2023
General Plan
Annual Report
SP2024-0002
City of Santa Maria
Prepared by the
Community Development Department
March 2024
ATTACHMENT A
CHAPTER I
Introduction and Summary
I - 1
CHAPTER I –
INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY
A.
Purpose of the Annual Report
Section 65400 of the California Government Code requires the City to file an annual report addressing the status of the General Plan and the progress made toward goals and objectives. The annual report provides a means to monitor the success of implementing the General Plan and determine if changes need to be made in the plan or its implementation programs. In conformance with Government Code, The City submits this report to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and to the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) each year.
B.
Purpose of the General Plan
The General Plan articulates the community's goals, objectives, policies, and implementation measures (i.e., ways to achieve the goals and objectives). The General Plan is a public document and is available for all to read and use as needed. Copies are available for review at the San ta Maria Public Library, the City Clerk's Office, and on the City website. Each member of the City Council and the Planning Commission, as well as each City department, has a copy of the General Plan.
As an informational document, the General Plan describes existing conditions, makes projections, and establishes a vision for the community's future. The General Plan provides the public with information about the City and the direction that it seeks to move.
As a policy document, the General Plan establishes guidelines for decision-makers. Using these guidelines, the City Council and Planning Commission take incremental steps toward achieving the larger goals of the City. The City applies implementation programs contained in the General Plan through day-to-day operations of the City.
C.
Status of the Adopted Elements of the City’s General Plan State law requires that a General Plan address the following topics: Land Use, Circulation, Housing, Safety, Noise, Conservation, Open Space and Environmental Justice. The General Plan may present each topic as a distinct Element or may combine the topic discussions as appropriate. For example, the City’s current Resource Management Element combines the Conservation and Open Space topics, and includes discussions on Growth Management, Recreation and Parks, and Public Facilities and Services . Optional subjects may also be included as an element of the General Plan, such as the City’s Economic Development Element.
In November 2019, the City Council authorized a comprehensive update of the General Plan, which is currently underway. Each of the existing Elements will be updated, including integrated Environmental Justice goals and policies.
The City will analyze c urrent and future trends in technology, consumer and workplace behaviors, and other trends that impact local land use and the economy . P olicies and recommendations that will best meet the needs of the growing community. The update will also serve to meet a wide range of state statutory requirements, including, but not limited to, those pertaining to land use, environment, and housing. This new General Plan will define the vision for the next 20 to 25 years of the City, and is anticipated for adoption in 2025.
State Government Code Section 65580 includes deadlines which only apply to Housing Elements. In order to comply with these deadlines, the City prepared the update to the Housing Element separately from the other Elements. The City Council adopted the Sixth Cycle Housing Element on December 5, 2023, and HCD certified the adopted housing element, finding it to be in substantial compliance with State Housing Element Law (Gov. Code, § 65580 et seq) , on January 2, 2024. Once the other Elements are developed, the adopted Housing Element will be amended as necessary to ensure consistency across all of the Elements.
CHAPTER II
Implementation of the
General Plan
II - 1
CHAPTER II –
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GENERAL PLAN
The City of Santa Maria’s implementation programs identified in the General Plan include tools already in place and used on a day -to-day basis in the City. Some of the various tools available to further the City’s goals and objectives include the Budget/Capital Improvement Program , Specific Plans and Master Plans, Zoning and Subdivision Regulations, Growth Impact Mitigation (AB1600) Fees, CDBG/HOME Funds and Grants, Development Agreements, and Improvement Districts. These and other implementation activities are described below.
A.
Planning Commission
The City of Santa Maria’s Planning Commission is designated as the “Planning Agency,” as authorized by Section 65100 of the State Government Code and Section 12- 2.117 of the Santa Maria Municipal Code. The Commission has discretionary and advisory responsibilities that are authorized by Chapter 2-15 of the Municipal Code and delegated under Title 11 (Subdivision Ordinance) and Title 12 (Zoning).
During 2023, the Commission held 16 public meetings and 15 study sessions. One of the study sessions was educational, providing information on updates to State Housing Laws.
The Planning Commission acted on 32 discretionary permits during 2023, including actions on three Amendments to existing Permits. In the advisory role, the Planning Commission forwarded written recommendations to the City Council on the following:
• 1 General Plan Land Use Map and Zoning Map Amendment
• 2 Downtown Permits
• 2 Planned Development Permits for an associated General Plan Amendment and a Specific Plan Amendment
• The General Plan Land Use Alternatives and the Housing Element Update Chart II-1 provides a comparison of the Planned Development Permits, Conditional Use Permits, and General Plan/Zoning Amendment applications acted upon by the Planning Commission during the past five years.
