Table of Contents

The city’s municipal code includes habitat preservation and management requirements to protect natural areas from adverse effects of development projects. It includes provisions for habitat preservation (§21.210.040), habitat management requirements (§21.210.050), and enforcement measures (§21.210.100).

Inclusionary Housing

The city’s municipal code addresses inclusionary housing (Chapter 21.85). It begins with a purpose and intent statement and list of definitions. Inclusionary housing requirements apply to all residential market-rate dwelling units receiving direct financial assistance, offsets, or other incentives.

The city’s municipal code establishes a minimum 15 percent affordability requirement for residential development projects of seven or more units. In developments with 10 or more affordable units, at least 10 percent of those units must have 3 or more bedrooms. The municipal code provides standards for affordable units that address concurrent construction, transportation access, design, and bedroom mix. It establishes a 55-year affordability requirement.

New master plans and specific plans must include an inclusionary housing plan. The city allows for in-lieu fee and on-site construction alternatives in certain cases, and may offer offsets for additional affordable unit provision in excess of code requirements. The municipal code outlines preliminary project application and review processes and details a required affordable housing agreement.

solar energy

The city’s municipal code requires preplumbing for solar hot water heating for new residential units (§18.30.040). The city has adopted the IAMPO Uniform Solar Energy Code, 2009 ed., as its solar energy code (§18.18.010).