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Government Code Section 65583(a)(3) requires local governments to prepare an inventory of land suitable for residential development, including vacant sites and sites having the potential for redevelopment, and an analysis of the relationship of zoning and public facilities and services to these sites. The inventory of land suitable for residential development shall be used to identify sites that can be developed for housing within the planning period.

Inventory of Land Suitable for Residential Development

The land inventory must identify specific sites suitable for the development of housing within the planning period and that are sufficient to accommodate the jurisdictions share of the regional housing need for all income levels. Land suitable for residential development includes vacant sites zoned for residential use, vacant sites zoned for nonresidential use that allow residential development, underutilized residential sites capable of being developed at a higher density, and sites zoned for nonresidential use that can be redeveloped for, and as necessary, rezoned for, residential use. Learn more.

Analysis of Sites and Zoning

To analyze the suitability of identified sites, the element must include an estimate of realistic capacity, demonstrate zoning and densities which encourage and facilitate the development of housing for lower-income households, and demonstrate non-vacant sites identified to accommodate the jurisdictions’ regional housing need can be realistically developed within the planning period. The analysis must also analyze the suitability of the sites relative to environmental conditions or issues, and include a general description of the public infrastructure necessary to serve housing development. Learn more.

Zoning for a Variety of Housing Types

A housing element must demonstrate the availability of sites, with appropriate zoning, to encourage and facilitate a variety of housing types, including multifamily rental housing, factory-built housing, mobilehomes, housing for agricultural employees, supportive housing, single-room occupancy units, emergency shelters and transitional housing. Learn more.

Second Units

In addition to identifying vacant or underutilized land resources, local governments can address a portion of their adequate sites requirement through the provision of second units based on the number of factors including the number of second units developed in the prior planning period, community need and resources and/or incentives available that will encourage the development. Learn more.

Adequate Sites Alternative

In addition to identifying vacant or underutilized land resources, local governments can address up to 25 percent of their adequate sites requirement, under prescribed conditions, units that are substantially rehabilitated, converted from market-rate to affordable, or where the affordability of certain multifamily housing units are preserved. Learn more.

Opportunities for Energy Conservation

The element must analyze the opportunities for energy conservation with respect to residential development. This section of the element provides an important resource for local governments to identify housing and land-use strategies that will not only address critical housing needs but also contribute to green house gas emission reductions and energy conservation goals. Learn more.