* Considers amendments to previously approved discretionary projects and project denials 23 7
3 14
5 3
7 3 3
12 10
1 14
9 1
0 5
10 15
20 25
Planned Development Permits Conditional Use Permits General Plan/Zoning Map Amendment Recommendations
Chart II-1
Planning Commission Actions*
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
II - 2
B.
Zoning Text Amendments
The Planning Commission provides recommendations to the City Council on proposed text amendments of Santa Maria Municipal Code Title 12, referred to as the Zoning Ordinance. The Planning Commission made a recommendation on one such Title 12 technical text amendment in 2023, which dealt with both Accessory Dwelling Units and Project Time Extensions.
C.
General Plan Map Amendments
There was one General Plan (Land Use) Policy Map amendment presented to the City Council in 2023, changing a Land Use Classification for a property owned by the Santa Maria Cemetery District.
D.
Land Divisions
The Planning Commission approved three Tract Maps in 2023, all associated with the Blosser Ranch project. The City Council approved one Tract Map in 2023 for the Skylight Homes single- family residential development which followed a recommendation of approval from the Planning Commission in December of 2022.
E.
Specific Plans
The Planning Commission provides recommendations to the City Council on new Specific Plans and proposed amendments to existing Specific Plans. There was one Specific Plan amendment application during the past year , with the Planning Commission recommending the City Council approve the Santa Maria Airport Business Park Specific Plan amendment request in December 2023, with the City Council approval occurring in early 2024.
F.
Building and Safety Division
The Building and Safety Division is responsible for administration and enforcement of state and local codes, ordinances and regulations dealing with the construction, alteration, maintenance and use of structures, appurtenances and land. These regulations include the building, housing, dangerous building, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, swimming pool, and sign codes, as well as the California State Mobile Home Park regulations and City zoning ordinances.
The Building and Safety Division continues to publish Monthly Building Permit Reports.
Copies of the reports from 2003 to the present are maintained as public information on the City webpage.
1. Board of Appeals
The Building and Safety Division also provides staff support to the seven- member Board of Appeals which hears appeals of decisions made by the City Building Official, and makes recommendations regarding California Building Code provisions. No appeals were submitted or heard in 2023.
II - 3
2. Title 9 – Building Regulations
The following building regulations were in effect in 2023: The 20 22 California Building Code, Residential Code, Historical Building Code, Existing Building Code, Energy Code, Fire Prevention Code, Plumbing Code, Electrical Code, Mechanical Code, Green Building Standards Code, and the 20 21 International Property Maintenance Code.
3. Permits and Inspections
In 2023, the Building Division received 2,726 building permit applications , issued 2,366 building permits, and received 38 sign permit applications and issued 30 sign permits. Building Division staff inspected 14,980 construction and safety related site and building improvements during the past year , 313 of which were in association with new Business Licenses.
4. Issued Permits – Residential Units
In 2023, the City issued 449 building permits for 454 new residential units (3 mobile homes, 28 single-family, 415 accessory dwelling units, and 8 multi-family units).
5. Completed Residential Units
After conducting final inspections, the City issued certificates of occupancy for 308 completed residential units (4 single-family, 301 accessory d welling units, and 3 multi-family units) in 2023.
Chart II- 2 below provides a comparison of the overall number of building permit applications received, building permits issued and new residential unit building permits issued during the past five years.
1952 1908
494
2004 1885
269
2670
2417
514
2837
2503
503
2726
2366
449
0 500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
Building Permit Applications Received Building Permits Issued Building Permits Issued for New Residential Units
Chart II - 2
Building Permit Activity
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
II - 4
G.
Planning Division
Planning Division activities include administration of the City's General Plan, development and subdivision review, preparation and improvement of specific plans, preparation of zoning ordinances, processing annexations, bikeway implementation, providing demo- graphic and census information, conducting environmental review, and informing the public of the City's land use policies and development ordinances. The Planning Division reviews federal, state, and county legislation, projects of concern to the City, and responds to surveys from the State.
The Planning Division provides staff support to the Planning Commission and the Zoning Administrator. Administrative functions include the scheduling of meetings, preparation of agendas, posting hearing notices, and preparation of minutes. The City posts Planning Commission and Zoning Administrator meeting agendas and minutes on the City webpage.
Planning staff provides land use analysis, environmental review as required under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and prepares draft discretionary permits , resolutions, ordinances, and staff reports for the Planning Commission and City Council.
