Portola City Council
August 12, 2026

City of Portola
7 th Cycle Housing Element

Goals and Policies City Objective Quantified,
Results, and Evaluation
Timeframe Status
Seek grant funding to develop a First Time
Homebuyers Program, such as may be provided by
the Home Investment Partnerships Program, the
Community Development Block Grant Program, and
the federal American Dreams program, to provide
down payment assistance to families in order to
purchase a single-family home.

Submit at least one funding
application during the
planning period, if an
appropriate funding source is
available. If a First Time
Homebuyers Program is
created, assist 3
homeowners a year.

Continuously review
funding
opportunities.

Have reviewed
funding
opportunities.

Continue to implement the California Building Code,
Chapter 11, Housing Accessibility requirements, or
as updated by the State, regarding the formal
reasonable accommodation process for persons
with disabilities, including physically impaired, and
mentally and developmentally disabled. Information
regarding reasonable accommodation is available on
the City’s website and at the front counter.

Consistent with State law. Ongoing Ongoing
Regularly monitor the City’s ordinances, codes,
policies, and procedures to ensure that they comply
with the “reasonable accommodation” for disabled
provisions.

As a result of monitoring,
propose appropriate changes
to continue to provide
reasonable accommodations
to person with disabilities in
June.

Ongoing (monitoring)
and Annually in June
(propose appropriate
changes)
Ongoing; no
proposed changes
needed.

To preserve affordability, provide incentives (e.g.-
density bonus units, fee underwriting, fee deferral,
fast-tracking, etc.) to developers of residential
projects who agree to provide the specified
percentage of units mandated by State law at a cost
affordable to extremely low, very-low and/or lowincome households.

Provide incentives (or offer
incentives) to one developer
in the planning period.

Investigate additional
incentives and reporting
procedures by June 2020,
then annually. Proposed
additional measures for City
Council adoption by
December 2020, then
annually.

Ongoing, as
affordable housing
developments are
proposed.

No housing
developments
proposed
Monitor affordable housing policies, specifically as it relates to a minimum percentage of each housing
development to be affordable to low or moderateincome households, to ensure that the policies are not a constraint to development. As further
described in Goal 3, Policy 3-3-1, Program 1,
consider establishing an option of payment of an inlieu fee to be used to rehabilitate or acquire lowincome housing. NEXT STEPS: After reviewing the policies by September 2019, forward any
recommendations to the City Council by December
2019, then monitor the policies annually and when a
development application for single family or multifamily housing is received.

After reviewing the policies
by September 2019, forward
any recommendations to the
City Council by December
2019, then monitor the
policies annually and when a
development application for
single family or multi-family
housing is received.

Review affordable
housing policies by
September 2019,
with
recommendations
forwarded to the City
Council by December
2019, then monitor
the policies annually
and when a
development
application for single
family or multi-family
housing is received.

Ongoing; no
development
applications for
single family or
multi-family housing
received.

Annually review the Housing Element for
consistency with the general plan as part of its
general plan annual report.

Consistency among
documents
Annually Achieved with this
document

City of Portola
7 th Cycle Housing Element

Goals and Policies City Objective Quantified,
Results, and Evaluation
Timeframe Status
Complete the Housing Element Annual Progress
Report as required through HCD and review with the
General Plan annual report.

Prepare the Housing Element
Annual Progress Report by
April for the previous year
and review with the General
Plan annual report.

Annually in April Achieved with this
document
Publish the City’s Housing Element and updates,
Annual Action Plan and respective notices. Provide
copies at the City Hall Public Counter and post on
the City web site.

Consistency among
documents.

Ongoing Completed and
ongoing
Update the inventory of vacant land on a quarterly
basis or as projects are constructed.

Review the inventory
quarterly and update as
necessary.

Quarterly Completed and
ongoing
Require all Specific Plans and Development
Agreements to establish land use policies,
implementation programs, and funding
responsibilities in proportion to the size of the
project, to achieve the City’s Housing Element Goals
and Objectives.

Consistency among
documents.

With Specific Plan
proposals
No Specific Plan or
Development
Agreement
proposals received.

Continue to encourage development of wellplanned and designed projects that support the development of compatible residential, commercial,
industrial, institutional, or public uses within a single project or neighborhood by providing incentives
such as allowing higher building densities, reduced
parking requirements, reduced set-back and yard
requirements, allow for a higher building height, and
greater floor area ratios. These incentives are
available to all housing development that meet
requirements in the Portola Municipal Code.

Encourage residential
development
Ongoing No development
proposals received.

Review affordable housing policies, which require:
(1) a minimum percentage of each housing
development to be affordable to low or moderateincome households; or (2) the payment of an in-lieu fee to be used to rehabilitate or acquire low-income
housing. This is also included under Goal 2, Remove
Constraints, Policy 2-1-2, Program 2. NEXT STEPS:

After reviewing the policies by September 2019,
staff will forward any recommendations to the City
Council by December 2019, then monitor policies
annually and when a development application for
single family or multi-family housing is received.

Consistency among
documents.

Review affordable
housing policies by
September 2019,
with
recommendations
forwarded to the City
Council by December
2019 then monitor
the policies annually
and when a
development
application for single
family or multi-family
housing is received.

Completed and
ongoing. No
development
proposals were
received. No
recommendations
to City Council.

Monitor the amount of land zoned for both single
family and multi-family development and initiate
zone changes to accommodate affordable housing.

Consistency among
documents.

Quarterly Ongoing

City of Portola
7 th Cycle Housing Element

Goals and Policies City Objective Quantified,
Results, and Evaluation
Timeframe Status
Implement 1) the provisions of AB 2292 (Dutra)-
Section 65863 of the California State Government
Code and prevent the down-zoning of a residential
property used to meet the RHNA without a
concomitant up-zoning of a comparable property
and 2) the provisions of SB 166 that require a
jurisdiction to accommodate, at all times
throughout the planning period, its remaining
unmet share of the regional housing need by
income category.

Consistency with State law. Monitor ongoing
implementation of
the requirements.

Completed and
ongoing. No
development
proposals received.

Review the possibility of implementing a rental
housing inspection program. Under the program, a
code enforcement officer or building inspector
would be designated to systematically/annually
inspect all rental housing and complexes and to
issue reports on conditions in violation of current
Health and Safety Codes. Where necessary work is
extensive, implement an established rehabilitation
program to correct the deficiencies.

Encourage quality housing. Work on program
feasibility by
December 2025.

Code Enforcement
consultant
currently drafting
proposal.

Contact local energy providers to obtain information
on loans, grants, or other incentives that might be
available for voluntary energy reduction; and to
provide other relevant information on energy
efficiency.

Ensure that all relevant
materials are obtained and
available for distribution.

Ensure they are available in
public meeting places and on
the City’s website.

Obtain information
by June 2019 and
supply information
by September 2019
Completed and
ongoing
Continue to make available and market the City’s
rehabilitation revolving loan program in conjunction
with PCCDC.

Encourage quality housing. Annually funding
applications with
funding cycle,
ongoing marketing of
programs.

Completed and
ongoing
Promote program(s) to acquire and rehabilitate
dilapidated and older single-family homes and
apartment complexes, and maintain these units as
affordable on a long-term basis. Ongoing review of
funding sources with a goal of at least one funding
application every 2 years for viable programs. Grant
activity will be based on units being affordable to
low- and moderate-income households.

Apply for at least one
funding application every 2
years.

Starting with funding
cycle in 2020.

Funding
opportunities
reviewed but not
feasible at this time.

Notify the agency or agencies established in the
following program when at-risk units are identified
within the City limits. Post the City’s inventory of atrisk units on the City’s website and provide a link from the City’s website to the California Housing
Partnership’s list of Affordable Housing at Risk of
Conversion (prepared by the California Coalition for
Rural Housing) website. The goal of this program is
to provide a reliable, easily-accessible source of
information to organizations interested in the
purchase and maintenance of at-risk housing for
extremely low-to moderate income households.

Monitor 25 units of
affordable housing that may
be at-risk of conversion.

June 2020, then
annually in June.

Completed annually

City of Portola
7 th Cycle Housing Element

Goals and Policies City Objective Quantified,
Results, and Evaluation
Timeframe Status
The City will acquire existing information published
by HCD summarizing the timelines and
requirements associated with converting subsidized
housing to market rates. The City will gather and
make available to its residents information
identifying local agencies that provide tenant
relocation assistance and rental subsidies. This
information will be provided on the City’s webpage
and at the front counter.

Gather information by June
2022, and ensure the
information is posted and
available by December 2022.

December 2022, with
annual review of
material and
website/front
counter information.

In progress
Require that all recipients of locally administered
housing assistance funds acknowledge their
understanding of w and affirm their commitment to
the law.

Consistency with State law Ongoing Ongoing
Annually update fair housing materials, including all
pertinent resource, posters and information
available through the Department of Fair
Employment and Housing (DFEH) and Housing and
Urban Development (HUD) to educate on a variety
of fair housing issues. Develop information flyers
and brochures that highlight (1) disability provisions
of both federal and state fair housing laws and (2)
familial status discrimination. Fair housing materials, pamphlets and flyers will be distributed at outreach
events including school fairs, health fairs, and Citysponsored events. Collaborate with service agencies to distribute educational materials. Maintain
updated information on the City’s website.

Consistency with State law. Update annually in
December; Ongoing
distribution of
updated material at
the front counter and
at various
community outreach
events throughout
the year.

Ongoing; No
partnerships or
opportunities have
been generated
from materials.

Continue to refer all housing discrimination referrals
to the City Manager or designee who will provide
information, assist in completing a complaint form,
or refer the complainant to the California
Department of Fair Employment and Housing as
appropriate.

Assist any residents who
request assistance
Ongoing Complete and
ongoing; as needed.

Maintain membership in the Housing Authority to
qualify City residents for Section 8- existing housing
assistance administered by the PCCDC. Provide
information on the availability of County programs
to qualified residents. Maintain information on the
City’s website.

Encourage housing
opportunities
Ongoing, annually Completed and
ongoing
Assist federal, state, non-profit housing
organizations, and/or other entities to provide new
single-family and multi-family residential units for
very low-income residents, by providing research
and staff support for grant and development
opportunities, as needed.

Assist one affordable housing
organization during the
planning period.

Ongoing, as needed No requests for
information
received; ongoing.

City of Portola
7 th Cycle Housing Element

5.2 Summary of Conclusions
In 1980, the State of California amended the Government Code by adding Article 10.6 regarding Housing Elements. By enacting this statute, the legislature found that "the availability of housing is of vital statewide importance, and the early attainment of decent housing and a suitable living environment for every California family is a priority of the highest order. The early attainment of this goal requires the cooperative participation of government and the private sector in an effort to expand housing opportunities and accommodate the housing needs of Californians of all economic levels. Local and state governments have a responsibility to use the powers vested in them to facilitate the improvement and development of housing to make adequate provision for the housing needs of all economic segments of the community..." California’s Statewide Housing Assessment 2025, “California’s Housing Future: Challenges and Opportunities” indicates that California may have to accommodate 50 million people by 2050. To meet the enormous needs for housing and other services, the State will have to use all the resources at its disposal.

The five-year housing strategy is intended for the utilization of federal resources toward housing needs in the state. Three broad objectives are identified for the use of federal funds:
• Meeting low-income renters needs.
• Meeting low-income homeowners needs.
• Meeting the needs of homeless persons and households requiring supportive services.

Within the five-year strategy is a sub-list of strategies that are intended to address housing as a statewide concern:
• Development of New Housing (assisting local governments in preparing and implementing housing elements of their general plan, expedited permit processing for affordable housing, funding resources, and fostering partnerships between housing providers).
• Preservation of Existing Housing and Neighborhoods (rehabilitation of existing homes, code enforcement, preserving government-assisted housing projects, and mobile home ownership). • Reduction of Housing Costs (development on surplus and under-utilized land, self-help construction and rehabilitation programs, tax-exempt bonds for development and rehabilitation, financing and modular homes, eliminating duplicative environmental review procedures, and revising regulations that add to the cost of housing development).
• Much higher levels of housing construction are needed to adequately house the State’s population. • High housing cost burdens are increasingly an issue for both owners and renters. The combination of upward price pressure in the housing markets and relatively tight urban housing markets has led to increasing cost burdens, particularly for low-income renter residents. • In some portions of the State, the level of overcrowding has dramatically increased. • A substantial portion of affordable rental housing developments statewide are at risk of conversion to market rate use.
• Significant numbers of temporary agricultural workers migrate throughout the State, facing housing challenges that impact their welfare.
• Homeless individuals and households face significant difficulties in obtaining shelter and reintegrating themselves into the broader society.

City of Portola
7 th Cycle Housing Element

Trends
The following is a summary of housing trends in Portola:
• Over the last Housing Element period, the Portola Housing Program was not effective in meeting its RHNA goals because there was no development in Portola. Affordable housing types and economic segments have been accommodated through the Housing Program. However, because of lack of staffing, public funds, and developer interest not all of the programs were able to be realized. • The City of Portola is geographically isolated from other major population centers. • The City has continued to accommodate additional households, providing maximum housing assistance within its resources for very low, low, and moderate income families. With a viable General Plan and consistent zoning, the City has provided for housing growth far beyond this housing element period. • Four key household trends impacting Portola’s housing are:
 A need to continue the housing rehabilitation program; 45.1 percent of the housing units are in need of moderate or substantial repair.
 A continuing demand for subsidized rental units
 A demand for multi-family units
 High unemployment
• According to the 2018 survey, 82.5 percent of Portola’s housing stock need some level of repair, of which most, 45.1 percent, need minor repairs. Approximately 5.4 percent, are considered to be dilapidated. • There are no complexes considered to be at-risk of converting to market rate over this Housing Element period or the following five years.

5.3 Policy Goals
The goals, objectives, and programs of the 2014-2019 City of Portola Housing Element focused on maintaining housing affordability, rehabilitating housing, and providing an adequate supply of sites for housing development.

The current update continues to address these issues. The objectives in this update will be quantified to meet the RHNA for the City, as prescribed by Plumas County.

The City of Portola has eight broad housing priorities:

1. To maintain and improve the quality of the existing housing stock and surrounding neighborhoods.

2. To provide for a choice of housing locations and types for all residents.

3. To encourage the construction of special needs housing including but not limited to domestic violence issues, senior housing, disabled housing, migrant housing and homeless shelters.

4. To promote access to safe and decent housing for all economic groups.

5. To increase the availability of affordable housing for all households in Portola through public and private channels.

6. To manage housing and community development in a manner that will promote the long-term integrity and value of each new housing unit and its environment.

7. To promote energy and water conservation activities in all residential neighborhoods.

8. Ensure that all housing programs are available without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, marital status, age, household composition, income, size, or any other arbitrary factor.

City of Portola
7 th Cycle Housing Element

5.4 Quantified Objectives
Table 43: 2024 Quantified Objectives
Income Group New Construction Rehabilitation Conservation and Preservation
Accessory Dwelling
Units
Extremely Low 0 1 0* 2
Very Low 0 1 61 2
Low 0 1 0 6
Moderate 0 0 4 6
Above Moderate 4 2 0 12
TOTAL 4 5 65 28
Source: City of Portola
* Some units may serve extremely low-income households through USDA Section 521 Rental Assistance, but tenant-level income data is not available to confirm (ELI) counts.

CHAPTER SIX: HOUSING PROGRAM
GOAL 1: HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES AND ACCESSIBILITY
It is the Goal of the City of Portola to increase the availability of permanent housing for all community residents.

OBJECTIVE 1-1: SEEK ASSISTANCE UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, AND OTHER PROGRAMS FOR ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE CITY THAT ADDRESS AFFORDABLE HOUSING NEEDS.
• Policy 1-1-1: Apply to HUD and State HCD for grant funds that may be used for housing-related programs.

Program 1: As resources allow, assist developers with the identification and application for funds designated to assist the development of housing for lower-income households. For example, in partnership with an interested non-profit developer, apply to the AHSC program for the development of low-income housing.

Responsibility: City Manager’s Office
Quantified Objective: Assist with one funding application during the planning period.

Timeline: Ongoing, As requested by interested parties, to be reviewed annually. • Policy 1-1-2: Provide technical assistance to developers, nonprofit organizations, or other qualified private sector interests in the application and development of projects for federal and state financing.

