENANT OF EASEMENT
    32. Chapter 17.50 — TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT
    33. Chapter 17.52 — SIGNS
    34. Chapter 17.53 — LANDSCAPE WATER CONSERVATION AND FIRE PROTECTION
    35. Chapter 17.54 — CULTURAL RESOURCE PRESERVATION
    36. Chapter 17.55 — SHORT-TERM RENTAL OF PROPERTY
    37. Chapter 17.56 — HIGHWAY AND PARKWAY DEDICATION AND IMPROVEMENTS
    38. Chapter 17.58 — PARKLAND DEVELOPMENT FEE
    39. Chapter 17.59 — ART IN PUBLIC PLACES
    40. Chapter 17.60 — NONCONFORMING STRUCTURES AND USES
    41. Chapter 17.61 — FORMULA RETAIL CLEARANCE
    42. Chapter 17.62 — DEVELOPMENT PERMITS
    43. Chapter 17.63 — HOUSING ACCESSIBILITY—REQUEST FOR REASONABLE A…
    44. Chapter 17.64 — DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS
    45. Chapter 17.66 — CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS
    46. Chapter 17.68 — TEMPORARY USE PERMITS
    47. Chapter 17.70 — DEMOLITION PERMITS
    48. Chapter 17.72 — VARIANCES AND STRINGLINE MODIFICATIONS
    49. Chapter 17.74 — AMENDMENTS
    50. Chapter 17.75 — CANNABIS REGULATIONS

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