2020-2028 Housing Element Implementation

Project Updates

Near-Term Actions

Summary  

On March 12, 2024, the Board of Supervisors established the 2020-2028 Housing Element Implementation Framework and its nine key actions with the goal of achieving the State-mandated Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) for the unincorporated county.   

Since then, Implementation Phase 1 saw Board adoption of Actions 01, 02, 04, and 05.  Implementation Phase 2 is currently underway and Actions 07 and 08 are returning to the Board on April 21, 2026 for a study session. Further information about each Implementation Action can be found below.   

Please reach out to planner Claire Momberger ([email protected]) if you have any questions or comments related to the following Housing Element Implementation Actions.   

 

Implementation Phase 1 (Near Term Actions) 

Action 01 – Encourage Multi-Family Dwelling Development (LRP2024-00015) 
On September 23, 2025 the Board of Supervisors adopted ordinances and resolutions for amendments to the Land Use and Circulation Element of the County General Plan, Land Use Ordinances for the inland areas and Coastal Zone, and Local Coastal Program to update policies and regulations related to multi-family dwelling development. The amendments update the baseline regulations for multi-family dwellings to increase flexibility for housing development to better achieve the number of dwelling units per acre as envisioned in the General Plan, while protecting the use and enjoyment of neighboring properties. The County inland ordinance will be effective October 23, 2025 and the Coastal Zone land use ordinance is currently pending certification review with California Coastal Commission. 
 
The changes are summarized below: 

1. Requirement for ground floor commercial use if located (a) within Central Business District or (b) on parcels larger than 1 acre outside of Central Business District, unless 10% of total dwelling units are dedicated for very low- or low-income households;  

2. Removal of Interim Residential Use standard in the Land Use Ordinances, Section 22.30.490 and Section 23.08.162 and distance from Central Business District as a requirement for calculating development intensity level; 

3. Increase of allowable dwelling units per acre, maximum development floor area, height for multi family residential development, 

4. Reduced minimum off-street parking, setback and minimum open area required for multi-family residential projects; 

5. Reduce discretionary permitting thresholds and requirements. 

List of updated Multi-Family Dwelling land use ordinances
Action 1 - Adopted Ordinance Amending T22 (clean).pdf
Action 1 - Adopted Ordinance Amending Title 22 (Redline).pdf
Action 1 - Adopted Ordinance Amending Title 23 (Clean).pdf
Action 1 - Adopted Ordinance Amending Title 23 (Redline).pdf
Comparison Table for Actions 01 and 02_updated 2025-09-23.pdf

Action 02 – Regional Housing Incentive Program (LRP2024-00016 and -00017)
On October 21, 2025, the Board of Supervisors established regulations for the Regional Housing Incentives and a new County Code Title 31 – Regional Housing Fund. 

Action 02 - T22 Incentive Program (Clean).pdf
Action 02 - T22 Incentive Program (Redline).pdf
Action 02 - T31 Regional Housing Fund.pdf

Action 04 – Encourage Accessory Dwellings (LRP2024-00013) and

Action 05 – Expand Density Bonus Program (LRP2024-00014)

On June 3, 2025, the Board of Supervisors adopted updated regulations relating to accessory dwellings, urban dwellings and urban lot splits. Click on the links below for more information.

• Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
• Urban Dwellings
• Urban Lot Splits

 

Implementation Phase 2 (Long Term Actions) 

Action 06 – Nipomo Community Plan Update (LRP2024-00007)

See project updates at: https://www.slocounty.ca.gov/departments/planning-building/grid-items/active-projects/nipomo-update

Action 07 – Streamline Housing Permitting (LRP2025-00006) and 

Action 08 – Expand Housing Opportunity Areas (LRP2025-00008)  

On November 4th, 2025 Implementation Phase 2 (Actions 7 and 8) were introduced to the Board of Supervisors. Action 7 aims to expand on the Regional Housing Incentive Program adding ministerial permitting (staff level review and approval) for housing projects that meet specific eligibility criteria and regulations. Action 8 aims to “rezone” areas to allow for greater housing development opportunities, which would increase access to the Regional Housing Incentive Program. The Board provided direction for a study session to further discuss planning concepts and data. 

Board Study Session on April 21st, 2026 to explore topics relevant to Implementation Phase 2 and to provide direction on project scoping, with no final action to be taken. 

Implementation Phase 2 Actions 7 and 8 are unified with “Placemaking” as a priority. The study session will focus on community engagement scoping to better understand needs of current and future residents and workers and the places that allow them to thrive by considering: Geographical Study Areas, Level of Community Design Engagement, and Straightforward Permitting Pathways. 

Geographical Study Areas:  

Purpose: To identify community-serving uses in development-viable areas of the unincorporated county that provide or can provide jobs, essential infrastructure, and services (e.g. water, wastewater, road capacity, grocery stores, medical services, etc.) for new housing opportunities 

• Study Area Approach 1 “Key Service Areas”: Identifies areas in six unincorporated communities (San Miguel, Templeton, Nipomo, Cayucos, Avila Beach, and Oceano) for increased housing opportunities through “rezoning” 

• Study Area Approach 2 “Key Service Areas and Opportunity Areas”: Builds on Approach 1 by additionally identifying opportunity areas on the periphery Urban Reserve Lines (URL) of three communities (San Miguel, Templeton, and Nipomo) that could support more housing 

Level of Community Design Engagement:  

Purpose: To form community-driven design standards by receiving community input on topics such as site planning, scaling and massing, building materials and colors, architectural features, and public/communal spaces 

• Engagement Approach 1 “Regional Approach”: Would work towards regional design standards for three geographical regions by compiling and updating common design elements from communities: North County, South County, and Coastal County 

• Engagement Approach 2 “Community-Specific Approach”: Would work towards community-specific design standards for the unincorporated communities, using the design elements from individual communities 

Straightforward Permitting Pathways:  

Purpose: For housing projects that participate in the Regional Housing Incentive Program, to determine the scale of development that could be eligible for a ministerial-level permitting incentive, how the project looks, and where in the unincorporated county such projects could come to be 

• Straightforward Permitting Pathway Approach 1: 50-100 Dwelling Unit Projects 

• Straightforward Permitting Pathway Approach 2: 100-150 Dwelling Unit Projects 

• Straightforward Permitting Pathway Approach 3: 150-200 Dwelling Unit Projects 

 

Community members are encouraged to attend the study session on April 21, 2026 to give their input on the community engagement scoping and to learn more about the County’s next steps towards meeting the goals of the 2020-2028 Housing Element 

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