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Goals, Policies, and Programs
(Return to the Housing Element page.)
Housing Goals
The 2021-2029 Housing Element includes 7 goals, 58 policies and 49 implementation programs. One of the goals (Goal C) is new, and 23 of the policies and 28 of the programs are new and were not included in the 2013-2021 Housing Element. These are the seven Housing Element goals:
- Goal A: New Residential Construction
- Goal B: Affordable Housing
- Goal C: Innovative Housing Types
- Goal D: Preserving Existing Housing Stock
- Goal E: Housing in the Tahoe Basin
- Goal F: Special Needs
- Goal G: Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing
The County has created the following policies and programs in order to achieve each goal. View Chapter 5 of the Housing Element for more information on the Goals, Policies, and Programs. To view updated information on the status of each Housing Program see the Housing Element Implementation page.
Goal A: New Residential Construction
To provide new housing opportunities to meet the needs of existing and future Placer County residents in all income categories.
| Goal A: Policies | |
| HE-A-1 | Maintain Adequate Sites. The County shall maintain an adequate supply of appropriately zoned land with public services to accommodate housing needs of existing and future residents. [Source: County of Placer 2013 Housing Element, Goal A, Policy A-1] |
| HE-A-2 | Streamline Development. The County shall continue efforts to streamline and improve the development review process based on objective design standards, and to eliminate any unnecessary delays in the processing of development applications. [Source: County of Placer 2013 Housing Element, Goal A, Policy A-3] |
| HE-A-3 | Remove Barriers. The County shall strive to remove barriers to new housing production including advancing adaptive policies, regulations, and procedures, as well as addressing market constraints as admissible. [Source: New policy, Staff] |
| HE-A-4 | Encourage Innovative Design and Variety of Housing. The County shall encourage innovative subdivision design and a range of housing types within larger-scale development projects to encourage mixed-income communities (e.g., single-family detached homes, accessory dwelling units, duplexes/triplexes, live-work units, multifamily housing). [Source: County of Placer 2013 Housing Element, Goal A, Policy A-4] |
| HE-A-5 | Infill Development. The County shall promote and maintain balanced growth by encouraging compatible residential development on infill sites within established communities where urban services are in place. [Source: New policy based on County staff notes on Housing Element Policies] |
| HE-A-6 | Facilitate Multifamily Development. The County shall facilitate the development of higher-density multifamily development in locations where adequate infrastructure and public services are available by permitting residential uses in commercial zones, allowing flexible development standards, and providing other incentives. [Source: County of Placer 2013 Housing Element, Goal A, Policy A-5] |
| HE-A-7 | Track No Net Loss Zoning. The County shall make findings related to the potential impact on the County’s ability to meet its share of the regional housing need when approving applications to rezone residentially designated properties or develop a residential site with fewer units or at a higher income than what is assumed for the site in the Housing Element sites inventory, consistent with “no-net-loss” zoning requirements in Government Code Section 65863. [Source: New policy, Staff] |
| HE-A-8 | Airport Land Use Compatibility. Residential projects proposed within Airport Land Use Compatibility Zones shall conform to the criteria set forth in the Placer County Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan (2014). [Source: New policy based on input from the Placer County Airport Land Use Commission] |
| Goal A: Programs |
| HE-1 Rezone to Meet the RHNA: The County shall establish and implement a Housing Opportunity Overlay Zone to accommodate the remaining RHNA of 1,107 lower-income units for the 2021-2029 RHNA projection period by May 15, 2024. The Housing Opportunity Overlay Zone will be applied to at least 55.3 acres and will establish a minimum density of 20 units per acre and maximum density of 30 units per acre. Full description of the program (page 145). |
| HE-2 Housing Opportunity Sites: The County shall maintain an inventory of potential sites for mixed-use and multifamily residential development in commercial and multifamily zones and promote the inventory and incentives to the development community and property owners using promotional materials such as brochures, fliers, website postings, and/or electronic mailings. Additionally, the County will promote mixed use development by allowing residential uses by-right in commercial zones subject to objective design standards as set forth in the Housing Accountability Act. |
