As California continues to face a statewide housing shortage, every city is required by law to plan for future housing needs through a process called the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA). This state-mandated process occurs every 8 years and sets targets for how many new housing units—at all income levels—each city must plan for.

For our community, this means we must identify enough land that could accommodate the number of units assigned by the state. In order to meet this obligation, the City will need to rezone certain areas to allow for more housing, particularly multi-family housing or housing at higher densities.

The City recently adopted a “Residential Minimum Density Overlay” (RMDO) zone, which establishes a minimum density for housing developments on many of the parcels identified in the Housing Element “Inventory of Sites” to meet RHNA obligations. The RMDO zone allows the property owner to continue operating the existing use on the parcel or to construct housing at the determined density. Many sites were developed prior to the adoption of the RMDO zone with uses that do not help the City meet RHNA obligations, and must be replaced. Currently, staff is identifying parcels to make up for the loss of eligible RHNA sites and will soon present the sites to Planning Commission, City Council, and community members.

What Rezoning Means (and Doesn’t Mean)

Rezoning does not mean homes will be built immediately or without oversight. It simply means the land is legally eligible for future housing development. Property owners are not required to build high-density housing, and existing uses may continue without interruption. No buildings are required to be torn down or cease operations.

Any proposed projects will still go through a thorough public review and permitting process, ensuring community input and careful consideration every step of the way.

Why Is This Happening?

• It’s the Law: California law requires cities to update their Housing Element and demonstrate that enough land is available to meet RHNA housing targets.
• It Helps Us Plan Locally: Meeting these requirements keeps local land use decisions in local hands. Failure to comply can lead to state intervention and the loss of local control.
• It Supports Our Community: By planning for a mix of housing types, we help ensure that future generations—including teachers, first responders, young families, and seniors—can find a place to live here.

What Happens Next?

The City has developed a Housing Element that identifies how we plan to meet our RHNA targets. The next step is rezoning certain properties to align with that plan. This will occur through a public process, with opportunities for community input.

We’re committed to transparency and will keep residents informed every step of the way. You can view the City’s Housing Element here.

View sites that have been identified as Alternative RHNA Sites:

Alternative RHNA Sites - April 2025