notices relating to the local government’s housing element at least seven days before submitting to HCD.
For your information, pursuant to Government Code section 65583.3, subdivision (b), the City must utilize standards, forms, and definitions adopted by HCD when preparing the sites inventory and submit an electronic version of the sites inventory. While the City has submitted an electronic version of the sites inventory, since changes have occurred, future adopted versions of the element must also submit the electronic version of the sites inventory.
Several federal, state, and regional funding programs consider housing element compliance as an eligibility or ranking criteria. For example, the CalTrans Senate Bill (SB) 1 Sustainable Communities grant, the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities program, and HCD’s Permanent Local Housing Allocation consider housing element compliance and/or annual reporting requirements pursuant to Government Code section 65400. With a compliant housing element, the City will meet housing element requirements for these and other funding sources.
For your information, some general plan element updates are triggered by housing element adoption. HCD reminds the City to consider timing provisions and welcomes the opportunity to provide assistance. For information, please see the Technical Advisories issued by the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation at:
https://www.lci.ca.gov/planning/general-plan/guidelines.html.
HCD appreciates your collaboration and responsiveness to prepare the housing element. HCD looks forward to receiving the City’s adopted housing element and welcomes the opportunity to provide technical assistance through the adoption process.
If you have any questions or need additional technical assistance, please contact Irvin Saldana, of our staff, at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Paul McDougall
Senior Program Manager
Attachment 3:
Summary of Revisions
15.Update Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances
1. Amend the Zoning Ordinance to allow all group homes by right in residential zones, no matter the residential size. for small group homes (six persons or fewer) and with a conditional use permit for large facilities (seven persons or more) consistent with state law.
2. Amended the Zoning Ordinance to permit single-room occupancy (SRO) units subject to site plan review and without a conditional use permit in the R-2, R-3, and R-4 zones.
3. Amend Density Bonus Ordinance to incorporate new laws effective January 1, 2023.
4. Amend ADU regulations in compliance with laws effective as of January 1, 2023, such as (1) permitting 2-story ADUS and height allowances, and similar regulations, and prepare an ADU brochure (2) prioritize approval of applications for affordable ADU ahead of other ADU applications; and (3) Consider additional incentives to all ADUs or ADUs that could be deed restricted for meeting extremely low-income households.
5. Amend the Zoning Code and Subdivision Ordinances to comply with SB-9.
6. Amend Zoning Ordinance to implement Objective Design Standards for multi-family residential projects in commercial and mixed-use zones and objective design standards for multi-family projects with affordable housing in compliance with SB 167 (Housing Accountability Act), SB 35 (streamlined Affordable Housing) and SB 330 (Housing Crisis Act).
7. Amend Zoning Ordinance to permit housing for a Variety of Housing Types such as Low Barrier Navigation Centers in compliance with Government Code section 65660.
8. Amend Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances codes consistent with state housing related laws that are currently effective, and as amended in the future. beyond amendments mentioned in items 1 through 8 above, such that the city’s amendments are comprehensive.
9. Amend the Zoning Ordinance to comply with Health & Safety Code Section 17021.5 which requires employee housing for six or fewer employees to be treated as a singlefamily structure and permitted in the same manner as other dwellings of the same type in the same zone. Section 17021.6 requires employee housing consisting of no more than 36 beds in group quarters or 12 units or spaces designed for use by a single family or household, or that is approved pursuant to 17021.8, (Employee Housing applications for streamlined ministerial approval, not requiring a conditional use permit) shall be deemed an agricultural use.
10. For By-Right Permanent Supportive Housing, amend Zoning Ordinance to permit multifamily uses by right of zone where multifamily and mixed uses are permitted, including nonresidential zones, pursuant to Government Code section 65651, and increase supply of multi-family units with three or more bedrooms.
11. Amend Zoning Code to permit a two-year initial approval period for all development applications and a two-year extension by the Planning Director. This would remove a significant cost and time barrier that currently exists. Development applications associated with subdivision maps shall run with the life of the subdivision map as is permitted by city and state subdivision map act.
12. Amend Zoning Ordinance to increase heights (e.g., 48 feet) in the R-4 zone to allow for four stories.
13. Amend Zoning Ordinance to reduce the number of parking spaces per unit for studio and single room occupancy units.
Responsible Agency: Planning Department
Funding: General Fund
Time Frame/Metrics: By 2026.
Geo-targeting: City-wide.
19.Emergency Shelters
The City shall ensure compliance with Gov. Code §65583(a)(4) to plan to shelter people experiencing homelessness by adopting one of the following:
1. Establish an Emergency Shelter (ES) zone and development standards with sufficient capacity to accommodate the need for emergency shelters and compliant with Gov.