| HE-3 Minimum Density Standard: The County shall adopt a zoning ordinance amendment to set a minimum density standard for single-family homes in the Multi-Family Residential (RM) zoning district, and prohibit the development of single-family homes in the zoning district unless built to the new minimum density to address the loss of multi-family sites to single-family construction. |
| HE-4 Zoning Standards for Multifamily Development: The County shall amend the zoning code to allow multifamily developments, regardless of size, by zoning clearance in the multifamily, mixed use, and commercial districts, and amend the zoning code to increase the building height limit and remove lot coverage requirements to encourage multifamily developments. |
| HE-5 Objective Design Standards: The County shall review and update policies and requirements of the Placer County Design Guidelines Manual, Landscape Design Guidelines, and community design elements of the various community plans to ensure development standards are objective. The County shall only deny a development project based on development standards if such standards are objective, quantifiable, written development standards, conditions, and policies. Additionally, the County will establish a written policy or procedure and other guidance as appropriate to specify the Senate Bill 35 streamlining approval process and standards for eligible projects, as set forth under California Government Code Section 65913.4. |
| HE-6 Subdivision Standards: The County shall review and update subdivision standards to reflect best practices for neighborhood design and reduce barriers to development. |
| HE-7 Standards for Infill Development: The County shall amend the Placer County Design Guidelines Manual to include objective standards for multifamily residential and mixed-use infill development in established communities to incentivize investment in these areas while supporting compatibility between new and existing development. |
| HE-8 Incentives for Infill Development: The County shall develop an infill program to incentivize development in areas that maximize fiscal productivity and align with County sustainability goals, including the reduction of vehicle miles traveled. The program shall create incentives for residential and mixed-use infill development. Full description of the program (page 147). |
| HE-9 Expand Public Water and Sewer Capacity for Housing: The County shall work with community service districts to identify and overcome constraints to providing water and sewer service for housing, prioritizing improvements for lower-income housing on candidate rezone sites and in low resource areas to further place-based revitalization efforts. The County shall apply for funding from the Community Development Block Grant, Infill Infrastructure Grant Program, or other funding programs, as available, to fund design plans and infrastructure improvements for affordable housing. |
| HE-10 Prioritize Infrastructure Improvements for Affordable Housing: The County shall adopt policies and procedures to grant priority to projects that meet the County’s regional need for lower-income housing. The County shall provide copies of the adopted housing element to all sewer and water providers. |
| HE-11 Sewer Infrastructure Planning in North Auburn: The County shall perform sewer studies and develop plans to accommodate increased sewer flows associated with sites identified for potential lower-income housing in North Auburn. The sewer infrastructure planning work shall include sewer studies, a preliminary design report, and final sewer design plans, which include preparation of plans and specifications suitable for bidding. |
| HE-12 Construction Labor Force: The County shall collaborate with local community colleges, trade school programs, and contractors to promote construction trade training programs (e.g., Sierra College Bootcamp). The County shall also engage with the construction community to attract workers beyond the traditional labor force (e.g., students, veterans, formerly incarcerated individuals, women). |
| HE-13 County Fee Structure: The County shall adopt a tiered residential development fee program that reflects unit size, type, and location in recognition of the different impacts that various types of residential development have on County services and infrastructure costs. |
Goal B: Affordable Housing
To encourage construction, maintenance, improvement, and preservation of safe, decent, and sound affordable housing in the County.
