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Moreno Valley adopts omnibus municipal code changes to align with state housing laws
Summary
The City Council approved fall 2025 omnibus amendments to Titles 5 and 9 to comply with state housing and childcare laws, including a 'By Right Floating Housing Overlay' to streamline 100% affordable projects on commercial corridors and revisions affecting family day care rules.
Moreno Valley — The City Council on Dec. 2 moved forward with a package of municipal code changes aimed at bringing local regulations into compliance with recent state housing laws and Housing and Community Development (HCD) guidance.
Community Development Director Angelica Fraustalubo presented the fall 2025 omnibus amendments, which revise Title 5 (business regulations) and multiple chapters of Title 9 (planning and zoning). Key changes include modifications to the classification and ministerial review processes for family day care homes to align with SB 234, updated density-bonus provisions, streamlined ministerial approval pathways to implement SB 423 (formerly SB 35), and the introduction of an objective design standards section and a "By Right Floating Housing Overlay" intended for 100% affordable multifamily projects in designated commercial corridors.
Fraustalubo told the council the overlay complies with state directives and the city’s housing element; the law requires streamlined ministerial review for eligible projects and the adoption of objective standards. She explained the overlay is designed to allow 100% affordable projects to advance through staff-level ministerial approval if they meet the objective criteria and density limits (staff cited a maximum of 30 dwelling units per acre for the overlay).
Councilmembers asked staff to clarify the scope and consequences of the changes. City legal/administration staff warned that failure to adopt required ordinances can prompt HCD enforcement or decertification of the housing element and noted the state’s builder’s-remedy tools and potential fines for noncompliance.
Public speakers offered mixed views. Christopher Baca raised accusations that staff and developers favored certain projects and questioned MOUs and environmental review cost allocations; other residents urged streamlining daycare rules and supported measures to speed affordable housing delivery. Councilmembers emphasized childcare and affordable housing as priorities and commended staff for aligning local rules with state law.
By voice vote the council approved the item (Councilmembers Bernard, Gonzales and Mayor Pro Tem Santa Cruz voting yes). The ordinance numbers will be introduced in sequence and return to the council for formal adoption at a subsequent meeting.