Code §65583(a)(4). (As described in more detail in the citied statute, a compliant location is usually vacant, sized to accommodate the need for emergency shelter identified in this housing program, including at least one year-round emergency shelter, located in a residential zone, or in a nonresidential zone that allows residential use near transportation, amenities, and homelessness services; or
2. Amend the zoning code to allow emergency shelters by-right in R-3 and R-4 zones and in zones where mixed uses are permitted.
In addition, amend zoning and development standards to comply with Gov. Code 65583(a)(4), including but not limited to revising the definition of emergency shelters and ensure appropriate parking requirements limited to employees.
Responsible Agency: Planning Department
Funding: General Fund
Time Frame/Metrics: December 2026.
Geo-targeting: City-wide.
21. Previously Identified Sites in Last Cycles
In compliance with Government Code Section 65583.2 c), the City will, upon adoption, allow by-right-development (without discretionary action) on any parcel that allows residential development that are listed in the prior two cycles of the Housing Element, for the purpose of meeting the 6th cycle lower-income RHNA obligations, given that the development include 20 percent affordable units for lower-income households. The City shall permit appropriate densities of at least 20 units per acre on such parcels. This program shall take effect upon adoption of this General Plan Housing Element and will be supplemented by administrative procedures (Zoning Code Amendment), as in Program 21.
Responsible Agency: Planning Department
Funding: General Fund
Time Frame/Metrics: This program shall take effect upon adoption of the housing element and will be supplemented by administrative procedures by December 2026.
Geo-targeting: City-wide.
23. Place-Based Neighborhood Revitalization.
Objective: The City will carry out a variety of neighborhood improvement efforts to revitalize the community and promote fair housing and access to resources and opportunities in all parts of the city. The City will improve neighborhoods and places that are most in need of place-based planning and improvement strategies, as well as places with the greatest capacity for accommodating housing for lower income households. Efforts will include, but are not limited to, the following:
▪ Planning. The City will identify local streets in need of improvement using the Pavement Management Plan, and identity resources such as SB 1 funds and other additional resources to repair local streets, giving priority to targeted areas with higher levels of poverty.
▪ Implementation. The City will continue to prioritize the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), annually, and seek additional funding and other resources toward community revitalization in targeted areas. Additionally, the City will continue to pursue concurrent efforts to improve infrastructure capacity in opportunity areas and in areas in need of capital improvements.
▪ Partnerships. As part of ongoing and regular coordination with regional housing advocates, the City will seek new partnerships with agencies and grant funding opportunities to implement neighborhood improvements as part of new housing projects.
Agency: City Administration/City Manager or designee
Funding: Departmental budget, grant funding (as available) Timeframe/Metrics: Identify programs for implementation by 2026, prioritize CIP funding annually and apply for funding every other year. Target 1-2 improvements per year.
Geo-targeting: Relatively lower-income neighborhoods.
28. Farmworker Housing
Provide housing opportunities to meet the special housing needs of farm workers, the City will:
1. Make a specific and at least annual effort to assist in the development of housing for farmworkers and conserve and improve the existing housing stock for farmworkers, including but not limited to:
o Contacting nonprofit developers at least every other year to identify opportunities for the development or improvement of housing for farmworkers.
o Coordinating and participating with regional organizations, including nonprofit, academic and employers, to raise awareness, share and employ strategies, and identify or target new resources.
o Providing incentives and other strategies beyond state density bonus law to encourage housing for farmworkers, supporting funding applications, prioritizing entitlements and establishing appropriate zoning and development standards.
o Targeting code enforcement and other resources to the existing housing stock with the most need for rehabilitation and sanitary conditions that could be more likely to house farmworkers and work with regional or other organizations to improve living conditions for farmworkers.
2. Seek state and federal monies, as funding becomes available for housing construction and rehabilitation targeted for farm workers. Give the highest priority to seeking funding that serves farm workers, the largest special needs group in the region.
3. Coordinate annually with organizations that serve farm workers (Kern County and non-profits, such as Cesar Chavez Foundation, Self-Help Enterprises, Farm workers Institute of Education and Leadership, and the Housing Assistance Council).
4. The city will also encourage the development of housing for farmworkers by assisting developers with site identification and providing technical assistance on funding applications. The city will also promote dialogue with farmers and farming advocates to encourage more private development of farmworker housing.
Objective: Develop information packages on developing farmworker housing and procedures to prioritize processing farmworker housing projects.
Maximize opportunities to address the housing needs of special needs groups within the city.