| Policies | |
| HE-B-1 | Workforce Housing. The County shall facilitate expanded housing opportunities that are affordable to the workforce of Placer County. [Source: County of Placer 2013 Housing Element, Goal B, Policy B-7] |
| HE-B-2 | County-Owned Surplus Lands. The County shall facilitate the construction of affordable housing on County-owned surplus property if the property is determined to be appropriate for residential development. [Source: County of Placer 2013 Housing Element, Goal B, Policy B-2] |
| HE-B-3 | Advocate for Legislative Changes. The County shall advocate for revisions to State laws that will make affordable housing easier to achieve, including issues related to prevailing wage, CEQA reform, tax code reform, and tools and funding for affordable housing. [Source: New policy based on housing stakeholder input] |
| HE-B-4 | Permanent Source of Housing Funds. The County shall seek to establish permanent funding sources for affordable housing including through a housing in-lieu fee. [Source: New policy based on housing stakeholder input] |
| HE-B-5 | Private Housing Trust Fund. The County shall continue to support and encourage investment in a private housing trust to secure contributions from private, public and nonprofit partners to help accelerate housing construction. [Source: New policy] |
| HE-B-6 | Apply for Funding Sources. The County shall continue to apply for funds from the State and federal government to support the construction, preservation, and rehabilitation of affordable, low-cost, owner-occupied, and rental housing. [Source: County of Placer 2013 Housing Element, Goal B, Policy B-3, and Goal D, Policy D-1; modified based on housing stakeholder input] |
| HE-B-7 | Conversion of Commercial Properties. The County shall encourage the repurposing of existing buildings (commercial, industrial, and residential) appropriate for affordable housing. [Source: New policy based on housing stakeholder input] |
| HE-B-8 | Mixed-income Neighborhoods. The County shall encourage mixed-income neighborhoods by requiring affordable housing that is to be constructed on-site in a new residential project to be dispersed throughout the project to the extent practical given the size of the project and other site constraints. [Source: County of Placer 2013 Housing Element, Goal B, Policy B-4] |
| HE-B-9 | By-right Affordable Housing on Specific Sites. The County shall allow housing developments with at least 20 percent affordable housing by-right on lower-income housing sites that have been counted in previous housing element cycles, consistent with AB 1397. [Source: New policy] |
| HE-B-10 | Phasing of Affordable Development. The County shall require affordable housing that is required as part of project approval to be developed in a timely manner with the market-rate units in the project to avoid delaying the construction of the affordable units to the end of the project. [Source: County of Placer 2013 Housing Element, Goal B, Policy B-6] |
| HE-B-11 | Fee Waivers for Affordable Housing. The County shall waive 100 percent of County-controlled development fees for residential projects outside of a specific plan area where at least 10 percent of the units are affordable to extremely low- or very-low-income households, 20 percent are affordable to low-income households, or 30 percent are affordable to moderate-income households. [Source: County of Placer 2013 Housing Element, Goal B, Policy B-8] |
| HE-B-12 | Affordable Housing Requirement for Specific Plans. The County shall require 10 percent of residential units in specific plans be affordable (i.e., 4 percent very low, 4 percent low, 2 percent moderate). On a case-by-case basis, the County shall allow developers that provide extremely low-income units to reduce the required percentage of other affordable units. [Source: County of Placer 2013 Housing Element, Goal B, Policy B-13] |
| HE-B-13 | Affordable Housing Requirement for New Development. The County shall require all new discretionary residential development projects to provide for at least 10 percent of the total approved units to accommodate housing needs that are affordable to very-low-, low-, and moderate-income households. [Source: New policy based on County staff notes on housing element policies] |
| HE-B-14 | Employee Housing. The County shall require new non-residential development to provide for below-market-rate housing to meet the needs of employees generated by the new development. The County shall consider exemptions for small projects, infill and transit oriented development. [Source: New policy based on County staff notes on housing element policies] |
| HE-B-15 | Build Partnerships. The County shall facilitate private-public partnerships with developers and nonprofit organizations as well as between developers and nonprofit organizations to collaborate and identify opportunities for the gifting of land and development of affordable housing. [Source: New policy based on housing stakeholder findings] |
| HE-B-16 | Community Conversations on Housing. The County shall facilitate discussions about multifamily housing, affordable housing, and supportive housing to educate community members and improve community support for meeting the housing needs of all Placer County residents. [Source: County of Placer 2013 Housing Element, Goal B, Policy B-15] |
| HE-B-17 | Housing Choice Vouchers. The County shall continue to provide Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher assistance to eligible households and pursue funding for additional vouchers. [Source: County of Placer 2013 Housing Element, Goal B, Policy B-16] |
| HE-B-18 | Assistance for Renters. The County shall provide rental assistance as funding is available for low income renters in need of short-term aid. [Source: New policy based on County Staff recommendation and new Tenant Based Rental Assistance program] |
| HE-B-19 | Meet State Density Bonus Requirements. The County shall meet the state requirements for density bonus incentives in order to facilitate the development of new affordable housing. [Source: New Policy, County Staff] |
| HE-B-20 | Community Development Corporation. The County shall support the development of a Community Development Corporation that supports the construction of new housing, housing infrastructure, and other community services related to housing. [Source: New Policy, Placer Foundation, County Staff] |
