Sacramento County adopts housing element amendment and use‑by‑right zoning update to meet state requirements
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Summary
The Board adopted Housing Element Amendment 1 and a zoning code update that incorporates the state's "use by right" definition and documents the countywide rezone program; staff says rezones add capacity for thousands of lower‑income units and will be submitted to HCD for recertification.
The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 24 adopted Housing Element Amendment 1 and a related zoning code amendment to formally incorporate the state's "use by right" definition and document a countywide rezone program intended to meet the county's Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) obligations.
Joelle Lindman, principal planner with Planning and Environmental Review, told the board the amendment does not request new rezonings today but formalizes work completed under Programs A‑1 and A‑2. Staff said the county rezoned 74 sites — 59 sites for lower‑income capacity and 15 for moderate income — and estimated a realistic development capacity of 4,803 lower‑income units, providing a 22.5% buffer above the identified shortfall.
Lindman said the zoning code change integrates the state's statutory definition of "use by right," which applies to qualifying affordable projects that provide at least 20% lower‑income units and otherwise meet objective development standards. The county coordinated with the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) through three rounds of technical assistance; staff said HCD had reviewed the package and the county expects HCD recertification after submittal, likely in early March.
Board members asked procedural and policy questions about how the rezone inventory was compiled and how the county will continue to speed up permitting for affordable projects. Lindman pointed to existing programs that expedite affordable housing entitlements and noted the amendment documents parcel‑level suitability, infrastructure availability and an affirmatively furthering fair housing analysis.
Supervisor Bill Serna moved to approve the amendments and submit the package to HCD; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously 5‑0. Board members stressed the importance of continued monitoring, transparency and follow‑through to ensure the rezoned sites are ready for development and that the county meets its equitable distribution goals.
Next steps: staff will submit the adopted amendment and zoning code change to HCD for final review and recertification. The board also directed staff to return with potential policy options for how the county coordinates with CPACs and other advisory bodies on housing projects.