Agency: Planning Division, Building Division, and Grants Division Financing: General Fund, Departmental Budgets and State (CDBG or other funds) Time Frame/Metrics: Within 1 year of adoption of this housing element.
1. Conduct at least one (1) outreach meeting in a year.
2. Contact 5 farm housing developers or non-profits in a year.
3. Publish information on incentives available on the city’s website.
4. Apply for grant funds every 5 years, or earlier if an opportunity exists.
5. Construct and rehabilitate a total of 80 farm worker housing units during the 6th Cycle planning period.
Geo-targeting: City-wide.
30. Large Sites > 10 Acres
To assist with the development of housing affordable to lower income households on large sites >10 acres, the City will:
i. Facilitate land divisions, lot line adjustments, voluntary mergers resulting in parcel sizes that facilitate multi-family developments affordable to lower income households in light of state, federal, and local financing programs (i.e., 2–10-acre sites).
ii. Work with property owners, investors, and non-profit developers to target and market the availability of sites with the best potential for development.
iii. Offer incentives for the development of affordable housing, including but not limited to:
• Streamlining and expediting the approval process for land division for projects that include affordable housing.
• Ministerial review of voluntary mergers and lot line adjustments. • Develop an incentive program such as deferral or waiver of fees related to the subdivision for projects affordable to lower income households:
• Providing technical assistance to acquire funding, and • Modification of development requirements, as needed.
Objective: Ensure that large sites (>10 acres) are made suitable for development of affordable housing through subdivision or other means.
Agency: Planning Division and Engineering Division
Financing: CDBG Grants and General Fund
Time Frame/Metrics:
1. Develop informational flyers by June 2026;
2. Develop incentive program by December 2026.
3. Investigate the possibility of assisting deed restricted affordable housing projects with fee deferral loans, which could offer a term of up to 55 years accruing at a simple interest rate of 3 percent per year. The loan could be recorded against the property and can be notarized.
4. Provide incentives to two (2) affordable housing developments during the planning cycle.
5. Target the construction of 100 affordable housing units, especially for Low and Very -Low Income households.
Geo-targeting: City-wide.
32. Affordable Housing Program Inventory, Allocation of Resources, and Grant Applications.
Objective: Maximize the City’s and public ability to access governmental and private housing programs and thereby facilitate achievement of other Housing Program objectives, prioritizing resources in areas of High Segregation and Poverty.
• Annually explore public and private financial funding sources available to:
▪ Purchase affordability covenants on at-risk projects, ▪ Transfer ownership of at-risk projects to public or non-profit agencies, ▪ Purchase existing buildings to replace at-risk units, ▪ Construct replacement units, or
▪ Construct new units.
• Apply for the following grants for potential financial assistance:
▪ Project to assist in the provision of housing accessible for disabled residents
▪ (either new housing or retrofit of existing low-income housing), ▪ Grants to assist in the provision of housing for farm workers, ▪ Grants to assist the rehabilitation of existing low-income housing, ▪ Grants to assist the rehabilitation of housing within TCAC Areas of High
▪ Segregation & Poverty and other priority areas in Census Tracts with high poverty
▪ Grants to assist the provision of housing for large families and reduce ▪ overcrowding.
▪ Note: Not including the housing units assisted by rehabilitation grants targeting
▪ TCAC Areas of High Segregation & Poverty mentioned above, and target grants to the “Highest Resource Areas” as identified in the Resource Opportunity Map.
• If funding assistance is available for a specific project, the City will assist in the preparation of an application to the applicable program. • All available federal, state, local, and private affordable housing programs for new housing and for the conservation and/or rehabilitation of existing housing will be pursued, including, but not limited to, the following:
▪ Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Affordable Housing Program
(assistance for rehabilitation costs and closing costs for lower income households);
▪ Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) (for rehabilitation of lower
income and senior housing);
▪ HUD Single-Family Property Disposition Program (for rehabilitation of owner- occupied housing);
▪ Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program (for development of rental housing and preservation of existing affordable housing for large family units);
▪ Mercy Loan Fund (for new housing or for rehabilitation of housing for the disabled and lower-income households);
▪ Multi-family Housing Program (MHP) (for new construction, rehabilitation, and preservation of lower income housing through deferred loan payments);
▪ Neighborhood Housing Services (for rehabilitation of housing for lower income households);
▪ Proposition 84 (for development or conversion and rehabilitation of existing facilities for migrant farm worker housing);
▪ Rural Community Assistance Corporation (for new rental housing or rehabilitation of apartments for farm workers and lower-income households);
▪ Section 8 Housing Assistance (rent subsidies for very low-income households);
▪ Section 223(f) Mortgage Insurance for Purchase/Refinance (for acquisition and development of new rental housing);
▪ Section 241(a) Rehabilitation Loans for Multi-Family Projects (for energy conservation and rehabilitation of apartments); and
▪ World/BRIDGE Initiative (lower interest construction financing for lower income and farm worker housing).