| Goal B: Programs |
| HE-14 Legislative Initiatives: The County shall consider on an annual basis advocating for affordable housing issues through its legislative platform. Such items may include but are not limited to: funding for affordable housing, housing on religious institution sites, construction financing, building codes, prevailing wage, tax code reform, CEQA reform, and other regulations that restrict affordable housing. |
| HE-15 Support Affordable Housing Development: The County shall work with housing developers to expand opportunities for affordable lower-income and workforce housing by creating partnerships, providing incentives, and pursuing funding opportunities. Full description of the program can be found here (page 195). |
| HE-16 Affordable Housing and Employee Accommodations: The County shall adopt an ordinance requiring new residential development to provide housing affordable to very-low-, low-, and moderate-income households, and nonresidential development to provide housing for new employees generated by the development. Full description of the program can be found here (page 150). |
| HE-17 Update Density Bonus Law: The County shall update the County’s density bonus law to include residential equivalence standards to account for impacts on infrastructure and services based on unit size. The County’s density bonus law shall permit the allowed number of units in single-family and multifamily residential zoning districts to be based on residential equivalence standards and allow for a maximum density of four units per parcel for duplex, triplex, fourplex, or cottage housing in the single-family residential zoning district. |
| HE-18 Establish Permanent Funding for Affordable Housing: The County shall analyze the feasibility of establishing permanent sources of funding for affordable housing. Full description of the program can be found here (page 151). |
| HE-19 Community Conversations on Housing: The County shall facilitate discussions with the community on housing and homelessness issues; brainstorm solutions; raise community awareness of the critical housing needs of local residents; and educate the public on the myths and realities of multifamily housing, affordable housing, and supportive housing for the homeless. The County shall conduct social media campaigns (e.g., FlashVotes, Community Surveys) to gather information from local residents on housing needs and receive feedback on potential solutions. |
| HE-20 Encourage Shared Housing: The County shall develop a shared housing program that matches homeowners with interested renters and shall seek a social service or advocacy agency to implement the program. |
| HE-21 Landlord Training Seminars: The County shall continue to work with local agencies and organizations to provide a landlord training program and seminar once every four years for individuals who are interested in renting their homes, second units, or rooms within their homes. The program would provide information on the current laws and practices involved with landlords and their tenants and promote renting units at affordable rates to meet the needs of lower-income households and reduce their risk of displacement from their community. |
| HE-22 Rental Assistance Program: The County shall strive to secure funding for a security deposit assistance program to assist extremely low-income and very-low-income individuals and households in emergency situations to prevent homelessness or assist those living in transitional housing secure permanent rental housing. This could include no-interest loans or grants to apply toward costs associated with rental housing, such as security deposits, first and last month’s rent, and utility deposits. The County will connect assistance recipients with housing opportunities in all areas of the County, prioritizing high resource areas, to facilitate mobility between neighborhoods regardless of income. The County shall consider a variety of funding sources for providing assistance. |
| HE-23 Housing Choice Vouchers Program: The County shall continue to administer the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8 assistance) through the Placer County Housing Authority. The County shall promote the use of Housing Choice Vouchers in high opportunity areas to facilitate mobility between high and low resource areas regardless of income. |
| HE-24 Affordable Housing on Surplus Land: The County shall identify and declare surplus public land appropriate for affordable housing and shall offer first right of refusal to affordable housing entities in accordance with Government Code Section 54222. The County shall consider leasing and/or granting surplus public land for affordable housing, where feasible. |
| HE-25 Adaptive Reuse and Conversion of Existing Properties: The County shall collaborate with private property owners to identify existing buildings appropriate for adaptive reuse and conversion to affordable housing. The County shall support adaptive reuse through the following actions: (1) Support the acquisition of existing structures to be repurposed for affordable housing; (2) Review and revise County codes to increase flexibility and analyze parking and other development standards; (3) Provide fee waivers and/or deferrals for conversion of existing buildings to affordable housing. |
| HE-26 Dollar Creek Crossing Site: The County shall continue to pursue development of rental and for sale housing on the Dollar Creek Crossing Site. The development shall provide 100 percent affordable and achievable housing, including housing for very-low- and low-income households, as well as those earning up to 245 percent of the area median household income. The County shall adopt a preferred site plan and coordinate with the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency on the environmental review and permitting process. The County shall pursue funding to support development of the site, including necessary infrastructure improvements. |
Goal C: Innovative Housing Types
To encourage construction of innovative housing types that are affordable by design and promote mixed-income neighborhoods.
