Introduction
The lack of affordable housing is consistently cited by community members as one of the major issues affecting San Rafael due to the very high housing costs throughout Marin County. This results in difficulty recruiting employees for local service jobs and workers having to commute long distances to jobs in San Rafael, congesting local highways. Young adults cannot return to their hometown to purchase or rent housing, and the elderly must relocate to less expensive areas for assisted living.
In addition to responding to the community’s need for affordable housing, the City must also comply with State law that mandates that local governments demonstrate adequate sites and zoning densities to accommodate an assigned number of housing units. For example, between 1999 and 2007, the State assigned San Rafael a total “housing needs allocation” of 2,090 units at various levels of affordability. The City’s Housing Element, contained in General Plan 2020, describes numerous sites and areas where additional residential development can occur. It also includes policies which encourage provision of affordable housing. The City’s Housing Element has been reviewed by a state agency and found in compliance with state law.
One means of obtaining additional affordable housing is by requiring new residential development to include affordable housing units, and for new job-producing commercial development to contribute financially to affordable housing programs. The City of San Rafael utilizes both techniques, which have resulted in creation of over 1000 deed-restricted affordable housing units.
What is required of new residential construction?
New rental and ownership residential developments of two units or more must meet the City’s Affordable Housing Ordinance, Section 14.16.030 of the Zoning Code
. A handout summarizing the ordinance is also available.
Number of Affordable Units Required for New Residential Development
|
# Units |
% Affordable Units |
Level of Affordability |
|
2-10 |
10% |
Ownership Projects: 50% affordable to low-income households and 50% to moderate-income households Rental Projects: 50% affordable to very-low income households and 50% to low-income households |
|
11-20 |
15% | |
|
20+ |
20% |
Units must be deed-restricted to be occupied by qualifying households based on their income level for at least 55 years. During the development review process, City staff work with applicants regarding unit selection, allowable sales prices or rental rates and required affordability covenants.
Persons desiring information on affordable ownership units should contact the Marin Housing Authority. For information on available affordable rental units, contact the Housing Assist Line at (415) 491-2345.
What is required of new non-residential (commercial, industrial, institutional) construction?
New construction which is 5,000 square feet or greater must provide affordable housing units or pay an “in-lieu” fee towards City housing programs.
Number of Affordable Units Required for New Nonresidential Development
|
Development Type |
Number of New Very low, Low and Moderate Income Units (per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area) |
|
Office or Research and Development uses |
0.03 |
|
Retail, Restaurant or Personal Service uses |
0.0225 |
|
Manufacturing or Light Industrial uses |
0.01625 |
|
Warehouse uses |
0.00875 |
|
Hotel or motel uses |
0.0075 |
The City’s in-lieu fee for affordable housing units is set annually by the City Council based on several factors, and was $250,000 per required affordable unit in 2007.