Agency: City Manager or designee; Grants Manager
Funding: General Fund
Timeframe/Metrics:
1. Inventory: Ongoing—at least annually.
2. Grant applications: Ongoing, starting by 2026 and at least every other year thereafter.
Geo-targeting: City-wide.
36. Inclusionary Housing
The City will establish an Inclusionary Housing Program to create housing affordable to low, moderate, and or middle-income households in new buildings as follows:
1. Projects with 5 to 9 units:
a) 15% of the units (rental or ownership) shall be designated as affordable units. Alternatively, applicants may request to pay an inclusionary housing in-lieu fee instead of providing onsite units.
2. Projects with 10 or more units:
a) Rental: 20% of the total number of units shall be designated as affordable units. Alternatively, applicants may request to pay an inclusionary housing in-lieu fee instead of providing onsite units. b) Ownership: 15% of the total number of units shall be designated as affordable units. Alternatively, applicants may request to pay an inclusionary housing in-lieu fee instead of providing onsite units.
Agency: City Manager, Community Development
Funding: General Fund
Timeframe/Metrics: By December 2026.
Geo-targeting: City-wide.
37. Prioritize Resources to Areas of High Segregation & Poverty Objective: Assist and cooperate with nonprofit, private, and public entities to maximize opportunities to develop and preserve affordable housing.
The City will prioritize resources to address housing needs in Census Tracts 53, with the highest poverty rate of 26.2%, non-whites consisting of 46.9% of the population, and a tract with low resources, hereinafter called “priority neighborhood.” The City will:
• Facilitate the rehabilitation or replacement of housing units in need of rehabilitation or replacement in the priority neighborhoods, such as through building/code enforcement. City staff will help connect property owners to resources to address habitability issues (e.g., water, power, mold, weatherization).
• Apply for grants targeting housing needs in these priority neighborhoods, such as rehabilitation.
• Target rehabilitation funding to these priority neighborhoods, to assist at least 15 units rehabilitated.
• Target at least 10% of funding from sources identified in Program 30 to these priority neighborhoods to facilitate housing for lower-income households. • Do a targeted distribution of fair housing information to housing units in these priority neighborhoods at least once every 2 years. • The City will first make improvements and repairs to parks and public space (recreation, streets, sidewalks, drainage, and other infrastructure) in the prioritized neighborhoods. The current and future improvements and repairs to parks and public spaces that have already been prioritized and are currently being planned and/or built in the prioritized neighborhoods. • During development of the next comprehensive General Plan update, develop a bicycle and pedestrian plan for the entire City limits that includes the priority neighborhoods and that emphasizes safe routes to schools.
Agency: Planning Department, Public Works Department
Funding Source: General Fund and other sources if available.
Timeframe/Metrics: Ongoing; provide annual report; apply for grants starting by 2026.
Target 1-2 improvements per year.
Geo-targeting: City-wide with emphasis on relatively lower-income households, including but not limited Census Tract 53.
39. Zoning Code Amendment for Special Housing Needs, Low-Income, and ModerateIncome Housing To eliminate regulatory barriers and promote housing access for special needs populations and lower-income households, the City will amend its Zoning Ordinance to comply with applicable provisions of State housing law. These changes will support the development of emergency shelters, supportive housing, single-room occupancy units (SROs), and other affordable housing forms, while aligning local regulations with Government Code Sections 65651, 65583, and 68654.
Objectives and Actions:
1. Supportive Housing Streamlining (Gov. Code § 65651):
Permit 100% affordable housing developments that include at least 25% supportive housing units or a minimum of 12 supportive units (whichever is greater) by right (ministerial approval) in all zoning districts where multifamily and mixed-use residential uses are permitted.
2. Parking Flexibility for Special Housing Types (Gov. Code § 68654 and § 65583):
• Eliminate parking requirements for supportive housing located within ½ mile of public transit.
• Adopt objective parking standards for emergency shelters and transitional housing consistent with State mandates.
• Revise parking requirements for residential care facilities to ensure parity with similarly situated residential uses (e.g., single-family, multifamily) without additional burdens.