| Goal C: Policies | |
| HE-C-1 | Innovative Housing and Construction Technologies. The County shall promote innovative housing types, including tiny homes, co-op housing, cohousing, and shared/boarding housing, and encourage alternative materials and construction techniques to reduce costs (e.g., modular, shipping containers, insulated concrete forms, and 3-D printing technology). [Source: New Policy] |
| HE-C-2 | Promoting Accessory Dwelling Units. The County shall incentivize and encourage accessory dwelling units (ADUs) through public education, development fee reductions and/or waivers, and construction resource tools. [Source: New policy] |
| HE-C-3 | Accessory Dwelling Units Affordable by Design. The County shall consider ADUs of less than 750 square feet to be affordable by design and eligible to satisfy low-income housing requirements in specific plans and new developments alike. [Source: New policy based on County staff notes on housing element policies] |
| HE-C-4 | Missing Middle Housing. The County shall encourage missing middle housing types, such as duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, courtyard buildings, bungalow courts, cottage housing, townhouses, multiplexes, and live/work buildings to provide middle-class and workforce housing compatible with single-family neighborhoods. [Source: New policy based on County staff notes on housing element policies] |
| Goal C: Programs |
| HE-27 ADU Promotional Campaign (NEW): The County shall provide guidance and educational materials for building ADUs on the County website, including permitting procedures and construction resources. Additionally, the County shall present homeowner associations with the community and neighborhood benefits of accessory dwelling units and work with new homeowner and neighborhood associations to prevent CC&Rs from restricting the construction of ADUs. The County shall prioritize promoting ADU construction in areas of high opportunity to expand housing choices and reduce displacement risk for lower‐income households in these communities. |
| HE-28 Prototype ADU Plans: The County shall develop, and offer free of charge, prototype plans for second units to bring down permit costs. |
| HE-29 ADU Loan Program (NEW): The County shall explore options for establishing a loan program to help homeowners finance the construction of ADUs. The County shall consider incentives to encourage homeowners to deed restrict ADUs for lower‐income households and will promote use of the loans and other incentives in areas of high resource to expand availability of affordable housing and reduce displacement risk in these areas. |
| HE-30 Monitor ADU Affordability (NEW): The County shall track the number of building permits issued for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and shall monitor the construction, sale, and/or rentals of ADUs annually to ensure that ADUs of less than 750 square feet that are used to satisfy a low‐income housing requirement are available and affordable to low‐income households. The County will evaluate ADU production and affordability two years into the planning period (2023) and if it is determined these units are not meeting the lower‐income housing need, the County shall ensure other housing sites are available to accommodate the unmet portion of the lower‐income RHNA. If additional sites must be rezoned, they will be consistent with Government Code Sections 65583(f) and 65583.2(h). |
| HE-31 Remove Modular Housing Constraints (NEW): The County shall work to remove barriers to the construction of modular housing by ensuring that specific plans do not include restrictions on such housing. In addition, the County shall work with new homeowner and neighborhood associations to prevent CC&Rs from restricting the construction of modular housing. |
| HE-32 Zoning for Missing Middle Housing Types (NEW): The County shall review and amend the zoning code to encourage and promote a mix of dwelling types and sizes, specifically missing middle housing types (e.g., duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, courtyard buildings). The County will prioritize applying this zoning in high resource areas to promote a variety of new housing types. |
| HE-33 Promote Missing Middle Housing Types (NEW):The County shall promote the construction of missing middle housing (e.g., duplexes, tri/fourplexes, courtyard buildings, bungalow courts, townhouses, live/work units), cluster housing, and other innovative housing types by distributing educational and promotional materials on the County’s website. The County will emphasize promoting missing middle housing in high resource areas to reduce displacement of residents and promote mixed‐income communities by actively distributing educational and promotional materials to developers interested in developing in these areas. |
| HE-34 Zoning for Residential on Religious Property (NEW): The County shall consider establishing a combining zone, floating zone, or overlay zone that would facilitate residential development and allow safe overnight parking programs as permissible uses. |
Goal D: Preserving the Existing Housing Stock
To improve the County’s existing stock of affordable housing and preserve all at-risk units within the unincorporated County.
