AGENDA
Any records relating to an agenda item, received by a majority or more of the Council less than 72 hours before the meeting, shall be available for inspection online and at City Hall, 1400 Fifth Avenue, and placed with other agendarelated materials on the table in front of the Council Chamber prior to the meeting. Sign Language interpreters may be requested by calling (415) 485-3066 (voice), emailing [email protected] or using the California Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing “711”, at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting. Copies of documents are available in accessible formats upon request. To request Spanish language interpretation, please submit an online form at https://www.cityofsanrafael.org/request-for-interpretation/.
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2026 AT 4:00 P.M.
In-Person:
City Hall Council Chambers
1400 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901
Watch Online:
Watch on Webinar: https://tinyurl.com/city-council-1
Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/cityofsanrafael
Listen by phone: (669) 444-9171
ID: 863-4489-1398#
Members of the public may speak on Agenda Items.
STUDY SESSION
a. 2026 Housing Study Session One
Presentation on Housing Development in San Rafael and Potential Changes to Housing Policies and Review Procedures (CED)
ADJOURNMENT:
____________________________________________________________________________________
FOR CITY CLERK ONLY
Council Meeting: _______________________
Disposition: ___________________________
Agenda Item No: SM a
Meeting Date: February 2, 2026
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Department: Community and Economic Development
Prepared by: Greg Minor
Assistant Director
City Manager Approval: ______________
TOPIC: 2026 HOUSING STUDY SESSION ONE
SUBJECT: PRESENTATION ON HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN SAN RAFAEL AND
POTENTIAL CHANGES TO HOUSING POLICIES AND REVIEW
PROCEDURES
INTRODUCTION:
In light of the new regulatory landscape for housing development in California, City staff propose holding two City Council study sessions in the first half of 2026 to (i) clarify what project elements local governments can influence, (ii) identify the types of housing San Rafael wants to encourage, and (iii) present policy and process adjustments for City Council consideration.
GOALS OF THE FIRST STUDY SESSION:
The goals of the first study session are as follows:
(1) Establish a baseline understanding of what levers of control local jurisdictions have over housing development; and
(2) Receive input from the City Council on whether to:
i. explore amendments to the downtown’s density requirements; ii. redefine the role of the planning commission with respect to the review of housing developments; and
iii. create a new ministerial process that encourages housing development that aligns with City Council priorities.
STUDY SESSION AGENDA:
The study session will commence with a staff presentation focusing on the following themes:
1. State Legislation and City Plans (approximately 10 minutes)
2. Current Development Activity in San Rafael (approximately 10 minutes)
3. Potential Policy and Process Adjustments (approximately 5 minutes) The remaining hour will allow for discussion and comments from the public and City Councilmembers followed by direction from the City Council on potential policy and process adjustments.
BACKGROUND RESOURCES:
Staff have provided resources with more details on state housing laws and City plans to complement the study session presentation.
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 2
A. State Laws that have been utilized in San Rafael over the last five years:
1. State Density Bonus Law Government Code Section 65915 – published legislation – 1979 Additional Resources:
i. SDBL Overview - California Association of Councils Governments – 2025 ii. Density Bonus Model Program Guidelines- Association of Bay Area Governments – 2025
2. Housing Accountability Act/SB330 - HAA- published legislation – 2019 Additional Resources:
i. Housing Accountability Dashboard- State of California Housing and Accountability Act Website that reflects the actions the Housing Accountability Unit (HAU) has taken since January 1, 2020.
3. State Bill 35 (2017) and its subsequent amendments, codified at Government Code Section 65913.4, et seq.- published legislation – September 2017 Additional Resources:
i. Findings from the first five years of SB 35- Report from the Terner Center – 2023
4. State Bill 9 (2021) and its subsequent amendments, codified at Government Code Section 65852.21 and 66411.7– published legislation – September 2021 Additional Resources:
i. Department of Housing and Community Development SB 9 Factsheet – 2024
5. Affordable Housing and High Road Jobs Act of 2022 – September 2022 Additional Resources:
i. Overview of AB 2011 prepared by the Association of Bay Area Governments
6. California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Resources i. California Environmental Quality Act - CEQA Primer by City of San Rafael ii. Exemptions:
a. Categorical: Memo prepared by the Southern California Association of Governments, including an overview of Class 32 Infill Development Projects. b. Statutory: AB 130 -published legislation – July 2025
1. Summary of Key Provisions in AB 130 prepared by the Association of Bay Area Governments
B. City of San Rafael Plans
1. General Plan 2040 (August 2021)
2. 2023-2031 Housing Element (May 2023)
3. Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan (August 2021)