Program 1: Coordinate with County-wide organizations to annually update the Project Information Pamphlet outlining City participation and incentives, housing needs from the Housing Element (or other market source), a definition of the state and federal funding for which the City is willing to apply, and other pertinent information.

Distribute the Pamphlet to local non-profit and for-profit development groups, and regional agencies.

Information is distributed through direct mailing and is on the City’s website.

Responsibility: City Manager’s Office
Quantified Objective: Maintain updated Pamphlet and distribute as requested by interested parties.

City of Portola
7 th Cycle Housing Element

Timing: Ongoing distribution of the Project Information Pamphlet, and at least annually. • Policy 1-1-3: Consider incentives such as a density bonus and/or an additional incentive to projects providing affordable units.

Program 1: Continue to implement the City’s density bonus ordinance that offers increased discretionary density. Also, include additional incentives such as fast-tracking, waiver of permits, fee deferrals, or fee reductions, to affordable housing developments that provide affordable units and to provide relaxed development standards or setback requirements for mixed-use developments (commercial or office uses must be on same site as housing) providing an affordable housing component.

Responsibility: City Manager’s Office
Quantified Objective: Offer development-related incentives.

Timing: Ongoing as opportunities arise during the planning period.

Program 2: The City shall amend the Zoning Ordinance to adopt implementing procedures that are consistent with State Density Bonus Law, Government Code Section 65915 et seq. To reduce the need for future municipal code amendments and updates, the amendments will focus on local procedures for processing density bonus applications, and application documents and information required to be submitted with a density bonus application in order for an application to be deemed complete (Government Code Sections 65915, subparagraph (3)). Consistent with subdivision (n) of Government Code Section 65915, the City’s Zoning Ordinance amendments for density bonus may consider allowing the City to grant a density bonus greater than described in State Density Bonus Law (SDBL) for a development that meets the requirements of SDBL. The City will target rural lower resource areas, at-risk communities, seniors, and persons with a disability.

Responsibility: City Manager’s Office
Quantified Objective: Ensure compliance with State Density Bonus Law.

Timing: Within one year of adoption of the Housing Element.

Program 3: The City will explore options and create a program to promote ADU development for very low-, low, and moderate-income households, targeting rural lower resource areas, at-risk communities, seniors, and persons with a disability within existing infill areas. Potential strategies may include informational materials, preapproved plans, fee or parking incentives, or designating an ADU specialist within the Planning Department.

Responsibility: City Manager’s Office
Quantified Objective: Develop and implement an ADU promotion program.

Timing: Program to be developed within 24 months of Housing Element adoption.

OBJECTIVE 1-2: PROVIDE HOME OWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES WHENEVER POSSIBLE. • Policy 1-2-1: Investigate programs that would assist first time homebuyers in purchasing a home.

Program 1: Seek grant funding to develop a First Time Homebuyers Program, such as may be provided by the Home Investment Partnerships Program, the Community Development Block Grant Program, and the federal American Dreams program, to provide down payment assistance to families in order to purchase a single-family home. NEXT STEPS: The city will continue to review funding sources on an ongoing basis to identify and apply, as appropriate, for funds to create a First Time Homebuyers Program. If the City is successful in obtaining funds

City of Portola
7 th Cycle Housing Element

for the program, it will create and distribute brochures and other information and post it on the City’s website within six months of receiving the funds.

Responsibility: City Manager’s Office
Quantified Objective: Submit at least one funding application during the planning period, if an appropriate funding source is available. If a First Time Homebuyers Program is created, assist 3 homeowners a year.

Timing: Submit at least one application if appropriate by 2030.

OBJECTIVE 1-3: ENCOURAGE THE DEVELOPMENT OF HOUSING AND PROGRAMS TO ASSIST SPECIAL NEEDS PERSONS.
• Policy 1-3-1: Encourage the provision of housing to single individuals, working poor, homeless, disabled, senior citizens, and others in need of basic, safe housing to prevent or reduce the incidence of homelessness in areas near service providers, public transportation, and service jobs.

See Policy 2-1-2 Program 1
Program 2: The City shall amend its Zoning Code to explicitly allow permanent supportive housing and lowbarrier navigation centers by right in zones where mixed-use and multifamily residential uses are permitted, consistent with Government Code Section 65660 and 65651. The amendment will also include the definition of emergency shelters and a review of parking requirements.

Responsibility: City Manager
Quantified Objective: Adopt Zoning Code amendments to clarify by-right allowances for low-barrier navigation centers and permanent supportive housing, and include the definition of emergency shelters and a review of parking requirements.

Timing: Within 12 months of Housing Element adoption
Program 3: The City shall review its Zoning Ordinance to confirm consistency with the Employee Housing Act (Health and Safety Code Sections 17021.5 and 17021.6). Should clarification be needed, the City will include it in its next zoning code update to ensure consistency with State law.

Responsibility: City Manager
Quantified Objective: Complete zoning consistency review and determine whether code amendments are necessary
Timing: Within 12 months of Housing Element adoption
Program 4: The City will develop partnerships with service agencies and/or HCD to assist with implementation of housing and programs to assist special needs persons.

Responsibility: City Manager
Quantified Objective: Ensure assistance with program implementation.

Timing: Within 12 months of Housing Element adoption
Program 5: The City will continue implementing its plan to Affirmatively Further Fair Housing (AFFH). The AFFH Plan commits to take actions to address significant disparities in housing needs and in access to opportunity, replacing segregated living patterns with truly integrated and balanced living patterns, transforming racially and ethnically concentrated areas of poverty into areas of opportunity, and fostering and maintaining compliance

City of Portola
7 th Cycle Housing Element

with civil rights and fair housing laws for all persons regardless of race, religion, sex, marital status, ancestry, national origin, color, familial status, or disability, and other characteristics protected by the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (Part 2.8 (commencing with Section 12900) of Division 3 of Title 2), Section 65008, and any other State and Federal fair housing and planning law. In response to community input and the fair housing analysis, the Program will include programs addressed in the AFFH as part of this Housing Element:

Responsibility: City Manager
Quantified Objective: Ensure assistance with program implementation.

Timing: Within 12 months of Housing Element adoption
• Policy 1-3-3: Ensure that the City building codes, and development ordinances comply with the provisions of SB 520 (Chapter 671 of the Government Code).

Program 1: Continue to implement the California Building Code, Chapter 11, Housing Accessibility requirements, or as updated by the State, regarding the formal reasonable accommodation process for persons with disabilities, including physically impaired, and mentally and developmentally disabled. Information regarding reasonable accommodation is available on the City’s website and at the front counter.

Responsibility: Building Department
Timing: Ongoing, and at least every 6 months
Program 2: Regularly monitor the City’s ordinances, codes, policies, and procedures to ensure that they comply with the “reasonable accommodation” for disabled provisions. NEXT STEPS: As a result of monitoring, propose appropriate changes to continue to provide reasonable accommodations to person with disabilities in June.

Responsibility: City Manager’s Office and Building Department Timing: Ongoing (monitoring) and annually in June (propose appropriate changes) GOAL 2: REMOVE CONSTRAINTS
The goal of the Housing Element is to remove constraints that hinder the construction of affordable housing.

OBJECTIVE 2-1: PROVIDE THE CITIZENS IN THE CITY OF PORTOLA WITH REASONABLY PRICED HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN THE FINANCIAL CAPACITY OF ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY. • Policy 2-1-1: To preserve affordability, allow and encourage developers to "piggyback" or file concurrent applications (e.g., rezones, tentative tract maps, conditional use permits, variance requests, etc.) if multiple approvals are required, and if consistent with applicable processing requirements, where feasible after initial review.

See Policy 2-1-2, Program 1
• Policy 2-1-2: Consider the impact of all regulations, fee changes, policies, and development projects on housing affordability.

Program 1: To preserve affordability, provide incentives (e.g.- density bonus units, fee underwriting, fee deferral, fast-tracking, etc.) to developers of residential projects who agree to provide the specified percentage

City of Portola
7 th Cycle Housing Element

of units mandated by State law at a cost affordable to extremely low, very-low and/or low-income households.

NEXT STEPS: Investigate additional measures annually, and propose additional measures for adoption to the City Council as needed.

Responsibility: City Manager’s Office
Quantified Objectives: Provide incentives (or offer incentives) to one developer in the planning period.

Investigate additional incentives and reporting procedures annually. Proposed additional measures for City Council adoption as needed.

Timing: Ongoing, as affordable housing developments are proposed.

Program 2: Improve Transparency of Development Fee Information The City will compile and publish a complete an up-to-date list of all development-related fees including planning, building, engineering, and impact fees, and a link to development standards on the City’s website (Planning Department page). This effort will improve transparency for applicants and assist developers in accurately estimating project costs.

Responsibility: City Manager’s Office
Quantified Objective: Publish a comprehensive list of all applicable development-related fees online Timing: Within 12 months of Housing Element adoption; updates reviewed annually thereafter Program 3: Monitor affordable housing policies, specifically as it relates to a minimum percentage of each housing development to be affordable to low or moderate-income households, to ensure that the policies are not a constraint to development. As further described in Goal 3, Policy 3-3-1, Program 1, consider establishing an option of payment of an in-lieu fee to be used to rehabilitate or acquire low-income housing. NEXT STEPS:

Monitor the policies annually and when a development application for single family or multi-family housing is received.

Responsibility: City Manager’s Office.

Timing: Monitor the policies annually and when a development application for single family or multi-family housing is received.

Program 4: Senate Bill 9 Implementation Review
The City will review its zoning ordinance, subdivision procedures, and administrative practices to ensure full compliance with SB 9 (Government Code Sections 65852.21 and 66411.7).

Responsibility: Planning Department
Quantified Objective: Complete review and prepare updates to zoning and subdivision standards, if necessary
Timing: Within 12 months of Housing Element adoption
Program 5: Annually review the Housing Element for consistency with the general plan as part of its general plan annual report.

Responsibility: City Manager’s Office
Timing: Annually
• Policy 2-1-3: Complete the Housing Element Annual Progress Report and review with the General Plan annual report.

City of Portola
7 th Cycle Housing Element

Program 1: Complete the Housing Element Annual Progress Report as required through HCD and review with the General Plan annual report. NEXT STEPS: Review annually.

Responsibility: City Manager’s Office and Planning Commission Quantified Objective: Prepare the Housing Element Annual Progress Report by April for the previous year and review with the General Plan annual report.

Timing: Annually in April
Program 2: Moving forwards, the City will employ additional methods for local public outreach efforts in future submittals of the Housing Element, particularly to include lower-income and special needs households or representative organizations and neighborhoods with higher concentrations of lower-income households. For example, the City could conduct targeted stakeholder interviews with Plumas Unified School District or churches, or establish a committee representative of lower-income households in future public outreach efforts. In addition, the element should summarize public comments and describe how they were considered and incorporated into the element.

Responsibility: City Manager’s Office
Quantified Objective: Update public outreach efforts prior to the 8th Cycle Housing Element.

Timing: Begin review in July 2028
OBJECTIVE 2-2: PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO DEVELOPERS, NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, OR OTHER

QUALIFIED PRIVATE SECTOR INTERESTS IN THE APPLICATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF PROJECTS FOR FEDERAL AND STATE HOUSING PROGRAMS/GRANTS.
• Policy 2-2-1: To ensure that the development community (both non-profit and for profit) is aware of the housing programs and technical assistance available from the City.

Program 1: Publish the City’s Housing Element and updates, Annual Action Plan and respective notices. Provide copies at the City Hall Public Counter and post on the City web site.

Responsibility: City Manager’s Office
Timing: Ongoing
GOAL 3: PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF SITES FOR THE

DEVELOPMENT OF NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING
It is the goal of the City of Portola to provide adequate, suitable sites for residential use and development or maintenance of a range of housing that varies sufficiently in terms of cost, design, size, location, and tenure to meet the housing needs of all economic segments of the community at a level which can be supported by the infrastructure.

OBJECTIVE 3-1: PROVIDE INFORMATION TO FOR-PROFIT AND NON-PROFIT DEVELOPERS AND OTHER HOUSING PROVIDERS ON AVAILABLE VACANT LAND.
• Policy 3-1-1: Monitor and update the inventory of vacant land.

Program 1: Update the inventory of vacant land on a quarterly basis or as projects are constructed.

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7 th Cycle Housing Element

Responsibility: City Manager’s Office
Quantified Objective: Review the inventory quarterly and update as necessary.

Timing: Quarterly
OBJECTIVE 3-2: CONTINUE TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENTS. • Policy 3-2-1: Encourage developers to employ innovative or alternative construction methods to reduce housing costs and increase housing supply.

Program 1: Require all Specific Plans and Development Agreements to establish land use policies, implementation programs, and funding responsibilities in proportion to the size of the project, including funding towards parks and other place-based strategies to achieve the City’s Housing Element Goals and Objectives. The City commits to encourage a variety of housing types, densities, and affordability.

Responsibility: City Manager’s Office
Quantified Objective: Review each Specific Plan and Development Agreement to ensure that land use policies, implementation programs, and funding responsibilities in proportion to the size of the project, including funding towards parks and other place-based strategies are included.

Timing: With Specific Plan and Development Agreement proposals • Policy 3-2-2: To encourage the development of housing that has, to the extent possible, a support structure of shopping, services, and jobs within easy access.

Program 1: Continue to encourage development of well-planned and designed projects that support the development of compatible residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, or public uses within a single project or neighborhood by providing incentives such as allowing higher building densities, reduced parking requirements, reduced set-back and yard requirements, allow for a higher building height, and greater floor area ratios. These incentives are available to all housing development that meet requirements in the Portola Municipal Code.

Responsibility: City Manager’s Office
Timing: Ongoing
OBJECTIVE 3-3: ENCOURAGE BALANCED GROWTH
• Policy 3-3-1: Achieve a balanced residential community through integration of low- and moderateincome housing throughout the City, and the adequate dispersal of such housing to avoid over concentration in any particular neighborhood.

Program 1: Review affordable housing policies, which require: (1) a minimum percentage of each housing development to be affordable to low or moderate-income households; or (2) the payment of an in-lieu fee to be used to rehabilitate or acquire low-income housing. This is also included under Goal 2, Remove Constraints, Policy 2-1-2, Program 2. NEXT STEPS: Monitor policies annually and when a development application for single family or multi-family housing is received.

Responsibility: City Manager’s Office

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7 th Cycle Housing Element

Timing: Monitor the policies annually and when a development application for single family or multi-family housing is received.

OBJECTIVE 3-4: PROVIDE A SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF ZONED LAND TO ACCOMMODATE DEVELOPMENT FOR ALL HOUSING TYPES AND INCOME LEVELS.
• Policy 3-4-1: Monitor the amount of land zoned for all types of housing and initiate zone changes if necessary.

Program 1: Monitor the amount of land zoned for both single family and multi-family development and initiate zone changes to accommodate affordable housing.

Responsibility: City Manager’s Office
Timing: Quarterly
Program 2: The City shall develop and adopt a formal written procedure to guide the prioritization of water and sewer infrastructure capacity for housing developments that include units affordable to lower income households.

Responsibility: City Manager’s Office
Quantified Objective: Adopt a written infrastructure allocation policy and publish it on the City’s website
Timing: By the end of the planning period
• Policy 3-4-2: Preserve and protect residentially zoned sites needed to accommodate residential development consistent with the City of Portola RHNA.

Program 1: Complying with Government Code (GC) Section 65583(a)(3) that requires local governments to prepare an inventory of land suitable for residential development, including vacant sites and sites having the potential for redevelopment, and an analysis of the relationship of zoning and public facilities and services to these sites. This inventory identifies specific sites or parcels that are available for residential development. • Vacant sites
• Underutilized sites
However, the City does not anticipate using these sites to meet its RHNA.

Responsibility: City Manager’s Office
Quantified Objective: Easy to access maps available for public viewing. Construction of 2 ADUs per year affordable to lower-income households over 5 years.

Timing: During the 2024-2029 Housing Element update period in conjunction with the program.