| Goal D: Policies | |
| HE-D-1 | Preserve Existing Housing Stock. The County's code enforcement officers shall continue to work with property owners to preserve the existing housing stock and require the abatement of unsafe housing conditions while giving property owners adequate time to correct deficiencies. [Source: County of Placer 2013 Housing Element, Goal D, Policy D-2 and D-4] |
| HE-D-2 | Rehabilitating Units. The County shall allow dwellings to be rehabilitated that do not meet current lot size, setback, or other current zoning standards, so long as the nonconformity is not increased and there is no threat to public health and/or safety. [Source: County of Placer 2013 Housing Element, Goal D, Policy D-7] |
| HE-D-3 | Demolition of Multifamily Units. The County shall allow the demolition of existing multifamily units only when a structure is found to be substandard and unsuitable for rehabilitation and shall adhere to State law requiring tenant notice and landlord relocation assistance in cases of demolition of multifamily housing. [Source: County of Placer 2013 Housing Element, Goal D, Policy D-5 and D-8] |
| HE-D-4 | Mobile Home Conversions. The County shall adhere to the requirements of State law regarding mobile home conversions and shall discourage the conversion of mobile home parks to other types of housing and to other land uses except where the living conditions within such parks are such that an alternative land use will better serve the community and/or the residents of the mobile home park or the conversion results in the replacement of such affordable housing. [Source: County of Placer 2013 Housing Element, Goal D, Policy D-3 and D-9] |
| HE-D-5 | Resident-Owned Mobile Home Parks. The County shall support efforts to convert mobile home parks to resident-owned where homeowner associations own the park and homeowners own the spaces instead of leasing or renting the land their owned-homes occupy. [Source: County of Placer 2013 Housing Element, Goal D, Policy D-6] |
| HE-D-6 | Preserve At-Risk Housing. The County shall strive to preserve all deed-restricted affordable dwelling units in the unincorporated County that are at risk of converting to market-rate. [Source: County of Placer 2013 Housing Element, Goal E, Policy E-1] |
| HE-D-7 | Require Notice for Market Rate Conversion. The County shall require at least two years notice prior to the conversion of any deed-restricted affordable units to market rate in any of the following circumstances: (1) The units were constructed with the aid of government funding; (2) The units were required by an affordable housing program; (3) The project was granted a density bonus; and/or, (4) The project received other incentives. Such notice will be given, at a minimum, to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), the Placer County Housing Authority, the Placer County CDRA Planning Services Division, and the residents of at-risk units. [Source: County of Placer 2013 Housing Element, Goal E, Policy E-2] |
| HE-D-8 | Reduce the Risk of Wildfire for Current Housing Units. The County shall work with CalFire and other agencies to ensure existing units in the County in the Wildfire Urban Interface (WUI) are at a reduced risk of fire. [Source: New Policy] |
| Goal D: Programs |
| HE-35 CDBG Rehabilitation Funds: The County shall apply annually for CDBG rehabilitation funds to provide housing rehabilitation services and weatherization services to very‐low‐ and low‐income households, specifically those in low‐resource areas. To improve effectiveness of this program, the County shall advertise rehabilitation and weatherization programs through a variety of methods, including but not limited to: (1) The County website; (2) Brochures available at the permit counter; and, (3) In collaboration with non‐profits, local realtors, lenders, and escrow companies. |
| HE-36 At-Risk Properties: The County shall continually update the list of all dwellings within the unincorporated County that are currently subsidized by government funding or low‐income housing developed through local regulations or incentives. The list shall include, at a minimum, the number of units, the type of government assistance, and the date at which the units may convert to market‐rate dwellings. All subsidized low‐income housing developments shall provide at least two years notice prior to the conversion of any deed‐restricted affordable units to market‐rate units, as described in Policy HE‐D‐7. The County shall work to acquire and manage at‐risk affordable properties. The County shall work with property owners and the identified agencies and organizations to ensure continued affordability of subsidized units and shall provide technical and financial assistance for the acquisition and rehabilitation of at‐risk properties. |
| HE-37 Wildfire Housing Risk Reduction Program (NEW): The County shall explore the possibility of establishing a rehabilitation program with the express purpose of bringing homes in unincorporated parts of the County built before 2008 up to the California Fire Code. The County shall prioritize lower‐income households located in low‐resource areas. The County shall work with CalFire and relevant agencies to identify possible funding sources, research programs in other municipalities, develop draft guidelines, and evaluate the benefits of a program. |
Goal E: Housing in the Tahoe Basin
To promote achievable housing opportunities that meet the specific needs of residents and workers in the Tahoe Basin.
