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Monrovia reports 74% of RHNA target met; staff flags SB79 and objective-design work ahead
Summary
Community Development Director Sherry Burmejo told the council Monrovia issued 1,228 building permits toward a RHNA target of 1,670 units (about 74% complete) and noted strong above-moderate production and ongoing shortfalls in lower-income categories; staff recommended objective design standards and further ordinance work ahead of SB79 taking effect July 1, 2026.
Community Development Director Sherry Burmejo presented the city's 2025 Annual Report on the Status of the General Plan to the Monrovia City Council on March 17. The report focuses on housing production and compliance with the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) for the 2021–2029 cycle. Burmejo said Monrovia has issued building permits for 1,228 units against a RHNA target of 1,670 units — approximately 74% of the target — with about three and a half years remaining in the cycle.
The director said Monrovia has notably overachieved in the above-moderate category (about 183% of that target) while continuing to lag in very low-, low- and moderate-income categories. Burmejo highlighted that recent permit activity included a large contribution from entitlement approvals for Station Square and that 2025 permit issuance was driven primarily by accessory dwelling units (ADUs): 58 ADU permits were issued in 2025 and 56 certificates of occupancy were recorded. She noted some large projects remain in the pipeline (Station Square South, 127 Pomona) and staff expect additional permit issuances later in 2026.
Burmejo also outlined upcoming work items: implementing no-net-loss provisions required by the housing element, continuing to track and evaluate the recently adopted inclusionary housing ordinance, and preparing for the operative date of SB79 (July 1, 2026). Because SB79 changes allowable densities and height in transit areas, staff recommended the council consider adopting objective design standards for transit areas and citywide multifamily development to preserve design expectations and mitigate unwanted outcomes.
Council members asked clarifying questions about SCAG mapping, project timelines, and permit-to-occupancy conversion rates. Burmejo said staff will return with implementation strategies and ordinance updates, and the council voted to receive and file the report that evening.
The takeaways: Monrovia is on track to meet much of its RHNA target primarily due to above-moderate permits and pipeline entitlements, but the city still needs targeted production for lower-income categories and will bring ordinance and implementation work to council to meet state requirements and respond to SB79.