Program 2: The City shall facilitate and encourage the development of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in conjunction with single-family residences in conformance with state law. To encourage ADU activities, the City will promote its ADU incentive program, which includes the following:
a) Adopt new ADU code that is compliant with current state statutes (2026) b) Develop an ADU incentive program
c) Collect voluntary information during the permitting process on intended use, demographic and income characteristics of the ADU

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d) Offer dedicated staff time to assist with ADU inquiries Responsibility: City Manager’s Office, Building Department Quantified Objective: Allow for the development of ADUs in conjunction with single family residences. The City shall assist in the coordination and development of ±5 ADUs within the planning period through the design and implementation of an ADU incentive program.

Timing: Adopt Revisions as part of the Zoning Code update in 2026. ADU incentive program activated by the end of the planning period (2029).

Program 3: Utilize City-owned sites to develop an affordable housing project (including units in a range of sizes and types). The City-owned sites shall be available to developers building affordable housing or otherwise ensured for development to provide a greater number of affordable units (consistent with the Housing Element sites inventory). The City will require an affordability covenant recorded against the land stipulating a specified percent of the total units developed will be affordable to lower-income households, in accordance with State Law. The City will adhere to procedures consistent with the Surplus Lands Act to provide affordable housing developers a first right of refusal (AB 1486). The City-owned sites subject to this program are:
• Magnolia Avenue Properties: 23 lots, number of units will be based on utilities available and anticipated to range from 14 to 32 units. As the sites could total ±5.75 acres if streets are vacated and assuming 70% buildout of the site after improvements, the City could target 32 units spread across very low income/extremely low income, and low income households.

The City will go through a public process to develop a strategy for an affordable housing project on the Magnolia Avenue Site. The strategy may include rezoning, meeting all requirements pursuant to GC 65583.2(h) and (i).

Responsibility: City Manager’s Office
Quantified Objective: Achieve the development of affordable units on City-owned sites Timing: Create City-owned affordable housing site property list by 2026. Start outreach to developers by 2027. Issue RFP for development by 2027. Complete development entitlements by 2028. Building Permit issuance by 2030. If approval of development hasn’t occurred by 2030, the City will identify alternative sites with appropriate zoning within 1 year.

Program 4: Implement 1) the provisions of AB 2292 (Dutra)-Section 65863 of the California State Government Code and prevent the down-zoning of a residential property used to meet the RHNA without a concomitant upzoning of a comparable property and 2) the provisions of SB 166 that require a jurisdiction to accommodate, at all times throughout the planning period, its remaining unmet share of the regional housing need by income category.

Responsibility: City Manager’s Office
Timing: Monitor ongoing implementation of the requirements.

Program 5: The City shall continue to monitor all approved but unbuilt housing developments, including Portola Highlands and Portola 192, on an annual basis as part of its Housing Element reporting and development tracking efforts. The City will assess the status of entitlements, progress toward site development, barriers to construction (e.g., infrastructure, financing, or permitting delays), and likelihood of completion within the planning period.

Responsibility: City Manager’s Office
Quantified Objective: Status updates for each pipeline project included in the Annual Progress Report.

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Timing: Ongoing, with annual review and documentation.

Program 6: The City shall amend its Zoning Code to include a definition for Single Room Occupancy (SRO) units and establish development standards and clear permit procedures to facilitate their development.

Responsibility: Planning Department
Quantified Objective: Adopt Zoning Code amendments to define and regulate SROs Timing: Within 12 months of Housing Element adoption
GOAL 4: PRESERVE, REHABILITATE, AND ENHANCE EXISTING HOUSING AND

NEIGHBORHOODS
It is the goal of the City of Portola to initiate all reasonable efforts to preserve the availability of existing housing opportunities and to conserve as well as enhance the quality of existing dwelling units and residential neighborhoods.

OBJECTIVE 4-1: PRESERVE EXISTING NEIGHBORHOODS.
• Policy 4-1-1: Establish code enforcement as a high priority and provide adequate funding and staffing to support code enforcement programs.

Program 1: Implement a code enforcement and rental housing inspection program, targeting rural lower resource areas, at-risk communities, seniors, and persons with a disability. Under the program, a code enforcement officer or building inspector would be designated to systematically/annually inspect all rental housing and complexes and to issue reports on conditions in violation of current Health and Safety Codes. Where necessary work is extensive, implement an established rehabilitation program to correct the deficiencies. NEXT STEPS: Seek external partners to assist with implementation in 2026. In partnership with the California Department of Housing and Community Development and regional partners, evaluate program components, develop materials and establish a program by December 2026 and implement the program at least annually thereafter.

Responsibility: City Manager’s Office and Building Department Quantified Objective: Develop a rental housing inspection program Timing: Establish program by December 2026.
• Policy 4-1-3: Promote energy conservation activities in all residential neighborhoods.

Program 1: Contact local energy providers to obtain information on loans, grants, or other incentives that might be available for voluntary energy reduction; and to provide other relevant information on energy efficiency.

NEXT STEPS: Supply energy conservation awareness information in public meeting places targeting rural lower resource areas, at-risk communities, seniors, and persons with a disability, and on the City’s website ongoing.

Responsibility: City Manager’s Office
Quantified Objective: Ensure that all relevant materials are obtained and available for distribution. Ensure they are available in public meeting places and on the City’s website. Materials will distributed to at least 20 households per year. One household per year will be assisted.

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Timing: Supply information ongoing, and at least annually. Include one public distribution at a public meeting.

OBJECTIVE 4-2: MAINTAIN, PRESERVE AND REHABILITATE THE EXISTING HOUSING STOCK IN THE CITY OF PORTOLA.
• Policy 4-2-1: Provide technical and financial assistance to eligible homeowners and residential property owners to rehabilitate existing dwelling units through grants or low interest loans. To the extent possible, housing rehabilitation funds should be used first to correct health and safety code violations.

Program 1: Continue to make available and market the City’s rehabilitation revolving loan program in conjunction with PCCDC. NEXT STEPS: Apply for CDBG single-family housing rehabilitation funds. Rehabilitate 5 units during the five-year lifespan of the Housing Element.

Responsibility: City Manager’s Office
Timing: Annually funding applications with funding cycle, ongoing marketing of programs.

Program 2: The City will explore available federal, state, and regional programs that support the preservation of at-risk affordable housing, including technical assistance, acquisition financing, and capital improvement funds, and will maintain contact with agencies such as HCD and USDA as needed.

Responsibility: City Manager’s Office & Planning Dept.

Quantified Objective: Maintain communication with property managers and qualified entities; monitor status of 66 at-risk units; identify applicable preservation programs Timing: Begin outreach and program research by 2026; identify potential preservation strategy at least one year before the earliest expiration date (2029).
• Policy 4-2-2: Provide technical and financial assistance as available to all eligible multi-family complex owners to rehabilitate existing dwelling units through low interest or deferred loans.

Program 1: Promote program(s) to acquire and rehabilitate dilapidated and older single-family homes and apartment complexes, and maintain these units as affordable on a long-term basis, targeting rural lower resource areas, at-risk communities, seniors, and persons with a disability. Ongoing review of funding sources with a goal of at least one funding application every 2 years for viable programs. Grant activity will be based on units being affordable to low- and moderate-income households.

Responsibility: City Manager’s Office with the assistance of the PCCDC Quantified Objective: Apply for at least one funding application every 2 years.

Timing: Review annually.
• Policy 4-2-3: Monitor the Status of At-Risk Units and Inform Agencies Able to Pursue Purchase Program 1: Notify qualified housing entities and interested parties in accordance with State noticing requirements when any at-risk units are identified within the City limits. Post the City’s inventory of at-risk units on the City’s website and provide a link from the City’s website to the California Housing Partnership’s list. The City will make available relevant property and contact information and will coordinate, to the extent feasible,

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with qualified nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and other entities interested in acquiring and preserving such developments. The City will also assist by providing letters of support or referrals to potential funding sources, where appropriate, to aid in the preservation of at-risk units for extremely low- to moderate-income households.

Responsibility: City Manager’s Office with the assistance of the PCCDC Quantified Objective: Monitor 25 units of affordable housing that may be at-risk of conversion.

Timing: Review and update inventory annually; provide notification and coordination as required. • Policy 4-2-4: Provide Educational Materials for Tenants of At-Risk Housing Developments Program 1: The City will acquire existing information published by HDC summarizing the timelines and requirements associated with converting subsidized housing to market rates. The City will gather and make available to its residents information identifying local agencies that provide tenant relocation assistance and rental subsidies. This information will be provided on the City’s webpage and at the front counter. In addition, the City will comply with State noticing requirements when subsidized units are identified as at-risk of conversion and will coordinate, to the extent feasible, with qualified nonprofit housing organizations and public agencies interested in preserving such units. The City will also assist tenants by making referrals to local service providers and, when appropriate, supporting funding efforts to preserve affordable housing.

Responsibility: City Manager’s Office
Quantified Objective: Ensure the information is posted and available.

Timing: Annual review of material and website/front counter information.

GOAL 5: PROVIDE HOUSING FREE FROM DISCRIMINATION
It is the goal of the City of Portola to ensure that all existing and future housing opportunities are open and available to all members of the community without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin or ancestry, marital status, age, household composition or size, or any other arbitrary factors.

OBJECTIVE 5-1: ELIMINATE HOUSING DISCRIMINATION.
• Policy 5-1-1: Support the letter and spirit of equal housing opportunity laws.

Program 1: Require that all recipients of locally administered housing assistance funds acknowledge their understanding of fair housing law and affirm their commitment to the law.

Responsibility: City Manager’s Office and City Attorney Timing: Ongoing
Program 2: Annually update fair housing materials, including all pertinent resource, posters and information available through the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to educate on a variety of fair housing issues, targeting rural lower resource areas, at-risk communities, seniors, and persons with a disability. Develop information flyers and brochures that highlight (1) disability provisions of both federal and state fair housing laws and (2) familial status discrimination. Fair housing materials, pamphlets and flyers will be distributed at outreach events including school fairs, health fairs, and City-sponsored events. Disseminate information throughout the City in a variety of locations through a variety of methods and establish partnerships to assist with implementation. Collaborate with and outreach to service

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agencies to develop partnerships, including Plumas Housing Council and Sierra Nevada Journeys, to distribute educational materials. Maintain updated information on the City’s website.

Responsibility: City Manager’s Office
Timing: Update annually in December; Ongoing distribution of updated material at the front counter and at various community outreach events throughout the year. Contact service agencies annually, including Plumas Housing Council and Sierra Nevada Journeys regarding partnerships.

Program 3: Continue to refer all housing discrimination referrals to the City Manager or designee who will provide information, assist in completing a complaint form, or refer the complainant to the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing as appropriate.

Responsibility: City Manager’s Office
Quantified Objective: Assist any residents who request assistance Timing: Ongoing
Program 4: Establish Formal Reasonable Accommodation Policy The City will adopt a formal reasonable accommodation policy to ensure that individuals with disabilities have a clear and accessible process for requesting exceptions to zoning, land use, and permitting requirements. The policy will outline the general steps for submitting a request, include a timeline for responding to requests, and designate a staff person to assist individuals with disabilities throughout the process.

Responsibility: City Manager’s Office
Quantified Objective: Adopt a formal reasonable accommodation policy and designate staff to support applicants
Timing: Ongoing
GOAL 6: ENCOURAGE AND ENHANCE COORDINATION
It is the goal of the City of Portola to coordinate local housing efforts with appropriate federal, state, regional, and local governments and/or agencies and to cooperate in the implementation of intergovernmental housing programs to ensure maximum effectiveness in solving local and regional housing problems.

OBJECTIVE 6-1: ASSIST THE PLUMAS COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION TO MEET THE

GROWING DEMAND FOR PUBLIC HOUSING UNITS AND RENTAL ASSISTANCE THROUGH THE VOUCHER PROGRAMS.
• Policy 6-1-1: Continue to support the efforts of the Plumas County Community Development Commission in its administration of certificates and vouchers.

Program 1: Maintain membership in the Housing Authority to qualify City residents for Section 8- existing housing assistance administered by the PCCDC. Provide information on the availability of County programs to qualified residents. Maintain information on the City’s website.

Responsibility: City Manager’s Office and City Council
Timing: Ongoing, annually

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OBJECTIVE 6-2: MAXIMIZE COORDINATION AND COOPERATION AMONG HOUSING PROVIDERS AND PROGRAM MANAGERS.
• Policy 6-2-1: Continue to support non-profit organizations in the development of affordable housing Program 1: Assist federal, state, non-profit housing organizations, and/or other entities to provide new singlefamily and multi-family residential units for very low-income residents, by providing research and staff support for grant and development opportunities, as needed.

Responsibility: City Manager’s Office
Quantified Objective: Assist one affordable housing organization during the planning period.

Timing: Ongoing, as needed

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APPENDIX A
Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Analysis, 7th Cycle Housing Element

1 Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing
Analysis, 7th Cycle Housing Element

CITY OF PORTOLA
March 2026

2 Assessment of Fair Housing:

City of Portola

INTRODUCTION
Assembly Bill (AB) 686 requires that all housing elements due on or after January 1, 2021, contain an Assessment of Fair Housing (AFH) consistent with the core elements of the analysis required by the federal Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) Final Rule of July 16, 2015. Under California law, AFFH means “taking meaningful actions, in addition to combating discrimination, that overcome patterns of segregation and foster inclusive communities free from barriers that restrict access to opportunity based on protected characteristics” (CA Govt Code § 8899.50). California Government Code Section 65583 (10)(A)(ii) requires local jurisdictions to analyze racially or ethnically concentrated areas of poverty, disparities in access to opportunity, and disproportionate housing needs, including displacement risk.

This section is organized by fair housing topics. For each topic, the regional and local assessments are addressed. Through discussions with housing service providers, fair housing advocates, and this assessment of fair housing issues, The City of Portola identified factors that contribute to fair housing issues. These contributing factors are in Table 14, Factors Contributing to Fair Housing Issues, later in this document, with associated actions to meaningfully affirmatively further fair housing related to these factors. Additional programs to affirmatively further fair housing are in the housing element.

This section also includes an analysis of the Housing Element’s sites inventory as compared with fair housing factors. The location of housing in relation to resources and opportunities is integral to addressing disparities in housing needs and opportunity and to fostering inclusive communities where all residents have access to opportunity. This is particularly important for lower‐income households. AB 686 added a new requirement for housing elements to analyze the distribution of projected units by income category and access to high resource areas and other fair housing indicators compared to citywide patterns to understand how the projected locations of units will affirmatively further fair housing.

SEGREGATION AND INTEGRATION
This section analyzes integration and segregation, including patterns and trends, related to people with protected characteristics with an emphasis on race, disability, familial status and income.

Race
Understanding the racial makeup of a city and region is important for designing and implementing effective housing policies and programs. This understanding also helps in identifying the specific needs and challenges faced by different racial and ethnic communities. These patterns are shaped by both market factors and government actions, such as exclusionary zoning, discriminatory lending practices, and displacement that has occurred over time and continues to impact communities of color

3 today. Ultimately, a comprehensive understanding of race and ethnicity in relation to housing can help create more equitable and inclusive communities.

Table 1 shows the population by race and ethnicity in Plumas County based on the 2017-2021 ACS and compared to Lassen, Sierra, and Modoc Counties as well as the State. As shown in Table 1, the predominant race or ethnic group was the White, Not Hispanic or Latino population in the majority of unincorporated and incorporated areas in all four counties. In particular, more than 80 percent of the Plumas County population is White, not Hispanic, although this ratio has slightly decreased between 2010 and 2021. Regionally, this is also the case in Sierra and Modoc Counties. It is notable that there has been a marginal rise in the Hispanic/Latino population in Plumas County while the percentage of population that identified as other racial or ethnic groups including Black/African American, Native American, Asian, and others slightly decreased. In contrast, the Hispanic or Latino community in Lassen County makes up a higher percentage of the population than in Plumas, Sierra, or Modoc Counties, particularly in Susanville (Figure 1).

Compared to Plumas County, the City of Portola is also predominantly White, not Hispanic or Latino, but has a higher percentage of community members that identify as Hispanic or Latino (19.6 percent compared to 8.4 percent of the unincorporated areas of the county). This percentage has also increased by 3.3 percentage points since 2010, and the percentage of the population that is White, not Hispanic or Latino, has decreased. This pattern is also found in the demographic population of the State.

Locally, there are no areas of the city that are considered to be concentrated minority communities, nor are there areas known to have particularly low concentrations of minority residents.