• Modify parking standards for low-income and moderate-income housing as follows:
o Require only 1 optional covered space for lower-income single-family units, studios, SROs, and tiny homes.
o For moderate- and above-moderate multifamily units, require 1 covered space plus 1 additional uncovered space per unit.
o Eliminate guest parking requirements across all affordable housing types to reduce development costs and land use inefficiencies.
3. Priority Processing and Development Incentives:
Allow priority processing and offer concessions, waivers, and modified development standards (e.g., reduced setbacks, increased height or density) for housing developments targeting extremely low-income households (≤30% of AMI). Ensure local procedures align with State Density Bonus Law and fair housing obligations.
Responsible Agency: Planning Department
Funding Source: General Fund
Timeframe & Metrics: Adopt zoning amendments by December 2026. • Zoning Code revised to reflect statutory requirements • Number of affordable or supportive housing units benefitting from amended standards
• Decrease in permitting time or costs for qualifying projects Geo-targeting: City-wide
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City Council Resolution - 2023-2031 Housing Element Update & Fair Housing Analysis RESOLUTION NO. ________
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RIDGECREST ADOPTING THE 2023-2031 DRAFT GENERAL PLAN HOUSING ELEMENT & THE
FAIR HOUSING ANALYSIS AND AUTHORIZING STAFF TO SUBMIT THE SAME
TO THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT FOR CERTIFICATION
WHEREAS, the City of Ridgecrest has authorized the 2023-2031 update of the General Plan Housing Element, and the preparation of a Fair Housing Analysis; and WHEREAS, the Draft Housing Element and the Fair Housing Analysis were prepared in accordance with State Housing Element Law and Guidelines of the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD); and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission has conducted a Scoping meeting on the matter on February 28, 2023; a Workshop on May 8, 2023; and a public hearing on September 7, 2023 and recommended that the City Council review the Draft Housing Element and the Fair Housing Analysis; and
WHEREAS, a notice of public hearing and a 30-day Notice of Availability of the Draft Housing Element & the Fair Housing Analysis was published and the said hearing was conducted by the Planning Commission on September 7, 2023; and subsequently by the City Council on September 20, 2023, notices of which were duly published by the city.
WHEREAS, the Revised Draft Housing Element was published on the City’s website for a 7-day period on July 22, 2026;
WHEREAS, the Final Draft Housing Element was reviewed by the City Council at its meeting on August 5, 2026, notices of which were duly published on July 31, 2026, by the city.
WHEREAS, The City of Ridgecrest’s 6th Cycle (2023–2031) Housing Element builds upon and evaluates the goals, policies, objectives, and programs adopted in prior Housing Element cycles, including the 5th Cycle (2015-2023) Housing Element. Many of the policies and programs carried forward into the current Housing Element were previously analyzed under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as part of the City’s General Plan and prior Housing Element updates and do not require additional environmental review at this time. All programs contained within the 6th Cycle (2023–2031) Housing Element can be reasonably determined with certainty to have no potential for causing a significant environmental effect, as they consist of policy-level planning actions that do not authorize physical development. Accordingly, these programs are exempt from CEQA review pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines §Section 15061(b)(3), commonly known as the “common sense” exemption.
In addition, it can be seen with certainty that the statutory exemption provided by CEQA Guidelines § 15283 (Housing Needs Allocation) applies to this Housing Element update with respect to RHNA. This exemption provides that CEQA does not apply to RHNA determinations made by HCD pursuant to §65584 of the Government Code, as adopting the Hosing Element can
City Council Resolution - 2023-2031 Housing Element Update & Fair Housing Analysis been seen as an action to implement a regional housing needs determination, as provided to the County by HCD. Lastly, it can be seen with certainty that portions of this Housing Element update qualify for the categorical exemption established by CEQA Guidelines § 15332 (In-Fill Development Projects).
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Ridgecrest find, determine, resolve and recommend as follows:
1. The above recitals are true and correct.
2. The City Council hereby Adopt the Housing Element and authorize staff to submit the 2023-2031 Draft Housing Element and Fair Housing Analysis to the California Department of Housing and Community Development for Certification.
3. The City Council hereby determine that the Housing Element Update is from CEQA review pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines §Section 15061(b)(3), commonly known as the “common sense” exemption; statutorily exempt per Section15283 (Housing Needs Allocation) pursuant to §65584 of the Government Code; and categorically exempt per Section 15332 (In-Fill Development Projects).
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Ridgecrest at their meeting thereof held on the 5 th day of August 2026 by
the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
__________
Travis Endicott, Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________
Ricca Charlon, City Clerk
City Council Resolution - 2023-2031 Housing Element Update & Fair Housing Analysis Exhibit A – 2023 Housing Element Update
Fair Housing Analysis