Skip to content

Half Moon Bay · Building on your lot

Affordable units in new housing (inclusionary) in Half Moon Bay

Half Moon Bay's own rules on affordable units in new housing (inclusionary), with the code text for every value.

Ask about affordable units in new housing (inclusionary) in Half Moon Bay See coverage

Each rule below links to the section of the Half Moon Bay Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Half Moon Bay's code says

Half Moon Bay code What Half Moon Bay's code adds
Fee instead of units
  • The fee is 20% of the building permit valuation of the market rate units.
    Applies: Applies when the applicant requests relief from building below market rate units and the city council approves.
    § 18.35.045 · code text
    Where an applicant requests relief from the requirement to construct below market rate units as required by this chapter, the city council may approve a contribution to the city's affordable housing fund of an amount equal to twenty percent of the building permit valuation for the market rate units.
  • The fee is 20% of the building permit valuation of the market rate units.
    Applies: Applies only when the formula leaves a fraction of a below market rate unit under one-half; the city council must approve.
    § 18.35.020 · code text
    In those cases where strict adherence to the formula provided herein results in a fraction between one one-hundredth and forty-nine one-hundredths of a below market rate dwelling unit, the city council may approve a pro rata contribution to the affordable housing fund an amount equal to twenty percent of the building permit valuation for the market rate units to be built.
Projects it applies to
  • Applies to 10 or more lots or units in a new subdivision, or 10 or more condo conversion units.
    § 18.35.020 · code text
    This section applies to all new residential subdivisions of ten or more lots or dwelling units and condominium conversion projects of ten or more units approved in the city after the date of adoption.
Share of affordable units
  • At least 20% of units must be affordable to low and moderate income households.
    Applies: Applies to new residential subdivisions of 10 or more lots or units and condominium conversions of 10 or more units.
    § 18.35.020 · code text
    A minimum of twenty percent of the total number of dwelling units in all developments of ten or more units shall be priced at levels which are affordable to low and moderate income households as defined in this chapter and in the housing element.
  • 7% of total units go to moderate income households.
    Applies: A target to the extent practical and feasible; the planning commission and city council may modify it.
    § 18.35.020 · code text
    Moderate Income | 7 percent of total
  • 7% of total units go to low income households.
    Applies: A target to the extent practical and feasible; the planning commission and city council may modify it.
    § 18.35.020 · code text
    Low Income | 7 percent of total
  • 6% of total units go to very low income households.
    Applies: A target to the extent practical and feasible; the planning commission and city council may modify it.
    § 18.35.020 · code text
    Very Low Income | 6 percent of total
  • 25% of all below market rate units go to very low and low income households.
    Applies: This is 25% of the 20% required.
    § 18.35.020 · code text
    At least twenty-five percent of all below market rate units (twenty-five percent of the twenty percent required) shall be priced at levels which are affordable to very low and low income households as defined in this chapter and the housing element.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Does Half Moon Bay require affordable units in new housing?

Half Moon Bay's code: The fee is 20% of the building permit valuation of the market rate units. (Applies when the applicant requests relief from building below market rate units and the city council approves.) (§ 18.35.045); The fee is 20% of the building permit valuation of the market rate units. (Applies only when the formula leaves a fraction of a below market rate unit under one-half; the city council must approve.) (§ 18.35.020).

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Half Moon Bay property

Ask GoCodebook how Half Moon Bay's affordable units in new housing (inclusionary) rules apply to your situation and get an answer that cites the section.

Ask your question

More on building on your lot in Half Moon Bay

All building on your lot rules in Half Moon Bay

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Half Moon Bay

RV and boat parking in Half Moon Bay

Parking spaces required for homes in Half Moon Bay

Home alarm permits and false alarms in Half Moon Bay

Trash and recycling carts in Half Moon Bay

Half Moon Bay Municipal Code — full text