4 TABLE 1: POPULATION BY RACE/ETHNICITY
Race/
Ethnicity
Portola
Plumas
County
(Unincorporated)
Plumas
County Loyalton Sierra County Susanville Lassen County Alturas Modoc County State 2010 2021 2010 2020 2010 2021 2010 2021 2010 2021 2010 2021 2010 2021 2010 2021 2010 2021 2010 2021 White, Not
Hispanic or Latino 78.5% 74.9% 85.8% 83.5% 85.1% 82.6% 80.9% 92.5% 88.1% 87.4% 55.4% 50.4% 66.7% 64.2% 80.9% 68.9% 79.0% 76.6% 41.5% 36.0% Hispanic/
Latino 16.3% 19.6% 7.1% 8.4% 8.0% 9.6% 14.0% 6.4% 8.3% 11.2% 23.7% 28.3% 17.5% 19.7% 12.3% 21.9% 13.9% 15.2% 37.0% 39.8% Black or African
American, Not
Hispanic or Latino

0.6% 0.0% 0.9% 1.7% 0.9% 1.5% 0.3% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 12.4% 13.6% 8.0% 8.3% 0.5% 4.2% 0.8% 2.0% 5.9% 5.5% Native American,
Not Hispanic or
Latino

2.0% 0.5% 2.3% 1.3% 2.3% 1.2% 2.6% 0.6% 1.3% 0.9% 2.8% 1.9% 2.9% 2.3% 2.1% 1.7% 3.0% 3.4% 0.4% 0.3% Asian, Not Hispanic
or Latino 0.5% 0.5% 0.7% 0.6% 0.6% 0.7% 0.0% 0.0% 0.4% 0.0% 1.0% 1.8% 1.0% 1.5% 1.4% 0.0% 0.7% 0.8% 12.9% 14.8% Other, Not
Hispanic or Latino 0.1% 0.0% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.1% 0.0% 0.0% 0.1% 0.0% 2.6% 1.5% 1.5% 1.2% 0.3% 0.0% 0.3% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Two or More Races 2.0% 4.5% 3.0% 4.3% 2.9% 4.3% 2.2% 0.4% 1.7% 0.4% 2.1% 2.5% 2.4% 2.8% 2.5% 3.3% 2.3% 2.0% 2.3% 3.6% Source: 2006-2010 ACS Data, 2017-2021 ACD Data, P9

5 FIGURE 1: PREDOMINANT POPULATION, PLUMAS COUNTY

6 Disability
Persons with disabilities typically have special housing needs due to physical or developmental capabilities, fixed or limited incomes, and higher health costs associated with disabilities. Seniors typically experience disabilities at higher rates than the general population.

As shown in Table 2, in Plumas County more than half of residents with disabilities report experiencing ambulatory difficulties (55.3 percent); this is the most commonly reported type of disability. The second most commonly reported disability in the county is cognitive difficulties, with 35.7 percent of residents with disabilities reporting this type of disability. Independent living difficulties were the third most common in the county, with 28.8 percent of residents with a disability reporting this type of disability. These patterns are mirrored in the statewide total of individuals with disabilities. Just under half of persons in the state having one or more types of disabilities (48.4 percent) experience ambulatory difficulties, and difficulties related to cognitive ability and independent living are followed closely at 39.6 percent and 39.3 percent, respectively. Northern areas of the unincorporated county, including the communities of Chester and Greenville, tend to have higher rates of residents with disabilities compared to the southern areas around Portola and Quincy (Figure 2).

In Portola, the most commonly reported disability is cognitive difficulty; as of 2021, just over half of residents with a disability report having this type of disability (57.4 percent). This has become a more common disability type since 2012, when only 33.0 percent of residents of Portola reported cognitive difficulties. Independent living difficulties were the second most common, with

41.2 percent of residents with disabilities reporting this type of disability. Ambulatory difficulties were slightly less common, with

39.2 percent of residents with disabilities reporting this disability type.

Regionally, ambulatory difficulties are the most commonly reported types of disability in Lassen and Sierra Counties as well, suggesting that Plumas County does not have a disproportionate concentration of residents with this disability type. Rates of this disability type are also similar between Plumas, Lassen, and Sierra Counties, with over half of residents with disabilities in each county reporting this disability type.

Locally, there are no areas or neighborhoods in the city with known concentrations of persons with disabilities, nor are there any concentrations of group homes or residential care facilities. There have been no requests for reasonable accommodation during the last planning period, and one recent permit issued for the construction of a ramp or other accessibility modification.

7 TABLE 2: POPULATION BY DISABILITY TYPE
Disability
Portola
Plumas County
(Unincorporated)Plumas County Susanville Lassen County Loyalton Sierra County Alturas Modoc County State 2012 2021 2012 2021 2012 2021 2012 2021 2012 2021 2012 2021 2012 2021 2012 2021 2012 2021 2012 2021 Total with a
Disability
548 408 2,997 2,810 3,545 3,218 1,665 1,160 3,872 3,939 144 91 454 411 503 485 1,916 1,520 3,693,528 4,324,355 Hearing Difficulty 23.5% 15.2% 40.5% 28.0% 37.9% 26.4% 25.8% 28.1% 27.8% 30.4% 34.7% 7.7% 24.7% 20.4% 40.0% 33.7% 35.3% 28.9% 27.9% 26.4% Vision Difficulty 19.0% 27.0% 12.1% 8.4% 13.2% 10.7% 16.0% 24.0% 17.2% 16.5% 23.6% 1.1% 10.8% 5.1% 19.5% 18.0% 18.4% 14.9% 18.7% 19.5% Cognitive
Difficulty 33.0% 57.4% 34.8% 32.6% 34.5% 35.7% 41.6% 32.3% 35.2% 30.9% 32.6% 35.2% 39.2% 38.2% 40.8% 34.3% 36.0% 30.7% 38.2% 39.6% Ambulatory
Difficulty 57.3% 39.2% 52.7% 57.6% 53.4% 55.3% 47.3% 54.5% 54.4% 58.0% 61.1% 81.3% 64.3% 65.9% 42.5% 54.0% 51.0% 66.0% 53.1% 48.4% Self-care
Difficulty 19.5% 14.7% 16.3% 21.7% 16.8% 20.8% 14.5% 34.3% 14.6% 29.3% 22.2% 20.9% 18.7% 30.7% 22.1% 26.2% 25.1% 16.1% 23.4% 22.5% Independent
Living 35.2% 41.2% 29.5% 27.0% 30.4% 28.8% 29.4% 49.7% 28.5% 46.1% 32.6% 58.2% 44.1% 65.5% 32.6% 29.7% 30.5% 54.2% 39.4% 39.3% Source: ACS 2008-2012, 2017-2021, S1810

8 FIGURE 2: RATES OF DISABILITY, PLUMAS COUNTY

9 Familial Status
Patterns of familial status present a potential indicator of fair housing issues related to availability of appropriately sized or priced housing when certain family types are concentrated. Concentrations of family types may also occur as a result of discrimination by housing providers, such as against families with children or unmarried partners. Furthermore, single-parent, female headed households are considered to have a greater risk of experiencing poverty than single-parent, male-headed households due to factors including the gender wage gap and difficulty in securing higher-wage jobs.

Table 3, Population by Familial Status, shows that Plumas County has a higher proportion of family households than nonfamily households. Regionally, this is also true of Lassen, Sierra, and Modoc Counties. Countywide, the percentage of family households has increased in 2021 compared to 2010, though the percentage decreased within the City of Portola. Regionally, higher rates of family households in unincorporated areas compared to cities are also seen in Lassen and Modoc Counties. Statewide, a higher percentage of households are also family households. The distribution of household types has remained steady between the years of 2010 and 2021.

The percentage of family households that are female-headed, single-parent households has remained relatively steady in Plumas County between 2010 and 2021. The share of family households of this type within the City of Portola has increased significantly during this time period (12.2 percent in 2010 to 24.7 percent in 2021), but the extreme nature of this increase is due in part to a decrease in the overall number of family households in the city during this time. The total number of families of this type in Portola increased from 103 families to 138 between 2010 and 2021. In unincorporated areas, there has been a 29.3 percent decrease in the number of families of this type between 2010 and 2021 compared to the 34.0 percent increase in the City of Portola, suggesting an increased preference for residing in incorporated areas, potentially to be in closer proximity to services.

As shown in Figure 3, other, smaller concentrations of children in female-headed households with no spouse present are located in the Quincy and Chester areas. Regionally, Plumas County has a similar percentage of families that are female-headed, singleparent households compared to Lassen County, where there has also been a decrease in this family type over time. However, the City of Susanville in Lassen County has not seen the same increase in this family type that Portola has experienced.

The area near the commercial core of the city (Commercial Street and Sierra Avenue) typically has smaller homes than other areas of Portola. These homes were originally built by Western Pacific Railroad in the early 20th century.

When comparing different areas of the city, there are no differences in where child care facilities are located. There is one Head Start program, “Portola Center”, located at C. Roy Carmichael Elementary operated by Sierra Cascade Family Opportunities (SCFO).

10 TABLE 3: POPULATION BY FAMILIAL STATUS
Familial Status
Portola Plumas County
(Unincorporated)
Plumas
County Susanville Lassen County Loyalton Sierra County Alturas Modoc County State 2010 2021 2010 2021 2010 2021 2010 2021 2010 2021 2010 2021 2010 2021 2010 2021 2010 2021 2010 2021 Family
Households 66.3% 57.0% 60.4% 64.0% 61.2% 63.1% 61.9% 60.6% 66.7% 69.3% 59.8% 64.8% 60.5% 63.2% 64.0% 58.5% 64.9% 64.9% 68.6% 68.6% Non-family
Households 33.7% 43.0% 39.6% 36.0% 38.8% 36.9% 38.1% 39.4% 33.3% 30.7% 40.2% 35.2% 39.5% 36.8% 36.0% 41.5% 35.1% 35.1% 31.4% 31.4% Percent of
Families That are
Female-Headed
Single-Parent
Households

12.2% 24.7% 10.1% 8.2% 10.4% 10.0% 14.7% 13.6% 12.6% 11.3% 8.2% 3.5% 6.0% 4.0% 24.4% 7.8% 11.2% 7.9% 12.5% 10.7% Source: ACS 2006-2010, 2017-2021

11 FIGURE 3: PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN IN FEMALE-HEADED HOUSEHOLDS,

PLUMAS COUNTY

12 Income
Table 4, Households by Median Income, shows the median income by geographic location. According to the 2017-2021 ACS, Plumas County had a lower median income than the state median income ($84,097). Regionally, this was also true in Lassen, Sierra, and Modoc Counties. Compared to Plumas, Sierra, Lassen, and Modoc Counties and their incorporated cities, Portola has the lowest median income at $45,234. However, Plumas is not the lowest-income county in this region, which suggests that lower-income households in the county may be concentrated in Portola. Higher-income census tracts in Plumas County include the communities of Quincy and Chester as well as the southwest side of the county (Figure 4).

This is also reflected in the percentage of households with incomes below the poverty level, as shown in Table 5. As with the percentage of family households that are female-headed, single-parent households, the growth in the percentage of residents in Portola with incomes below the poverty level is exacerbated by a decrease in the overall population. However, there has been a 38.7 percent increase in the total number of residents in Portola with incomes below the poverty level between 2012 and 2021.

Countywide and in the unincorporated areas, there has been a decrease in the percentage of the population with incomes below the poverty level. Within the county, areas with lower levels of poverty include the southwest side of the county; a small section of the north side of the county to the east of Chester; and the census tract just southwest of Lake Almanor, where fewer than 10 percent of residents had incomes below the poverty line (Figure 5).

This decrease in the percentage of residents with incomes below the poverty level is also apparent regionally. Lassen County and Susanville experienced a high poverty rate in 2012, but it has slightly decreased in 2021. The most notable shift in poverty rates is observed in Sierra County. While the poverty level in Sierra County has experienced a significant drop from 16.8 percent to 8.2 percent, Loyalton City has seen a rise to 17.3 percent, a 5.5 percentage point increase from 2012. This is similar to the pattern seen in Plumas County. In contrast, both the unincorporated area of Modoc County and Modoc County as a whole have seen their poverty rates rise to 20.5 percent and 19.6 percent, respectively. However, the city of Alturas stands as an exception within this county, with a decrease in its poverty rate down to 17.6 percent in 2020.

The commercial core area on the south side of town (south of the Feather River) has older, smaller homes. This could be considered to be a lower-income area. There are some areas at the fringe of the City with newer homes that are on larger lots.

These areas are considered to be higher-income areas.

The commercial core area on the south side of town has a higher concentration of HCV/Section 8 housing, as well as the apartment buildings on the north side (north side of the Feather River). There are no publicly-financed affordable housing projects in the city.

13 TABLE 4: HOUSEHOLDS BY MEDIAN INCOME
Geography
Median Income
2010 2021
Portola $35,339 $45,234
Plumas County $44,000 $57,885
Susanville $45,198 $53,750
Lassen County $50,317 $59,292
Loyalton $49,340 $79,185
Sierra County $52,950 $56,152
Alturas $32,385 $50,843
Modoc County $34,588 $51,090
State $60,883 $84,097
Source: ACS 2006-2010, ACS 2017-2021, B01002
TABLE 5: POVERTY RATE
Geography
Poverty Rate
2012 2021
Portola 13.8% 23.1%
Plumas County (Unincorporated) 13.9% 10.4%
Plumas County 13.9% 11.9%
Susanville 19.5% 17.3%
Lassen County 15.4% 13.9%
Loyalton 11.8% 17.3%
Sierra County 16.8% 8.2%
Alturas 26.2% 17.6%
Modoc County 18.8% 19.6%
State 15.3% 12.3%
Source: ACS 2008-2012 & 2017-2021 S1701

14 FIGURE 4: MEDAN INCOME BY CENSUS TRACT, PLUMAS COUNTY

15 FIGURE 5: RATES OF RESIDENTS WITH INCOMES BELOW POVERTY, PLUMAS COUNTY

16 CONCENTRATED AREAS OF POVERTY AND AFFLUENCE
Racially/Ethnically Concentrated Areas of Poverty
Racially or Ethnically Concentrated Areas of Poverty (R/ECAP) or areas of High Segregation and Poverty are areas that exhibit both high racial/ethnic concentrations and high poverty rates. HUD defines R/ECAPs as census tracts with a majority non-White population (50 percent or more) and a poverty rate that exceeds 40 percent or is three times the average poverty rate for the county, whichever is lower. HCD defines areas of High Segregation and Poverty as census tracts that have an overrepresentation of people of color compared to the county as a whole, and at least 30.0 percent of the population in these areas is below the federal poverty line ($30,000 annually for a family of four in 2023). R/ECAPs or areas of High Segregation and Poverty may indicate the presence of disadvantaged households facing housing insecurity and need. They identify areas whose residents may have faced historical discrimination and who continue to experience economic hardship, furthering entrenched inequities in these communities. There are no R/ECAPs or areas of High Segregation and Poverty in the county, including all cities and communities.

Racially Concentrated Areas of Affluence
Racially or Ethnically Concentrated Areas of Affluence (RCAA) are neighborhoods in which there are both high concentrations of non-Hispanic White households and high household income rates. Based on research from the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs, RCAAs are defined as census tracts where 80 percent or more of the population is white, and the median household income is $125,000 or greater (which is slightly more than double the national median household income in 2016).

HCD further adjusted the RCAA methodology to track more closely with California’s higher levels of diversity by setting the white population threshold to 50 percent. There are no RCAAs in the county, including all cities and communities.

17 DISPARITIES IN ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY
Since 2017, the Tax Credit Allocation Committee (TCAC) and California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) have developed annual maps of access to resources such as high‐paying job opportunities; proficient schools; safe and clean neighborhoods; and other healthy economic, social, and environmental indicators to provide evidence‐based research for policy recommendations. This effort has been dubbed “opportunity mapping” and is available to all jurisdictions to assess access to opportunities within their community.

