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CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
PLANNING AND BUILDING DEPARTMENT
DATE: SEPTEMBER 23, 2025
FROM: PLANNING AND BUILDING DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION NO. 2021-00223, CITY-
INITIATED CLARIFYING TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS TO
TITLE 18 (ZONING) OF THE ANAHEIM MUNICIPAL CODE
(CODE) MODIFYING CHAPTERS 18.06 (MULTIPLE-FAMILY
RESIDENTIAL ZONES); 18.12 (MIXED-USE ZONE); AND 18.52
(AFFORDABLE HOUSING) RELATED TO
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SIXTH CYCLE HOUSING
ELEMENT AMENDMENTS (SECOND READING)
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES ITEM # 10
GOVERNMENT CODE § 84308 APPLIES: NO
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council, by Ordinance:
1) Adopt amendments to various sections of Title 18 (Zoning) of the Anaheim Municipal Code and determine that the proposed actions are not subject to CEQA pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines (Attachment 1).
DISCUSSION:
On September 9, 2025, the City Council introduced the subject Ordinance amending various chapters of Title 18 (Zoning) of the Anaheim Municipal Code (“Code”) to adopt clarifying technical amendments related to the implementation of the Sixth Cycle Housing Element.
On July 10, 2025, the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) found the City’s Housing Element in substantial compliance with State law, allowing release of the City’s Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) funds.
As a condition of full certification, HCD requested clarification of four technical provisions within 60 days to ensure consistency with the State Housing Element Law. In coordination with HCD staff, City staff prepared proposed amendments that clarify the following:
1. Allow by-right review of qualifying housing developments with at least 20% lower-income units on identified Housing Element sites; General Plan Update
September 23, 2025
2. Require a minimum residential density of 20 dwelling units per acre for certain sites when at least 20% of units are affordable;
3. Establish performance standards for mixed-use projects to ensure residential uses comprise at least 50% of floor area when 20% of units are affordable; and
4. Provide a cross-reference to sites carried forward from the prior Housing Element cycle that are eligible for by-right review under State law.
A more thorough summary of the proposed amendments is provided in the attached September 9, 2025, City Council staff report (Attachment 2).
If adopted, the Ordinance will become effective in 30 days.
Environmental Impact Analysis: Staff recommends that the City Council find that the proposed ordinance is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). This determination is pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines. Pursuant to this section, the proposed amendments fit within the general rule that CEQA only applies to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. These amendments do not authorize any new development or modify land use designations beyond what is already permitted under existing regulations. Rather, they streamline implementation, ensure internal consistency of terms and standards, and remove ambiguity in the development review processes. Thus, the proposed amendments would not have a significant effect on the environment; therefore, the activity is not subject to CEQA.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
The costs to process and implement these amendments are included in the Planning and Building Department’s FY 2025/26 General Fund budget.
Respectfully submitted,
Heather Allen
Planning and Building Director
Attachments:
1. Ordinance – Zoning Code Amendment (Title 18)
2. September 9, 2025, City Council Staff Report (without attachments)