Hayward council approves zoning text changes to implement 2023–31 housing element, including rules for supportive housing and safe parking

The Hayward City Council on Jan. 21 unanimously approved zoning text amendments to implement portions of the Hayward 2023–2031 housing element, adopting a resolution and introducing an ordinance to revise Chapter 10 of the Hayward Municipal Code. The changes are intended to authorize and regulate supportive housing types, safe parking operations, SRO-style units and related development standards.

Taylor Rashad, an associate planner in the city’s development services division, told the council the amendments reflect a year of background research, stakeholder engagement and comments from the California Department of Housing and Community Development. "These amendments will help the city fulfill several actions within the housing element," Rashad said, adding that HCD reviewed the draft and provided minor comments that were incorporated.

The ordinance text updates multiple definitions (including permitted uses, dwelling unit, emergency shelter and "homeless" to align with HUD), clarifies that emergency shelters serve individuals experiencing homelessness, and explicitly allows individuals to sleep within their vehicles under the safe‑parking definition. Staff added short‑term…