The TCAC/HCD Opportunity Maps can help to identify areas within the community that provide strong access to opportunity for residents or, conversely, provide low access to opportunity. The information from the opportunity mapping can help to highlight the need for housing element policies and programs that would help to remediate conditions in low‐resource areas and areas of high segregation and poverty and to encourage better access for lower‐income households and communities of color to housing in high‐resource areas. TCAC/HCD categorized census tracts into high‐, moderate‐, or low‐resource areas based on a composite score of economic, educational, and environmental factors that can perpetuate poverty and segregation, such as school proficiency, median income, and median housing prices. The 2023 TCAC/HCD Opportunity Maps compare each tract to those within the council of governments (COG) region.

Areas designated as “highest resource” are the 20.0 percent highest‐scoring census tracts in the region. It is expected that residents in these census tracts have access to the best outcomes in terms of health, economic opportunities, and educational attainment. Census tracts designated “high resource” score in the 21st to 40th percentile compared to the region. Residents of these census tracts have access to highly positive outcomes for health, economic, and education attainment. “Moderate resource” areas are in the top 30.0 percent of the remaining census tracts in the region, and those designated as “moderate resource (rapidly changing)” have experienced rapid increases in key indicators of opportunity, such as increasing median income, home values, and an increase in job opportunities. Residents in these census tracts have access to either somewhat positive outcomes in terms of health, economic attainment, and education, or positive outcomes in a certain area (e.g., score high for health, education) but not all areas (e.g., may score poorly for economic attainment). “Low‐resource” areas score in the bottom 30.0 percent of census tracts and indicate a lack of access to positive outcomes and opportunities. The final designation are those areas identified as having “high segregation and poverty”; these are census tracts that have an overrepresentation of people of color compared to the region as a whole, and at least 30.0 percent of the population in these areas is below the federal poverty line ($19,720 for a two‐person household and $30,000 annually for a family of four in 2023).

As is shown in Figure 6, the highest-resource areas of the county are in the north, including the areas surrounding the unincorporated community of Chester. The census tract in the south-central area of the county, which includes the unincorporated community of Graeagle, is considered a high-resource area. The unincorporated communities of Quincy and East Quincy are within the area of the county that was identified as a moderate-resource area, as was the southwest side of the county. The remainder of the county, including the city of Portola and the unincorporated community of Greenville, is considered a low-resource community. The area along State Route 70 is also considered a low-resource area. All of Portola is within a lowresource area.

18 FIGURE 6: TCAC OPPORTUNITY AREAS, 2023, PLUMAS COUNTY

19 Education
As shown in Table 6, School Performance, most schools in Plumas County have student performance scores below grade standards on standardized tests. Plumas Charter has the highest performance among the schools, but standardized test scores in these schools are still 11 and 33.8 points below the state standard in English Language Arts and Mathematics, respectively. At this school, 37.3 percent of students are considered socioeconomically disadvantaged. Greenville Junior/Senior High School has the lowest standardized test score in the same subjects, 131.1 points and 147.4 points below the state standard, and 87.5 percent of enrolled students come from a socioeconomically disadvantaged background, which may impact their academic performance.

Below-standard scores on standardized tests are also common throughout other counties in the region, including schools in Lassen County, Sierra County, and Modoc County.

Few schools in Plumas County have high percentages of students who are English language learners (ELL). The two schools with the highest percentages of ELLs in the county are both in Portola at Portola Junior/Senior High School and C. Roy Carmichael Elementary (12.0 percent and 9.8 percent of students, respectively). The third-highest is Greenville Junior/Senior High School, where 6.3 percent of students are ELLs. The remaining schools in the county have 5 percent or fewer students who are ELLs.

Chronic absenteeism is a notable issue in many of the county’s public schools that serve students between kindergarten and eighth grade. For example, at C. Roy Carmichael Elementary, 83.3 percent of students are reported as being chronically absent, indicating that they were absent for 10 percent or more of the school days for which they were enrolled. Plumas Charter is the only school in the county where fewer than 40 percent of students are chronically absent.

School locations in the county are concentrated in the city of Portola and the communities of Quincy, Greenville, and Chester.

The county also has three continuation high schools, with two located in Chester and one located in Portola, which help nontraditional high school students to regain credits and complete high school. Standardized test scores for these schools are not reported due to the small number of students. These schools also tend to have particularly high percentages of socioeconomically disadvantaged students.

Locally, there is one public school zone for the entire city (one elementary school and one Jr./Sr. High School) and all students attending public schools attend the same schools. Because of this, there is no difference in access to quality schools. There is one charter school in Portola that serves grades Transitional Kindergarten through 12th grade. There have been no past or current local efforts to improve access to education opportunities. There are no known factors that influence the current rates of high school graduation or college attendance. There are tutoring services and educational resources through the local schools. There are no differences between neighborhoods with regard to accessing these services.

There are no higher education facilities or vocational opportunities in the City. Feather River College is a community college in the unincorporated community of Quincy in Plumas County, located approximately 35 miles from Portola. There are a wide variety of higher education and vocational opportunities in Reno, Nevada, located approximately 50 miles from Portola.

20 TABLE 6: SCHOOL PERFORMANCE
School Name Location
ELA Score
(Points Above
or Below
Standard)
Math Score
(Points Above
or Below
Standard)
Chronic Absence
(Percent of
Students
Chronically
Absent)
Suspension
Rate (Percent
Suspended at
Least One
Day)
SocioEconomic
Disadvantage
(Percent of
Students)
English
Learners
(Percent of
Students)
Foster
Youth
(Percent of
Students)
C. Roy Carmichael
Elementary Portola 30.8 points below 42.3 points below 83.3% 3.1% 73.7% 9.8% 0.6% Chester Junior/
Senior High Chester 48.2 points below 90.5 points below 47.9% 17.4% 66.7% 1.5% 0.8% Almanor High
(Continuation) Chester Fewer than 11 students - data not displayed for privacy reasons 100.0% 0.0% 0.0% Beckwourth (Jim)
High (Continuation) Portola Fewer than 11 students - data not displayed for privacy reasons 83.3% 0.0% 0.0% Plumas Charter Quincy 11 points below 33.8 points below 7.9% 0.0% 37.3% 0.0% 0.0% Almanor High
(Continuation) Chester Fewer than 11 students - data not displayed for privacy reasons 100.0% 0.0% 0.0% Greenville Junior/
Senior High Greenville 131.1 points below
147.4 points
below 60.0% 38.5% 87.5% 6.3% 3.1%
Quincy Elementary Quincy 52.9 points below
standard

58.9 points below
standard 59.9% 3.6% 58.6% 0.6% 0.9%
Chester Elementary Chester 58.6 points below 68.2 points below 57.4% 9.1% 67.1% 4.9% 1.2% Portola Junior/
Senior High Portola 67.7 points below 99.1 points below 78.0% 6.6% 69.0% 12.0% 0.4% Quincy Junior/
Senior High Quincy 44.3 points below 105 points below 48.7% 12.9% 49.4% 0.9% 1.8% Source: California Schools Dashboard, 2023

21 Economic
The TCAC Opportunity Analysis identifies geographic disparities in access to opportunities based on Economic Domain scores, which incorporate various indicators like poverty, adult education, employment, job proximity, and median home value. Scores below 0.2 signify less positive economic conditions, and scores exceeding 0.8 indicate more positive economic conditions.

In Plumas County, the central regions of the county have scores ranging from 0 to 0.4, indicating relatively negative economic outcomes. The eastern side, which includes Portola, has higher scores ranging from 0.6 to 0.8. Additionally, there are some areas on the north and south sides of the county with scores ranging from 0.8 to 1.0, indicating more positive economic outcomes.

Regionally, In Lassen County, most areas on the west and north sides of the county have economic scores between 0 and 0.7.

However, the center of the county, where Susanville is located, shows a wide range of economic conditions, ranging from 0.2 to 1.

The areas that border Plumas County demonstrate the most positive economic outcomes. Sierra County's economic performance is below 0.2. This is in line with the economic conditions of neighboring counties like Yuba, Nevada, and Placer, which underscores the regional nature of these economic disparities. In contrast, Modoc County has the most positive economic outcomes. Despite the fact that scores between 0.2 and 0.4 are recorded on the west side of the county, significant parts of the county, including the City of Alturas, fall within the 0.8 to 1 range, the highest score category in the TCAC Opportunity Analysis.

Locally, Portola is a small city of only 2.24 square miles. There is no difference in access to economic opportunities throughout the City. Major employers in Portola include the Plumas Unified School District, Eastern Plumas Health Care (EPHC) District Hospital, Plumas Sierra Rural Electric Coop (PSREC). Many residents who work outside of Portola drive to Quincy, Plumas County, located approximately 35 miles from Portola and Reno, Nevada, located approximately 50 miles from Portola. There have been no new areas of commercial or industrial development in the city, nor any commercial or industrial areas that have fallen out of use. There are no economic development programs or initiatives planned or in place that might influence the jobs landscape in the next ten years.

22 Transportation and Infrastructure
Plumas Transit offers fixed-route service Monday through Friday during scheduled times. Specific pick up service is available for persons with disabilities that would otherwise prevent them from traveling to scheduled stops. There are two routes: Westbound Portola to Quincy and Eastbound Quincy to Portola. According to the Plumas Transit website, a new Dial-a-ride service is coming soon. Additionally, for medical care, Eastern Plumas Health Care provide paramedic-level emergency ambulance service to the City of Portola. There is no difference in transit access depending on where residents live or the industry that residents work in, as the City is 2.24 square miles.

Some local roads (approximately 20 percent of roads) have street lights throughout town, with a greater concentration along Commercial Street and Sierra Avenue in the City’s commercial core. There is only one traffic signal in town, located at the intersection of Sierra Avenue and Gulling Street. There are bike lanes installed along A-15, West Street, Joy Way, and the Riverwalk.

Portola completed a Safe Routes to School project to C. Roy Carmichael Elementary School. Sidewalks are not available on many rural streets. There is no difference between neighborhoods with regard to transportation options; all neighborhoods have access to public infrastructure for driving, biking, and walking, and public transit.

Portola is intensifying efforts to address the pervasive issue of potholes on City streets. Aging infrastructure has been damaged by snowstorms and winter conditions. Repairs are prioritized based on urgency and roadway classification. Recent infrastructure improvements were made to Joy Way and A-15. Willow Springs (New wells were installed at Willow Springs to increase water supply, and interior and exterior resurfacing has been completed on the water tank. There was a recent rehabilitation project at the North lift station. There have also been recent park improvements, including tennis court resurfacing, and basketball and volleyball court resurfacing. The City is also aware of scouring on the Gulling Street Bridge, which connects the north side and south side. Efforts are underway to determine appropriate improvements. There is no difference in infrastructure availability or quality between neighborhoods or unincorporated communities. There are no known high-collision corridors or areas that have high traffic on a regular basis.

Several major community facilities are available, including Baldwin Park, Williams House Museum/Portola Visitor’s Center, Riverwalk, Disc Golf Course, West End Park, Community Pool, Eastern Plumas Health Care Center, City Park, and the Western Pacific Railroad Museum. There is no difference in access to these facilities between different areas of the city. Facilities are available throughout the community, which is 2.24 square miles. The walking distance between Baldwin Park on the north side of the City and City Park on the south side of the City is one mile.

All Transit
AllTransit is a transit and connectivity analytic tool developed by the Center for Neighborhood Technology for the advancement of equitable communities and urban sustainability. The tool analyzes the transit frequency, routes, and access to determine an overall transit score at the city, county, and regional levels. AllTransit scores geographic regions (e.g., cities, counties, Metropolitan Statistical Areas) on a scale of 0 to 10, with a score of 10 indicating complete transit connectivity.

As shown in Table 7, AllTransit scores for Portola and Plumas County are slightly higher than those of nearby Sierra and Modoc Counties, with both the city and county scoring 0.7. In Portola, on average, households have 417 jobs accessible within a 30- minute trip, and 20 transit trips are available per week within ½ mile. Regionally, AllTransit scores are lower in Loyalton, Sierra County, Alturas, and Modoc County. Susanville and Lassen County have the highest scores, at 2.5 and 0.9, respectively. Susanville

23 has a more connected transit system that provides better equal access to workplaces and other destinations than the surrounding region.

TABLE 7: ALLTRANSIT SCORES BY COUNTY AND JURISDICTION
Jurisdiction AllTransit Score
Portola 0.7
Plumas County 0.7
Susanville 2.5
Lassen County 0.9
Loyalton 0
Sierra County 0
Alturas 0.6
Modoc County 0.3
State 5.1
Source: All Transit, accessed April 2024

24 Environment
The California Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) developed the CalEnviroScreen 4.0 web-based mapping tool to help identify California communities that are disproportionately burdened by multiple sources of pollution. CalEnviroScreen uses 21 indicators of environmental, health, and socioeconomic conditions to help identify these communities. The scores are mapped so that different communities can be compared. An area with a high score experiences much higher pollution and/or population burdens than areas with low scores.

Plumas County demonstrates relatively positive environmental conditions with CalEnviroScreen scores. Scores are most positive in the southwest part of the county and least positive in the census tract that includes the community of Greenville (see Figure 7).

In the Greenville area, environmental conditions that are among the greatest concerns are solid waste, ozone, hazardous waste, and impaired waters. Lead from housing is also an area of moderate concern in the census tract that includes Greenville. Ozone and solid waste exposure are also factors of concern in the southwest, as is drinking water quality. This is similar to the area that includes Portola and to the northern area of the county around Lake Almanor. None of the census tracts in Plumas County are considered a Disadvantaged Community under SB 535, a designation that is based on having a CalEnviroScreen score in the 75th percentile or higher.

In addition to CalEnviroScreen 4.0, the Public Health Alliance of Southern California has created an evaluative tool known as the Healthy Places Index (HPI). This tool is designed to assess various social, economic, and neighborhood design elements that significantly influence health outcomes. According to HPI, the majority of census tracts in Plumas County are in the second-lowest or second-highest quartiles of its ranking system, indicating conditions associated with moderate to low health outcomes. The northwestern area of the county had the most positively ranked score in this analysis; most negatively ranked factors in this area included access to retail and parks. This was similar in the Quincy and Portola areas.

Locally, there is no difference between neighborhoods with regard to environmental conditions, and there are no areas where residential development should be avoided due to environmental conditions, or where existing environmental conditions are negatively effecting residents. The water infrastructure is aging throughout the City. Boil water notices are issued if needed when there is a water leak. There may be lead paint exposure in older homes, but it is not known to the City.

Eastern Plumas County, including Portola, is in the federal nonattainment area for the federal annual standard for PM2.5 (fine particulate matter). High PM2.5 levels are mostly smoke as a result of residential wood burning. Northern Sierra Air Quality Management District operates a Woodstove Changeout Program for replacement of non-EPA certified wood stoves with new, efficient cleaner-burning EPA certified devices.

There are community parks throughout the City, with parks on both the north side and south side of the river. There is a community pool at City Park on the south side. There is no difference in neighborhoods in terms of access.

There are no differences between neighborhoods with respect to access to shopping and healthy foods. All commercial services are located along Commercial Street and Sierra Avenue, and all areas of the city are within one mile of the commercial services.

25 FIGURE 7: CALENVIROSCREEN 4.0, PLUMAS COUNTY

26 DISPROPORTIONATE HOUSING NEEDS, INCLUDING

DISPLACEMENT
A combination of factors can result in increased displacement risk, particularly for lower-income households, including some factors previously discussed. These factors include environmental hazards, overcrowding, housing cost burden, low vacancy rates, availability of a variety of housing options, and increasing housing prices compared to wage increases.

Overpayment
Housing represents a significant percentage of the total cost of living for many households in California. Households spending more than 30 percent of their gross income on housing costs are considered to be overpaying, or “cost burdened.” Overpayment is disproportionately experienced by renters in low-income households and low-resource areas. As is the case across the region and the state, households in unincorporated Plumas County face elevated rates of overpayment. However, according to CHAS 2006-2010 and 2016-2020 data, there has been a decrease in the percentage of homeowner households experiencing cost burden within Plumas County (from 33.1 percent in 2010 to 21.2 percent in 2020) (see Table 8). Rates of renter overpayment have been relatively stable during the same period. Within Portola, however, the number of renters experiencing cost burden has not decreased at the same rate that the total number of renters has decreased, so the share of renters experiencing cost burden has increased. As of 2020, more than half of renters in Portola (53.3 percent) experience cost burden, compared to 48.8 percent in 2010. During the same time period, the share of homeowners experiencing cost burden in Portola has decreased from 31.2 percent to 27.0 percent even as the overall number of homeowners has decreased. Regionally, in the nearby counties of Lassen and Sierra, the percentages of owner and renter households facing housing overpayment are also comparable with those in Plumas County. In contrast, rates of overpayment are lower for both tenure types within Modoc County. Plumas County’s rates of overpayment are slightly lower than those of the state overall.