| Goal E: Policies | |
| HE-E-1 | Regional Coordination to Address Housing Issues. The County shall continue to collaborate with other local entities through the Mountain Housing Council to accelerate solutions to achievable housing affordable to renter-occupied households earning up to 220 percent of the area median income and owner-occupied households earning up to 245 percent of the area median income in the Lake Tahoe Region. [Source: County of Placer 2013 Housing Element, Goal C, Policy C-1] |
| HE-E-2 | TRPA Incentives and Regulations. The County shall encourage the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) to: (a) strengthen the effectiveness of existing incentive programs for the production of affordable housing in the Lake Tahoe Region and (b) change TRPA regulations to encourage second residential units also referred to as Accessory Dwelling Units. [Source: County of Placer 2013 Housing Element, Goal C, Policy C-1] |
| Goal E: Programs |
| HE-38 TRPA Code Changes: The County shall continue to work with TRPA to develop a revised set of incentives that encourage the construction of affordable housing, and to modify TRPA regulations to encourage second units, also referred to as Accessory Dwelling Units. |
| HE-39 New Mechanisms for Achievable Housing: The County shall continue to meet with local regional housing entities, stakeholders, and surrounding jurisdictions in the Tahoe Basin through the Mountain Housing Council to discuss local housing issues and develop cooperative strategies that address identified local housing needs. The County shall investigate additional mechanisms to facilitate the production of achievable housing affordable to renter‐occupied households earning up to 220 percent of the area median income and owner‐occupied households earning up to 245 percent of the area median income in the Lake Tahoe Region. Potential mechanisms include but are not limited to: considering the creation of an assessment district(s) and/or an amnesty period for illegal secondary dwelling units, also referred to as Accessory Dwelling Units, and examining potential methods to incentivize conversion of second homes or short‐term rentals to long‐term rental housing. |
Goal F: Special Needs
To meet the housing needs of specials groups of County residents, including a growing senior population, large families, single mothers, farmworkers, persons with disabilities, and persons and households in need of emergency shelter.
| Goal F: Policies | |
| HE-F-1 | Senior Housing. The County shall encourage the development of housing for seniors, including congregate care facilities. [Source: County of Placer 2013 Housing Element, Goal F, Policy F-1] |
| HE-F-2 | Universal Design for Accessible Housing. The County shall encourage developers to incorporate universal design in a portion of housing units to provide more accessible housing for seniors and persons with disabilities. [Source: County of Placer 2013 Housing Element, Goal F, Policy F-3] |
| HE-F-3 | Parking Requirements for Special Needs Housing. The County shall reduce parking requirements for special needs housing if a proponent can demonstrate a reduced parking need. [Source: County of Placer 2013 Housing Element, Goal F, Policy F-4] |
| HE-F-4 | Reasonable Accommodation. The County shall continue to streamline County procedures related to accessibility and adaptability of housing for persons with disabilities in accordance with the Reasonable Accommodation Ordinance. [Source: County of Placer 2013 Housing Element, Goal F, Policy F-5] |
| HE-F-5 | Farmworker Housing. The County shall continue to facilitate efforts of individuals, private organizations, and public agencies to provide safe and adequate housing for farmworkers in agriculturally-zoned areas where it has minimal impact on productive farmland. [Source: County of Placer 2013 Housing Element, Goal F, Policy F-6] |
| HE-F-6 | Design for Large Households. The County shall encourage housing design that meets the needs of extended, multigenerational, and/or large families. [Source: County of Placer 2013 Housing Element, Goal F, Policy F-8] |
| HE-F-7 | PermanentSupportive Housing. The County shall support efforts to increase the availability of permanent supportive housing facilities that provide support services for people with substance abuse and mental illness. [Source: County of Placer 2013 Housing Element, Goal F, Policy F-12] |
| HE-F-8 | Emergency Shelter and Support Services for the Homeless. The County shall continue to assist various nonprofit organizations that provide emergency shelter and other support services, including warming/cooling centers and disaster shelters, to homeless persons. [Source: County of Placer 2013 Housing Element, Goal F, Policy F-10] |
| HE-F-9 | Homeless Programs. The County shall continue to support local organizations at the community level through the Continuum of Care strategy to address homelessness and associated services issues. [Source: County of Placer 2013 Housing Element, Goal F, Policy F-11] |
| HE-F-10 | Temporary Housing on Religious Institution Property. The County shall explore the potential to allow for emergency shelter or other temporary housing on properties owned by religious institutions. [Source: New policy] |
| Goal F: Programs |
| HE-40 Emergency Shelters: The County shall continue to support emergency shelter programs, including consideration of funding for programs developed through inter‐jurisdictional cooperation. |
| HE-41 Zoning Code Amendments for Emergency and Supportive Housing (NEW): The County shall amend the zoning code to ensure compliance with State law and encourage emergency shelter, supportive housing, and related services for persons experiencing homelessness. Full description of the program can be found here (page 205). |
| HE-42 Group Homes (NEW): The County shall amend the zoning code to treat all residential care homes as family homes, consistent with Health and Safety Codes, and to allow residential care homes with seven or more clients with approval of a minor use permit in single family residential districts. |
| HE-43 Placer County Homeless Strategy (NEW): The County shall regularly update the Placer County Homeless Strategy and pursue funding to implement the suggested strategies for addressing homelessness. |
| HE-44 Reasonable Accommodation Ordinance: The County shall consider adoption of a zoning text amendment to remove the notification requirement for reasonable accommodation applications. The County will also review and revise approval findings to ensure they are consistent with State Law. |
Goal G: Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing
To promote and affirmatively further fair housing opportunities throughout the community for all persons regardless of age, race, religion, color, ancestry, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, familial status, or sexual orientation.