Homeowner overpayment has a similar distribution across the county by census tract (see Figure 8). All census tracts in the county have rates of homeowner overpayment between 20 and 40 percent. The City of Portola and the unincorporated area of Quincy have higher concentrations of renters experiencing cost burden than other areas of the county (see Figure 9). This is also true in the census tracts around Lake Almanor, including the communities of Hamilton Branch and Prattville.

Locally, both rents and sales prices have increased recently throughout Portola, but not differently between neighborhoods or nearby unincorporated communities. Details for specific rents or sales prices are unknown. There are no known patterns of evictions or foreclosures between neighborhoods.

27 TABLE 8: HOUSEHOLDS BY OVERPAYMENT
Households
Paying >30%
of Income for
Housing Costs
Portola
Plumas
County
(Unincorporated)
Plumas
County Susanville Lassen County Loyalton Sierra County Alturas Modoc County State 2010 2020 2010 2020 2010 2020 2010 2020 2010 2020 2010 2020 2010 2020 2010 2020 2010 2020 2010 2020 Percent of
Owner
Households
Experiencing
Cost Burden

31.2% 27.0% 33.3% 21.2% 33.1% 21.6% 27.7% 23.2% 29.6% 20.6% 18.5% 22.7% 25.1% 30.5% 27.7% 23.7% 25.8% 15.2% 41.2% 29.3% Percent of
Renter
Households
Experiencing
Cost Burden

48.8% 53.3% 39.8% 39.2% 41.4% 41.7% 57.8% 35.4% 51.2% 39.6% 12.3% 49.1% 43.2% 37.0% 49.5% 35.6% 39.2% 35.6% 50.4% 49.5% Percent of All
Households
Experiencing
Cost Burden

39.8% 39.9% 35.4% 25.6% 36.0% 27.0% 42.0% 29.6% 37.4% 26.6% 17.3% 30.5% 28.7% 32.2% 36.7% 27.8% 29.8% 20.0% 45.1% 38.3% Source: CHAS 2006-2010, 2016-2020

28 FIGURE 8: RATE OF HOMEOWNER OVERPAYMENT, PLUMAS COUNTY

29 FIGURE 9: RATES OF RENTER OVERPAYMENT, PLUMAS COUNTY

30 Overcrowding
Overcrowding occurs when the number of people living in a household is greater than the home was designed to hold. The U.S.

Census Bureau considers a household overcrowded when there is more than one person per room, excluding bathrooms, hallways, and kitchens, and severely overcrowded when there are more than 1.5 occupants per room. A typical home might have a total of five rooms that qualify for habitation under this definition (three bedrooms, living room, and dining room). If more than five people were living in the home, it would be considered overcrowded. Overcrowding is strongly related to household size, particularly for large households, and the availability of suitably sized housing. A small percentage of overcrowded units is not uncommon and often includes families with children who share rooms or multigenerational households. However, high rates of overcrowding may indicate a fair housing issue resulting from situations such as two families or households occupying one unit to reduce housing costs. Situations such as this may indicate a shortage of appropriately sized and affordable housing units because overcrowding is often related to the cost and availability of housing and can occur when demand in a jurisdiction or region is high.

Plumas County has seen an increase in the percentage of overcrowding in renter households, from 5.3 percent in 2010 to 6.4 percent in 2021. However, the number of renters experiencing severe overcrowding has decreased by 1.2 percentage points. The unincorporated area of the county has seen a significant rise in overcrowded renters, with a shift from 1.9 percent in 2010 to 7.3 percent in 2021, but a decrease in the percentage of renters that experience severe overcrowding (3.9 percent in 2010 to 1.3 percent in 2021). Rates of homeowner overcrowding are low in the unincorporated county (0.6 percent in 2021), which has been relatively steady since 2010. Additionally, there are no reports of severe overcrowding among homeowner households throughout the county. At the census tract level, most tracts in the county have rates of overcrowding below 5 percent between both tenure groups, though rates are slightly higher (between 5.0 and 10.0 percent) in the central and southwest areas of the county, including the tracts with the communities of Greenhorn, Cromberg, La Porte, and Meadow Valley (see Figure 10).

Regionally, Plumas County has comparably low levels of homeowner overcrowding when compared to Lassen and Sierra Counties, and a lower rate of homeowner overcrowding compared to Modoc County. Among renters, rates of overcrowding are also similar to those in Sierra County, though with a higher rate of severe overcrowding in Plumas County.

Within Portola there has been a significant decrease in the percentage of renters experiencing overcrowding, from 20.7 percent in 2010 to 2.3 percent in 2021. However, the percentage of renters experiencing severe overcrowding has increased from 0.0 percent in 2010 to 4.7 percent in 2021. This is still a decrease in the percentage of renters experiencing any level of overcrowding.

Homeowner overcrowding in Portola has increased by 1.1 percentage points during the same period, though the percentage of homeowners experiencing severe overcrowding has stayed steady at 0.0 percent.

Locally, there are no areas in the city that are known to have higher rates of household overcrowding, such as "doubling-up" families in one house.

31 TABLE 9: HOUSEHOLDS BY OVERCROWDING
Households
Experiencing
Overcrowding
Portola
Plumas
County (Unincorporated)
Plumas
County Susanville Lassen County Loyalton Sierra County Alturas Modoc County State 2010 2021 2010 2021 2010 2021 2010 2021 2010 2021 2010 2021 2010 2021 2010 2021 2010 2021 2010 2021 Percent of Owner
Households Experiencing
Overcrowding

4.3% 5.4% 0.7% 0.6% 1.1% 1.0% 3.7% 2.4% 2.5% 1.0% 1.1% 0.0% 0.3% 0.7% 0.0% 0.0% 0.7% 3.5% 3.1% 3.1% Percent of Owner
Households Experiencing
Severe Overcrowding

0.0% 0.0% 0.3% 0.0% 0.3% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.2% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.4% 0.3% 0.9% 1.1% Total Number of Owner
Households 650 538 5,965 5,413 6,615 5,951 2,924 1,590 6,545 6,236 263 297 1,151 908 707 784 2,790 2,543 7,112,050 7,502,706 Percent of Renter
Households Experiencing
Overcrowding

20.7% 2.3% 1.9% 7.3% 5.3% 6.4% 10.8% 3.0% 9.0% 3.3% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 6.6% 7.9% 3.2% 6.1% 1.5% 8.2% 7.4% Percent of Renter
Households Experiencing
Severe Overcrowding

0.0% 4.7% 3.9% 1.3% 3.2% 2.0% 1.5% 1.1% 1.7% 0.6% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 1.6% 0.0% 1.5% 0.0% 5.1% 5.8% Total Number of Renter
Households 627 443 2,848 1,837 3,475 2,280 2,657 1,401 3,731 2,674 65 58 286 243 494 375 1,187 870 5,280,802 5,926,357 Source: ACS 2006-2010, 2017-2021 B25014

32 FIGURE 10: HOUSEHOLDS EXPERIENCING OVERCROWDING, PLUMAS COUNTY

33 Housing Conditions
There is no available data on the age of homes or units in need of rehabilitation and replacement. The commercial core area on the south side of town is typically older construction and therefore the physical condition of the housing may suggest a higher need for rehabilitation for safety or accessibility reasons. However, the City is not aware of particular concerns. There are no known differences in housing conditions based on unit types (i.e. single family, multifamily, or mobile and manufactured homes).

The City has not had a Code Enforcement officer dedicated to residential complaints since 2022. At that time, Code Enforcement complaints were typically related to weed abatement, and were located throughout the City without being concentrated in specific areas. Abandoned vehicles drive many of the complaints and the City uses the Abandoned Vehicle Abatement program and funds to help mitigate this.

Persons Experiencing Homelessness
There are approximately 3 homeless people that live on United States Forest Service (USFS) property outside of the city. These community members often frequent public places in the City. Homeless community members tend to congregate at the library to use the public Wi-Fi. There are no City programs to provide emergency rental assistance, but The Portola Family Center, operated through Plumas Crisis Intervention and Resource Center offers assistance programs, case management, and homelessness prevention programming.

Displacement
The Urban Displacement Project, a joint research and action initiative of UC Berkeley and the University of Toronto, analyzes income patterns and housing availability to determine the gentrification displacement risk at the census tract level. The UCB analysis identifies the following categories of displacement risk:
 Lower Displacement Risk: The model estimates that the loss of low-income households is less than the gain in lowincome households. However, some of these areas may have small pockets of displacement within their boundaries.  At Risk of Displacement: The model estimates there is potential displacement or risk of displacement of the given population in these tracts.
 Elevated Displacement: The model estimates there is a small amount of displacement (e.g., 10 percent) of the given population.
 High Displacement: The model estimates there is a relatively high amount of displacement (e.g., 20 percent) of the given population.
 Extreme Displacement: The model estimates there is an extreme level of displacement (e.g., greater than 20 percent) of the given population.
 Low Data Quality: The tract has less than 500 total households and/or the census margins of error were greater than 15 percent of the estimate.

34 A combination of factors can result in increased displacement risk, particularly for lower-income households. Displacement risk increases when a household is paying more for housing than its income can support; the housing condition is unstable or unsafe; and when the household is overcrowded. Each of these presents barriers to stable housing for the occupants. All areas of Plumas County that were evaluated as part of the Urban Displacement Project analysis were determined to have a lower risk of displacement, which is also typical for neighboring Sierra and Lassen Counties, with the exception of the area on the south side of Susanville (see Figure 11). Census tracts in the center and on the southwest side of Plumas County were determined to have low data quality and so were not evaluated.

Natural hazards can also present risks of displacement. Many areas of the county are within CAL FIRE’s High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, including the communities of Chester, Hamilton Branch, Greenville, the north sides of Quincy and East Quincy, and the City of Portola (see Figure 12). The largest concentrations of high or very high fire hazard severity zones are surrounding Lake Almanor and in the State Route 70 corridor between Quincy and the area east of Portola. Fire hazards are typical for many counties in the rural north state. Flood hazards area also a common displacement risk factor. As shown in Figure 13, there are few areas of the county that are within FEMA’s 100-year flood risk zone. A small area immediately surrounding Lake Almanor, an area in the Greenville and Crescent Mills area to the east of State Route 70, a small section of the county immediately north of Quincy, and on the southeast side of the county near Marble Hot Springs. Other small flood-prone areas are located along Yellow and Humbug Creeks on the west side of the county and immediately surrounding Butt Valley Reservoir. The majority of the county is not considered in a high flood-risk zone.

Locally, there have been no recent natural disasters or related events that have led to displacement. There are some houses located within the floodplain that have a higher susceptibility to environmental damage due to building age and building design.

There are no areas outside of the flood zone that have a tendency to flood during storms. Defensible space inspections are not performed, and there are no other environmental hazard mitigation programs available.

35 FIGURE 11: RISK OF DISPLACEMENT, PLUMAS COUNTY

36 FIGURE 12: FIRE HAZARD AREAS, PLUMAS COUNTY

37 FIGURE 13: FEMA FLOOD HAZARD AREAS, PLUMAS COUNTY

38 ENFORCEMENT AND OUTREACH CAPACITY
In addition to assessing demographic characteristics as indicators of fair housing, jurisdictions must identify how they currently comply with fair housing laws or identify programs to achieve compliance. Plumas County enforces fair housing and complies with fair housing laws and regulations through a twofold process: review of local policies and codes for compliance with state law, and referral of fair housing complaints to appropriate agencies. The following identifies how the County complies with fair housing laws:

Local Outreach and Fair Housing Issues
As part of the Housing Element update, the City of Portola conducted outreach through public meetings, a 30-day public review period, and online access to the draft document. Notices were posted at City Hall, the library, and post office to encourage broad participation. Public input was encouraged and documented throughout the process. Most feedback focused on the viability of two approved housing developments—Portola Highlands and Portola 192—which include affordable housing components. While direct comments on fair housing issues were limited, previous workshops and meetings provided input on housing affordability and development impacts. This input informed revisions to project documents such as the Development Agreement and Master Plans, helping shape the Housing Element’s strategies for housing supply, affordability, and community engagement.

Fair Housing Outreach Capacity
The Portola Family Center, operated through Plumas Crisis Intervention and Resource Center, offers fair housing assistance programs. These programs include a Self-Help Legal Clinic, a Housing and Disability Advocacy Program, and several homelessness prevention and case management programs.

Fair Housing Enforcement
There have been no recent fair housing inquiries or cases. When a complaint is received, City staff will provide County, State or federal resources to residents as applicable. Staff also speaks with landlords to ensure compliance with building codes.

Additionally, the City employs a Code Enforcement Officer who addresses code-related matters for the City. Generally, code enforcement activities are complaint-driven. A complaint can be submitted in person, through a complaint form on the City’s website, in writing, or over the telephone. The City investigates the complaint and takes appropriate action based on the complaint. The Code Enforcement Officer also spends time driving through the City and may also observe an issue that needs to be addressed.

The specific policy/programs actions that have been included in the 6th Cycle Housing Element to address fair housing enforcement and that are expected to be continued into the 7th Cycle Housing Element include:

Policy 4-2-4: Provide Educational Materials for Tenants of At-Risk Housing Developments Program 1: The City will acquire existing information published by HDC summarizing the timelines and requirements associated with converting subsidized housing to market rates. The City will gather and make available to its residents

39 information identifying local agencies that provide tenant relocation assistance and rental subsidies. This information will be provided on the City’s webpage and at the front counter.

Responsibility: City Manager’s Office
Quantified Objective: Gather information by June 2022, and ensure the information is posted and available by December 2022.

Timing: December 2022, with annual review of material and website/front counter information.

Compliance with Fair Housing Laws
There have not been any recent fair housing-related lawsuits, settlements, consent decrees or other related legal matters.

40 TABLE 10: COMPLIANCE WITH FAIR HOUSING LAWS
Title Statute Description Compliance Efforts
Density Bonus Law Government Code
section 65915
The density bonus ordinance allows up to a 50.0 percent increase in project density depending on the proportion of units that are dedicated as affordable, and up to 80.0 percent for projects that are completely affordable, in compliance with state law.

Zoning code is up-to-date with the
State’s Density Bonus law.

No Net Loss Law Government Code
section 65863
The County has identified a surplus of sites available to meet the Regional Housing Needs Allocation.

Yes, this has been identified in the
Housing Element.

Housing
Accountability Act
Government Code
section 65589.5
The County does not condition the approval of housing
development projects for very low-, low-, or moderate-income households, or emergency shelters unless specific written findings are made. Further, the City currently allows emergency shelters byright, without limitations, in at least one zone that allows residential uses.

Yes
Senate Bill 35 Government Code
Section 65913.4
The County has established a written policy or procedure, as well as other guidance as appropriate, to streamline the approval process and standards for eligible projects.

Yes
Senate Bill 330 Government Code
Section 65589.5
The County relies on regulations set forth in the law for processing preliminary applications for housing development projects, conducting no more than five hearings for housing projects that comply with objective general plan and development standards, and making a decision on a residential project within 90 days after certification of an environmental impact report or 60 days after adoption of a mitigated negative declaration or an environmental report for an affordable housing project.

Yes

41 Title Statute Description Compliance Efforts
California Fair
Employment and
Housing Act and
Federal Fair Housing
Act
Government Code
Section 12900 - 12996
Title VIII of the Federal
Civil Rights Act
The County provides protections to residents through referrals to legal assistance organizations,
Yes
Anti-Discrimination
in Zoning and Land
Use
Government Code
Section 65008
The County reviews affordable development projects in the same manner as market-rate developments, except in cases where affordable housing projects are eligible for preferential treatment, including, but not limited to, on residential sites subject to AB 1397.

Yes
Assembly Bill 686 Government Code
section 8899.50
The County has completed this AFH analysis and has identified programs to address identified fair housing issues.

This analysis has been completed.

Equal Access Government Code
section 1195 et seq.

The County offers translation services for all public meetings and offers accessibility accommodations to ensure equal access to all programs and activities operated, administered, or funded with financial assistance from the state, regardless of membership or perceived membership in a protected class.

Translation services are available upon
request.

42 IDENTIFIED SITES AND AFFIRMATIVELY FURTHERING FAIR

HOUSING
The location of housing in relation to resources and opportunities is integral to addressing disparities in housing needs and opportunity and to fostering inclusive communities where all residents have access to opportunity. This is particularly important for lower-income households. AB 686 added a new requirement for housing elements to analyze the location of lower-income sites in relation to areas of high opportunity.

The City of Portola is geographically divided by State Route 70 and the Feather River, creating what is locally referred to as a “north side” and “south side.” However, this division has not resulted in significant socio-economic separation, as both areas contain similar patterns of residential development and access to services. There have been no historical zoning or land use decisions that contributed to socio-economic disparities between different parts of the city.

The City’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) is modest due to its small population and rural context. Identified housing opportunity sites are distributed across the community, including both infill parcels and larger development areas, such as the Portola Highlands and Portola 192 projects. These sites were selected based on infrastructure capacity, zoning compatibility, and proximity to schools, services, and transportation routes, with the goal of encouraging inclusive and balanced growth.

The RHNA is not concentrated in any one part of the city, nor is it isolated to areas associated with either lower-income or moderate and above moderate-income households. Given the relatively uniform development patterns and absence of concentrated poverty, the RHNA distribution does not reinforce segregation. Similarly, the scale of RHNA impact is low in all areas, given the city’s overall small number of households and the limited number of units planned per site.

Overall, the distribution of RHNA sites in Portola supports the goal of promoting inclusive communities. While historical economic shifts—such as the decline of railroad operations—have influenced the city’s economic profile, current housing planning efforts avoid the concentration of lower-income units and instead support a mix of housing types across all neighborhoods. No mitigation strategies are needed at this time, as identified sites do not pose concerns related to exclusion or concentrated disadvantage.

Relevant Demographic Information
Housing Units by Type
As shown in Table 12, the majority of homes in Plumas County are single-family detached homes, which has remained relatively consistent since 2010. As of 2021, 79.1 percent of the total housing structures comprise single-family units countywide. This is typical of rural counties in the northern areas of the state, including nearby Lassen, Sierra, and Modoc Counties. Cities in rural areas tend to have higher concentrations of homes in multi-family buildings than unincorporated areas do, and this is true in Plumas County. In Portola, 12.5 percent of homes are in buildings with 5 or more units, and 6.8 percent are in buildings with between 2 or 4 units. In contrast, in unincorporated Plumas County, only 2.5 percent of homes are in buildings with 5 or more units, and only 1.9 percent are in buildings with 2 to 4 units. This is similar to patterns of housing unit types in neighboring Lassen County. However, Plumas County differs from Lassen County in the percentage of mobile homes that are located in the incorporated city. Mobile homes make up a higher percentage of homes in Portola (8.8 percent in 2021) than in Susanville (4.7

43 percent), whereas the two counties have similar percentages of mobile homes as a percentage of all homes in the county, indicating that Lassen County has a greater concentration of mobile homes in its unincorporated area than Plumas County does.

Locally, there have not been any subdivisions developed in the past ten years, and there are no new master planned areas with different infrastructure. Multi-family housing is not widely available in the city.

44 TABLE 12: HOUSING UNITS BY TYPE
Housing Unit
Type
Portola Plumas County
(Unincorporated)
Plumas
County Susanville Lassen County Loyalton Sierra County Alturas Modoc County State 2010 2021 2010 2021 2010 2021 2010 2021 2010 2021 2010 2021 2010 2021 2010 2021 2010 2021 2010 2021 Single Family
Detached 71.2% 67.0% 77.6% 80.8% 77.0% 79.7% 72.3% 76.1% 71.2% 77.9% 94.1% 97.6% 90.2% 92.4% 77.1% 72.9% 75.2% 80.2% 58.1% 57.2% Single Family
Attached 0.0% 4.9% 2.7% 1.9% 2.5% 2.2% 5.2% 2.3% 2.9% 1.0% 0.8% 0.0% 1.0% 0.0% 1.8% 0.6% 1.8% 0.4% 7.1% 7.5% 2-4 Units 0.8% 6.8% 2.2% 2.5% 2.1% 2.8% 3.2% 3.7% 2.8% 2.7% 0.0% 0.0% 1.4% 0.6% 6.0% 4.6% 2.3% 2.6% 8.2% 7.7% 5+ Units 12.3% 12.5% 3.7% 1.6% 4.5% 2.5% 12.8% 13.2% 7.1% 5.7% 0.0% 0.0% 3.1% 1.4% 9.3% 15.7% 3.1% 5.6% 22.6% 23.9% Mobilehomes 15.7% 8.8% 13.3% 12.6% 13.5% 12.3% 5.9% 4.7% 15.1% 12.5% 5.1% 2.4% 4.3% 5.6% 5.8% 6.2% 17.6% 11.3% 3.9% 3.5% Other (Boat, RV,
van, etc.) 0.0% 0.0% 0.5% 0.5% 0.4% 0.5% 0.6% 0.0% 0.8% 0.1% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.1% 0.0% 0.1% 0.1% Source: ACS 2006-2010, ACS 2017-2021, DP04

45 Households by Tenure
The number of residents who own their homes compared to those who rent their homes can help identify the level of housing insecurity (i.e., ability for individuals to stay in their homes) in a city and region. Generally, renters may be displaced more quickly if prices increase.

Table 13 shows the distribution of homeowner and renter households in the overall household count. Plumas County had 10,090 households in 2010, but this figure declined to 8,231 by 2021. However, the percentage of owner households has increased to

72.3 percent of the total households, up from 65.6 percent in 2020. This is typical for other rural counties in the region, including in Modoc, Sierra, and Lassen Counties. Sierra County has seen a slight decline in the percentage of households that own their homes between 2010 and 2021, but the rate as of 2021 is still similar to that of Plumas County and other nearby counties.

The shift toward homeownership has also occurred in Portola, where there was a 3.9 percentage point increase between 2010 and 2021 in the share of households that were homeowners. This is similar to other incorporated cities in the region, including Susanville and Loyalton, though Loyalton has a higher percentage of homeowners overall. In Portola, 54.8 percent of households own their homes, compared to 53.2 percent in Susanville and 83.7 percent in Loyalton. Portola and Susanville have both experienced population decreases over the past decade. When considering the increase in homeowner households as a share of all households, this may indicate that renter households have left the cities in greater numbers than homeowner households.

46 TABLE 13: HOUSEHOLDS BY TENURE
Tenure
Portola Plumas County
(Unincorporated)
Plumas
County Susanville Lassen County Loyalton Sierra County Alturas Modoc County State 2010 2021 2010 2021 2010 2021 2010 2021 2010 2021 2010 2021 2010 2021 2010 2021 2010 2021 2010 2021 Owner
Households 50.9% 54.8% 67.7% 74.7% 65.6% 72.3% 52.4% 53.2% 63.7% 70.0% 80.2% 83.7% 80.1% 78.9% 58.9% 67.6% 70.2% 74.5% 57.4% 55.5% Renter
Households 49.1% 45.2% 32.3% 25.3% 34.4% 27.7% 47.6% 46.8% 36.3% 30.0% 19.8% 16.3% 19.9% 21.1% 41.1% 32.4% 29.8% 25.5% 42.6% 44.5% Total
Households
1,277 981 8,813 7,250 10,090 8,231 5,581 2,991 10,276 8,910 328 355 1,437 1,151 1,201 1,159 3,977 3,413 12,392,852 13,217,586 Source: ACS 2006-2010, ACS 2017-2021, DP04

47 Contributing Factors to Fair Housing Issues
Through discussions with stakeholders, fair housing advocates, and this assessment of fair housing issues, the County identified factors that contribute to fair housing issues, as shown in Table 14. While there are several strategies identified to address the fair housing issues, the most pressing issues are displacement risk due to substandard conditions and rising housing costs and barriers to homeownership. Prioritized contributing factors are bolded in Table 14, and associated actions to meaningfully affirmatively further fair housing related to these factors are bold and italicized.

TABLE 14: FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO FAIR HOUSING ISSUES Fair Housing Issue Contributing Factors Priority Meaningful Actions Displacement Risk Due to
Substandard Housing
Conditions
Aging and poorly
maintained rental housing
stock
Limited code enforcement
capacity
Low household incomes
limiting tenant leverage or
relocation options
Low housing stock limiting
tenant relocation options
High Expand code enforcement
efforts to proactively
identify and remedy
substandard conditions
Explore partnerships with
non-profits or regional
agencies to offer rental
rehabilitation assistance
programs
Explore options for
relocation assistance and
tenant protections for
residents displaced due
to habitability issues
Encourage preservation
of naturally occurring
affordable housing
through incentives for
small landlords
Rising Housing Costs Limited housing supply,
particularly for low- and
moderate-income
households
Moderate Facilitate the
development of incomerestricted affordable
housing through
streamlined permit
processing, fee

48 Recent increases in home
prices and rent levels
Small-scale housing market
with few affordable new
units being built
reductions, or land
donations
Support accessory
dwelling units (ADUs)
Explore rental assistance
programs and rent
stabilization policies in
partnership with regional
housing authorities
Include affordability
requirements or
incentives in future
development
agreements
Barriers to
Homeownership
Limited inventory of forsale homes affordable to
first-time buyers
Credit and down payment
challenges for lowerincome households
Lack of local homebuyer
education and assistance
programs
Low Explore partnerships with
local lenders or housing
agencies to offer firsttime homebuyer
assistance and financial
literacy programs
Identify publicly owned
or underutilized parcels
for potential affordable
for-sale housing
development
Encourage mixedincome housing projects
that include affordable
ownership units
Monitor and support
alternative
homeownership models

49 Goals, Actions, Milestones and Metrics
Table 15 below is The City of Portola’s action plan, and it elaborates on Portola’s place-based and mobility strategies to address fair housing, including geographic targets and quantitative objectives for the 2024-2029 planning period. However, the contributing conditions identified in Table 14 are not unique to Portola and are present in other areas of Plumas County.

Moreover, many of the communities in the region, including Portola, lack the staff, financial resources, and local tax base to undertake large scale transformative initiatives without outside financial support. Consequently, some of the Action Plan’s strategies commit the City to continuing and amplifying regional collaboration efforts with local governments, non-profit organizations, residents of Portola, and others.

TABLE 15: SUMMARY OF GOALS, ACTIONS, MILESTONES, AND METRICS

TO MEET FAIR HOUSING
Action
Area Programs Specific Commitment Timeline Geographic Targeting Metrics Housing
Mobility
Investigate
programs that
would assist firsttime homebuyers
in purchasing a
home.

The City will actively pursue
the creation of a First-Time
Homebuyer Assistance
Program by identifying and
applying for available funding
sources, such as the HOME
Investment Partnerships
Program, Community
Development Block Grant
(CDBG) Program, and the
American Dream
Downpayment Initiative. Upon
securing funding, the City will
develop and implement the
program, including down
payment assistance for
eligible households, and will
promote it through
brochures, outreach materials,
and updates to the City
website
If funding is
secured, the City
will aim to launch
the program and
begin outreach
within
approximately six
months.

Citywide 4 units for
first-time
homebuyers
Consider the
impact of all
regulations, fee
changes, policies,
and development
The City will offer incentives—
such as density bonuses, fee
reductions or deferrals, and
expedited processing—to
support residential projects
that include affordable units
The City will
annually review
and consider
additional
affordabilityCitywide
.
1 low-, 1 very
low- and 1
extremely

50 Action
Area Programs Specific Commitment Timeline Geographic Targeting Metrics projects on
housing
affordability.
for extremely low, very low,
and low-income households,
as allowed under State law.
promoting
measures, and
present
recommendations
to the City
Council as
needed.
low-income
households
New
Opportunities
in Higher
Opportunity
Areas
Encourage the
development of
housing that has,
to the extent
possible, a support
structure of
shopping, services,
and jobs within
easy access.

The City will continue to
encourage mixed-use and
well-integrated development
by offering incentives such as
increased building density,
reduced parking and setback
requirements, greater height
allowances, and higher floor
area ratios for housing
projects that align with
Portola Municipal Code
requirements.

The City will
periodically
evaluate the use
and effectiveness
of these
incentives—at
least once every
two years—and
consider
adjustments as
part of future
updates to
development
policies or zoning
regulations.

Citywide
2 units, with
50 percent
prioritized
for target
areas
Consider
incentives such as
density bonus
and/or an
additional
incentive to
projects providing
affordable units.

The City will continue to
implement its density bonus
ordinance and offer additional
incentives—such as expedited
processing, permit waivers,
fee deferrals or reductions,
and flexible development
standards—for projects that
include affordable units or
mixed-use developments with
an affordable housing
component.

The City will
review the use of
these incentives
annually and
consider updates
or additional
incentives as part
of future housing
policy discussions.

Citywide 4 affordable
housing units

51 Action
Area Programs Specific Commitment Timeline Geographic Targeting Metrics Place-based
Strategies for
Community
Revitalization
a. Encourage
developers to
employ
innovative or
alternative
construction
methods to
reduce housing
costs and
increase housing
supply.
b. The City will
invest in
improvements
to the
downtown area
and enhance
existing City
facilities.
a. The City will require all new
Development Agreements
to include land use policies,
implementation measures,
and funding responsibilities
proportional to the scale of
the project, in support of
Housing Element goals—
particularly those that
promote innovative or
alternative construction
methods to increase
housing supply and reduce
costs.
b.The City will complete
repairs to approximately
three blocks of Commercial
Street to support
surrounding development.

The City will install public
restrooms and ADAaccessible drinking
fountains along the
Riverwalk (Riverwalk Park).
a. This
requirement
will be applied
to all new
Development
Agreements
beginning with
the next
applicable
project, and
reviewed for
effectiveness at
least every two
years as part of
broader
housing policy
updates.
b.Improvements
to be
completed no
later than
2027.
a. Citywide
b.Downtown
Core
2 housing
units
Displacement
Provide technical
and financial
assistance to
eligible
homeowners and
residential
property owners to
rehabilitate
existing dwelling
units through
grants or low
interest loans.

The City will continue to
promote and make available
its housing rehabilitation
revolving loan program in
partnership with the Plumas
County Community
Development Commission
(PCCDC), and will apply for
CDBG funding to expand
single-family rehabilitation
efforts.

The City will apply
for additional
funding within the
next Housing
Element cycle and
will aim to
rehabilitate at
least five housing
units over the
five-year planning
period.

Citywide 5 housing
units
Provide technical
and financial
The City will actively promote
available rehabilitation
The City will
review available
Citywide

52 Action
Area Programs Specific Commitment Timeline Geographic Targeting Metrics assistance as
available to all
eligible multifamily complex
owners to
rehabilitate
existing dwelling
units through low
interest or
deferred loans.
funding programs to owners
of aging or substandard
multi-family housing
complexes by conducting
targeted outreach, providing
technical assistance with
application processes, and
coordinating with the Plumas
County Community
Development Commission
and other partners to support
project feasibility. The City will
prioritize projects that result in
long-term affordability for
low- and moderate-income
households.
funding sources
annually and will
aim to support at
least one funding
application every
two years,
contingent on
interest and
participation from
eligible property
owners.
2 moderateand 1 lowincome unit
Provide
Educational
Materials for
Tenants of At-Risk
Housing
Developments
The City will collect and
distribute educational
materials for tenants living in
at-risk subsidized housing,
including information on
conversion timelines, tenant
rights, relocation assistance,
and rental subsidy programs.

Materials will be sourced from
HCD and local service
providers, and made available
on the City’s website and at
City Hall.

The City will aim
to update and
make materials
available within
six months of
obtaining relevant
information and
will review
materials annually
to ensure
accuracy.

Citywide
4 At-Risk
Households
with 50
percent
prioritized
for target
areas

Declaration of Publication (2015.5 C.C.P.)
Case ID: City of Portola - Notice of public hearing
regarding the 7th cycle housing element
I am a citizen of the United States and a resident of Plumas County; I am over the age of eighteen years, and not a party to or interested in the above entitled matter. I am the legal administrator of The Plumas Sun, a digital newspaper of in the County of Plumas, and that the notice has been published on the following dates:

Publication Dates:

July 31 - August 7, 2026
Case ID: City of Portola - Notice of public hearing regarding the 7th cycle housing element Publication Fee: $26.00
I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed in Plumas County, California on the date of July 31, 2026.