| Goal G: Policies | |
| HE-G-1 | Fair Housing Choice. The County shall promote housing opportunities for all persons regardless of race, religion, color, ancestry, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, family status, income, sexual orientation, or other barriers that prevent choice in housing. [Source: County of Placer 2013 Housing Element, Goal H, Policy H-1; modified] |
| HE-G-2 | Fair Employment and Housing Commission Policies. The County shall enforce the policies of the State Fair Employment and Housing Commission. [Source: County of Placer 2013 Housing Element, Goal H, Policy H-2] |
| HE-G-3 | Reporting Fair Housing Concerns. The County shall refer people who suspect discrimination in housing to Legal Services of Northern California since Placer County does not have a fair employment and housing board. [Source: County of Placer 2013 Housing Element, Goal H, Policy H-3] |
| HE-G-4 | Concentration of Affordable Housing. The County shall strive to avoid the concentration of affordable housing projects in any one area of the county while ensuring that affordable housing has appropriate access to infrastructure, services, and amenities. [Source: County of Placer 2013 Housing Element, Goal B, Policy B-5] |
| HE-G-5 | Affordable Development in High-Resource Areas. The County shall increase access to opportunity for lower-income households by encouraging affordable housing development in high-resource areas and improving resources near affordable housing sites located in low-resource areas. [Source: New policy] |
| HE-G-6 | Improve Access to Opportunity in Low-Resource Areas. The County shall collaborate with community partners to increase residential low-resource areas access to transit, environmental, economic, and educational opportunities. [Source: New policy, County Staff] |
| Goal G: Programs |
| HE-45 Fair Housing Information: The County shall continue to be the local contact point for the Department of Fair Employment and Housing. The County shall continue to provide housing counseling services and provide resource and referral information regarding housing and tenant rights through brochures available at the Housing Authority, the Placer County Library, and other local social services offices. In addition, the County shall post this information on the County website and will work with fair housing organizations, including Legal Services of Northern California, on a quarterly basis to track fair housing complaints and enforce fair housing laws. |
| HE-46 Promote Affordable Housing in High-Resource Areas (NEW): The County shall promote the development of affordable housing in high resource areas by providing information on funding criteria (e.g., California Tax Credit Allocation Committee) for affordable developments. These criteria should be related to lower‐income housing sites through an online mapping tool available on the County’s website. |
| HE-47 Improve Low-Resource Areas Access to Opportunities (NEW): The County shall improve low‐resource areas to increase access to opportunity for lower‐income households. Full description of the program can be found here (page 161). |
| HE-48 Housing Assistance Programs: The County shall maintain up‐to‐date information about homebuying assistance and foreclosure assistance on the County website. |
| HE-49 Analyze Potential Tenant Protections (NEW): The County shall analyze and consider adopting a rent stabilization policy or ordinance, particularly for mobile home parks or other areas where residents are subject to rent burden or at risk of displacement from rent or space rent increases. The County shall also consider adopting a policy or ordinance to protect residents from eviction unless it is based on good cause, such as nonpayment of rent or material breach of lease. The County will target policies in low resource areas, areas of concentrated poverty or lower income and higher displacement risk to mitigate displacement risks. |