Rebecca Stewart
The Plumas Sun, Plumas County, CA
The Plumas Sun
PO BOX 115
Quincy, CA 95971
plumassun.org
Link to publication:
https://plumassun.org/2026/07/31/city-of-portola-notice-of-public-hearing-regarding-the-7th-cy cle-housing-element/

1 MEETING DATE: August 12, 2026
AGENDA ITEM: 6. Ordinance No. 364: Repealing Ordinance No. 284 and Amending the City's Conflict of Interest Code (Introduction and First Reading) FROM: Ryan Bonk
RE: Ordinance No. 364: Repealing Ordinance No. 284 and Amending the City's Conflict of Interest Code (Introduction and First Reading) BACKGROUND:

The Political Reform Act requires each city to review its conflict of interest code biennially and notify the City Council as to whether or not the code needs to be amended. The completed biennial notice must be submitted to the City Council no later than October 1, 2026.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

Upon review of Ordinance No. 284: An Ordinance of the City of Portola, County of Plumas Establishing a Conflict of Interest Code for the City, staff determined that this Ordinance should be repealed and replaced with Ordinance No. 364.

The reasons for this recommendation are as follows:

1. New ordinance provides that City Council may approve, amend, and repeal conflict of interest codes by resolution. This reduces the administrative burden of future changes.

2. Amendments to the current Conflict of Interest Code are required to align City positions, revise the titles of existing positions, and delete titles of positions that have been abolished and/or positions that no longer make or participate in making governmental decisions Attached to this staff report are the following:

1. 2026 Local Agency Biennial Notice

2. Current Ordinance 284 including the current Conflict of Interest Code

3. Proposed Ordinance 364 including the revised Conflict of Interest Code This is the introduction and first reading.

2 RECOMMENDATION:

Staff recommends that the City Council introduce "Ordinance No. 364 " and waive the 2nd reading of the ordinance.

FISCAL IMPACT:

There is no financial impact to this Ordinance.

ATTACHMENTS:

A. 2026 LOCAL BIENNIAL NOTICE FINAL
B. ORDINANCE 284- CONFLICT OF INTEREST
C. ORDINANCE 364 CONFLICT OF INTEREST FINAL

www.fppc.ca.gov
FPPC Advice: [email protected] (866.275.3772)

2026 Local Agency Biennial Notice
Name of Agency:

Mailing Address:

Contact Person: Phone No.

Email: Alternate Email:

Accurate disclosure is essential to monitor whether officials have conflicts of interest and to help ensure public trust in government. The biennial review examines current programs to ensure that the agency’s code includes disclosure by those agency officials who make or participate in making governmental decisions.

This agency has reviewed its conflict of interest code and has determined that (check one BOX):

An amendment is required. The following amendments are necessary:
(Check all that apply.)
Include new positions
Revise disclosure categories
Revise the titles of existing positions
Delete titles of positions that have been abolished and/or positions that no longer make or participate in making governmental decisions
Other (describe)
The code is currently under review by the code reviewing body.

No amendment is required. (If your code is over five years old, amendments may be necessary.)
Verification (to be completed if no amendment is required) This agency’s code accurately designates all positions that make or participate in the making of governmental decisions. The disclosure assigned to those positions accurately requires that all investments, business positions, interests in real property, and sources of income that may foreseeably be affected materially by the decisions made by those holding designated positions are reported. The code includes all other provisions required by Government Code Section 87302.
__________________________________________ _________________________ Signature of Chief Executive Officer Date
All agencies must complete and return this notice regardless of how recently your code was approved or amended. Please return this notice no later than October 1, 2026, or by the date specified by your agency, if earlier, to:
(PLACE RETURN ADDRESS OF CODE REVIEWING BODY HERE)
PLEASE DO NOT RETURN THIS FORM TO THE FPPC.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE

FOR THE CITY OF PORTOLA
The Political Reform Act (Government Code Sections 81000, et seq.) requires state and local government agencies to adopt and promulgate Conflict of Interest Codes. The Fair Political Practices Commission has adopted a regulation (2 Cal. Code of Regs., Section 18730) which contains the terms of a standard Conflict of Interest Code, which can be incorporated by reference in an agency’s code. After public notice and hearing it may be amended by the Fair Political Practices Commission to conform to amendments in the Political Reform Act.

Therefore, the terms of 2 California Code of Regulations Section 18730 and any amendments to it duly adopted by the Fair Political Practices Commission are hereby incorporated by reference.

This regulation and the attached Appendix designating officials and employees and establishing disclosure categories, shall constitute the Conflict of Interest Code of the City of Portola.

Designated employees shall file their statements of economic interests with the City of Portola, which will make the statements available for public inspection and reproduction. (Gov.

Code Section 81008). Statements for all designated employees will be retained by the City of Portola.

CITY OF PORTOLA

CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE

APPENDIX
Designated Positions are those positions within the City of Portola the occupants of which may exercise independent judgment and make or participate in the making of governmental decisions which may foreseeably have a material effect on any financial interest.

Consultant means an individual who, pursuant to a contract with a state or local government agency:
(A) Makes a governmental decision whether to:
(1) Approve a rate, rule or regulation;
(2) Adopt or enforce a law;
(3) Issue, deny, suspend, or revoke any permit, license, application, certificate, approval, order or similar authorization or entitlement; (4) Authorize the agency to enter into, modify, or renew a contract provided it is the type of contract which requires agency approval; (5) Grant agency approval to a contract which requires agency approval and in which the agency is a party or to the specifications for such a contract; (6) Grant agency approval to a plan, design, report, study, or similar item; (7) Adopt, or grant agency approval of policies, standards, or guidelines for the agency, or for any subdivision thereof; or
(B) Serves in a staff capacity with the agency and in that capacity performs the same or substantially all the same duties for the agency that would otherwise be performed by an individual holding a position specified in the agency’s Conflict of Interest Code.

Consultants shall be included in the list of designated employees and shall disclose pursuant to the broadest disclosure category in the code subject to the following limitation:

The City Administrator or the City Administrator’s designee may determine in writing that a particular consultant, although a “designated position,” is hired to perform a range of duties that are limited in scope and thus is not required to fully comply with the disclosure requirements described in this section. Such written determination shall include a description of the consultant’s duties and, based upon that description, a statement of the extent of disclosure requirements. The City Administrator’s or City Administrator’s designee’s determination is a public record and shall be retained for public record and shall be retained for public inspection in the same manner and location as this Conflict of Interest Code.

The following is a listing of those persons who are required to submit Statements of Economic Interests pursuant to the Political Reform Act of 1974, as amended:

DESIGNATED POSITIONS
Department Position Disclosure Category
Administration City Administrator 1, 2
Building Building Inspector 1, 3
Clerk City Clerk 1, 2
Engineering City Engineer 1, 2
Finance Finance Officer 1, 2
Fire Fire Chief 3
Legal City Attorney 1, 2
Public Works Public Works Director 1, 3
Planning Planning Director 1, 3

DISCLOSURE CATEGORIES

1. Persons in this category shall disclose all interests in real property within or not more than two miles outside the boundaries of the City of Portola or within two miles of any land owned or used by the City of Portola.

2. Persons in this category shall disclose all investments and business positions in any business entity and sources of income of the type which, within the last two years, has contracted with the City to provide services, supplies, materials, machinery or equipment to the City.

3. Persons in this category shall disclose all investment and business positions in any business entity and sources of income of the type which, within the last two years, has contracted with the City to provide services, supplies, materials, machinery or equipment to the City department of which designated position incumbent has any management responsibility.

1 Ordinance No. 364
ORDINANCE NO. 364

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PORTOLA, COUNTY OF PLUMAS, REPEALING ORDINANCE 284 AND AMENDING THE

CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE FOR THE CITY
WHEREAS, under the Political Reform Act (Government Code Sections 81000, et seq.) "No public official at any level of state or local government shall make, participate in making, or in any way attempt to use his official position to influence a governmental decision in which he knows or has reason to know he has a financial interest" (Government Code §87100); WHEREAS, the Political Reform Act requires every public official to disclose all his or her economic interests that could foreseeably be affected by the exercise of the official’s duties (Government Code §§87200-87313);
WHEREAS, the Political Reform Act requires every agency, including the City of Portola, to adopt and promulgate a Conflict of Interest Code (Government Code §87300); WHEREAS, a Conflict of Interest Code is a document which (1) designates the positions with an agency which make or participate in making governmental decisions which may foreseeably have a material effect on any financial interest and (2) sets out in paragraphs called disclosure categories the specific types of investments, business positions, interests in real property, and sources of income which must be reported by the designated positions; WHEREAS, a conflict of interest code adopted under the Political Reform Act consists of two basic parts: (1) the body of the code that contains basic provisions required by Government Code section 87302 (such as manner of reporting financial interests, the procedure for filing statements of economic interests, and the method to be used by designated positions when they are required to disqualify themselves from participating in decisions) and (2) the appendix of the code that lists the designated positions within an agency and the corresponding disclosure categories for each position;
WHEREAS, the Fair Political Practices Commission Regulation set forth in 2 Cal. Code of Regs., §18730 (a current copy of which is attached) contains provisions for the body of a Conflict of Interest Code and can be adopted by reference in a Conflict of Interest Code as the body of such a code, meaning that any changes to the required provisions of a Conflict of Interest Code will automatically be a part of the code;
WHEREAS, the City of Portola has adopted a conflict of interest code by its Resolution No. 1435, dated September 16, 1996,
WHEREAS, the City of Portola has adopted a conflict of interest code by Ordinance 284, dated November 8, 2000, and which rescinded in its entirety Resolution No. 1435; WHEREAS, the City Council desires to repeal Ordinance 284, dated November 8, 2000 and in its place adopt Ordinance 364;
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to approve, amend, and repeal conflict of interest codes in the future by resolution;
WHEREAS, the Political Reform Act requires the City of Portola to review its conflict of interest code biennially (on even numbered years) to determine if it is accurate, or, alternatively, that the code must be amended, and once the determination has been made, a notice must be submitted to the City Council of the City of Portola, the code reviewing body for City of Portola agencies;
WHEREAS, the City Clerk of the City of Portola has surveyed each department of the City of Portola concerning its conflict of interest code, submits this notice on behalf of each such agency, and gives notice that amendments to the conflict of interest code of the City of Portola are required and are incorporated into the Conflict of Interest Code for the City of Portola, as amended, attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference;

2 Ordinance No. 364
WHEREAS, such amendments are in the nature of adhering to the format of a Conflict of Interest Code recommended by the California Fair Political Practices Commission, including following the recommended language incorporating 2 Cal. Code of Regs. §18730 in the body of the Conflict of Interest Code and adding the Appendix, which contains definitions of “designated employees” and “consultants,” a list of designated positions required to file a Statement of Economic Interest, and disclosure category definitions; NOW, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORTOLA DOES HEREBY ORDAIN:

1. The Conflict of Interest Code adopted by Ordinance 284 of the City Council of the City of Portola, dated November 8, 2000, is hereby repealed in its entirety;

2. The attached Conflict of Interest Code for the City of Portola, including the Appendix attached thereto, is adopted as the City of Portola’s Conflict of Interest Code as required by the Political Reform Act, and is to be published in the Municipal Code of the City of Portola.

3. The City Council may approve, amend, and repeal conflict of interest codes in the future by resolution.

This Ordinance was introduced and read at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Portola duly held on the 12th day of August 2026 and was finally passed and adopted at Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Portola duly held on the {DAY} of {MONTH} 2026, by the following vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSTAIN:

ABSENT:
____________________________________
William Powers, Mayor
ATTEST:
__________________________________
Kristen Schiavone, Deputy City Clerk
I, Kristen Schiavone, Deputy City Clerk of the City of Portola, do hereby certify that the above and foregoing Ordinance was duly passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Portola at a regular meeting thereof held on {Month} {Date}, 2026. ____________________________________
Kristen Schiavone, Deputy City Clerk

3 Ordinance No. 364

CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE
The Political Reform Act (Government Code Sections 81000, et seq.) requires state and local government agencies to adopt and promulgate Conflict of Interest Codes. The Fair Political Practices Commission has adopted a regulation (2 Cal. Code of Regs., Section 18730) which contains the terms of a standard Conflict of Interest Code, which can be incorporated by reference in an agency’s code.

After public notice and hearing it may be amended by the Fair Political Practices Commission to conform to amendments in the Political Reform Act. Therefore, the terms of 2 California Code of Regulations Section 18730 and any amendments to it duly adopted by the Fair Political Practices Commission are hereby incorporated by reference. This regulation and the attached Appendix designating officials and employees and establishing disclosure categories, shall constitute the Conflict of Interest Code of the City of Portola.

Designated positions shall file their statements of economic interests with the City of Portola, which will make the statements available for public inspection and reproduction. (Gov.

Code Section 81008). Statements for all designated employees will be retained by the City of Portola. City Councilmembers, City Manager, City Attorney, and Finance Officer shall file directly with the Fair Political Practices Commission. All other designated positions shall file with the City Clerk who is hereby designated as the filing officer for the City of Portola's Conflict of Interest Code.

4 Ordinance No. 364

APPENDIX
Designated Positions: Those positions within the City of Portola the occupants of which may exercise independent judgment and make or participate in the making of governmental decisions which may foreseeably have a material effect on any financial interest.

Consultant: Individual who, pursuant to a contract with a state or local government agency:
(A) Makes a governmental decision whether to:
(1) Approve a rate, rule or regulation;
(2) Adopt or enforce a law;
(3) Issue, deny, suspend, or revoke any permit, license, application, certificate, approval, order or similar authorization or entitlement; (4) Authorize the agency to enter into, modify, or renew a contract provided it is the type of contract which requires agency approval; (5) Grant agency approval to a contract which requires agency approval and in which the agency is a party or to the specifications for such a contract; (6) Grant agency approval to a plan, design, report, study, or similar item; (7) Adopt, or grant agency approval of policies, standards, or guidelines for the agency, or for any subdivision thereof; or
(B) Serves in a staff capacity with the agency and in that capacity performs the same or substantially all the same duties for the agency that would otherwise be performed by an individual holding a position specified in the agency’s Conflict of Interest Code.

Consultants shall be included in the list of designated employees and shall disclose pursuant to the broadest disclosure category in the code subject to the following limitation:

The City Manager or the City Manager’s designee may determine in writing that a particular consultant, although a “designated position,” is hired to perform a range of duties that are limited in scope and thus is not required to fully comply with the disclosure requirements described in this section. Such written determination shall include a description of the consultant’s duties and, based upon that description, a statement of the extent of disclosure requirements. The City Manager or the City Manager’s designee’s determination is a public record and shall be retained for public record and made available for public inspection in the same manner and location as this Conflict of Interest Code.

The following is a listing of the designated positions that are required to submit Statements of Economic Interests pursuant to the Political Reform Act of 1974, as amended:

Designated Positions
Position Disclosure Category
Administrative Services Manager 1, 2
Building Inspector 1, 2
City Attorney § 87200 Filer
City Councilmembers § 87200 Filer
City Engineer 1, 2
City Manager § 87200 Filer
Director of Public Works 1, 2, 3
Finance Officer § 87200 Filer
Any other management employee or consultant who, as determined by the City Manager or the City Manager’s designee, as part of their duties, makes or participates in making governmental decisions that may foreseeably have a material effect on a financial interest shall file a disclosure statement pursuant to the appropriate category.

5 Ordinance No. 364
Disclosure Categories
§ 87200 Filer Disclosure requirements specified in Government Code Section 87200 1 Persons in this category shall disclose all interests in real property within or not more than two miles outside the boundaries of the City of Portola or within two miles of any land owned or used by the City of Portola.
2 Persons in this category shall disclose all investments and business positions in any business entity and sources of income of the type which, within the last two years, has contracted with the City to provide services, supplies, materials, machinery or equipment to the City.
3 Persons in this category shall disclose all investment and business positions in any business entity and sources of income of the type which, within the last two years, has contracted with the City to provide services, supplies, materials, machinery or equipment to the City department of which designated position incumbent has any management responsibility.