The Planning Division also manages work on policy documents, such as the General Plan Update. Planning Division coordinates the consultants working on the update effort, and oversees State grant funds which the Division obtained for the effort.
The Planning Division publishes a city -wide list of proposed and approved development projects in the City. A summary map is included as well. This list is updated every six months. Current and past development activity reports continue to be maintained for public inspection on City webpage.
H.
Project Application Activity
The Planning Division received the following types of applications during 2023 (project type prefix in parenthesis):
1 General Plan Land Use Map and Zoning Map amendments (GPZ) 20 Planned Development Permits (PD)
24 Conditional Use Permits (U)
9 Lot Line Adjustment/Mergers (SUB)
6 Project amendments (A)
12 Downtown Permits (DT)
4 Planning Permits (P)
5 Pre-Applications (PRE) (fee estimates and/or conceptual reviews) 10 Special Projects (SP), 9 of which were City initiated 91 Temporary Activity Permits (TUP)
17 Zoning Verifications / Substantial Conformity Determinations (ZA) 1 Specific Plan Amendment (SPZ)
II - 5
The Community Development Department also received 288 business license applications, many of which included Home Occupation requests. The City did not receive any Certificate of Compliance applications or any non-technical applications to amend Santa Maria Municipal Code Title 12 (the Zoning Ordinance) during 2023. Chart II- 3 provides a comparison of the Planned Development Permits, Conditional Use Permits, and General Plan/Zoning Amendment applications received over the past five years.
I.
Housing Element Annual Reporting
As with prior years, Chapter III of this Annual Report describes the actions taken (by the City) in implementing the Housing Element, including meeting the Regional Housing Needs Assessment allocation, during the previous calendar year (Government Code Section 65400). This information must be provided in forms and tables provided by HCD.
State legislation requires that the City provide substantial amounts of data for every stage of a residential unit’s progress, from initial discretionary application, entitlement approval , building permit application and issuance, and ultimately the completion of each unit as documented by the issuance of a certificate of occupancy. As the resulting HCD tables require extremely large multi-page spreadsheets, the following Chapter III provides summaries of the table information.
The raw data tables are provided to HCD and OPR, and are available for review at the Community Development Department.
11 18
3 9
14 2
12 20
3 17
12 3
20 24
1 0
5 10
15 20
25 30
Planned Development Permits Conditional Use Permits General Plan/Zoning Amendment Chart II - 3
Discetionary Applications Received
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
II - 6
CHAPTER III
Housing Element
Annual Report
(CCR Title 25 §6202)
III - 1
California Department of Housing and Community Development Housing Element Annual Progress Report Forms and Tables – 2023 Summary
Table A – Housing Development Applications.
The City deemed ten applications for residential projects complete for processing in 2023.
For this HCD reporting, an “application” is a formal submittal of a project for approval and is either an application for a discretionary entitlement, or where only a ministerial process is required (e.g., zoned by right). Between the ten applications, 1,339 residential units are proposed, consisting of 1,213 Above Moderate- Income units, 79 Low-Income Deed Restricted and 47 Very Low-Income Deed Restricted. No Moderate-Income applications were applied for in 2023.
Table A2 – Annual Building Activity Report Summary
The City issued discretionary entitlements, building permits, and issued certificates of occupancy for competed residential units during 202 3. These actions resulted in the following residential units:
Building Permits Issued – Total 454 Units
0 Very Low-Income Deed Restricted
0 Low-Income Deed Restricted
415 Low-Income Non-Deed Restricted Units
0 Moderate Income Deed Restricted
39 Above-Moderate Income Units
Certificates of Occupancy – Total 308 Units
301 Low-Income Non-Deed Restricted Units
7 Above Moderate Units
III - 2
Table B – Regional Housing Needs Allocation Progress
Permitted Units Issued by Affordability
1 Projection
Period 2 3 4
Income Level
RHNA
Allocation
by
Income
Level
Projection
Period -
06/30/2022-
02/14/2023
2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031
Total
Units
to
Date
(all
years)
Total
Remaining
RHNA by
Income
Level
Very Low
Deed
Restricted
1,032
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,032 Non-Deed
Restricted
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Low
Deed
Restricted
536
184
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
794
- Non-Deed
Restricted
195
415
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Moderate
Deed
Restricted
731
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
731 Non-Deed
Restricted
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Above
Moderate
3,119
16 39
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
55 3,064
Total RHNA
5,418
Total Units
395
454
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
849
4,827
Note: Units serving extremely low-income households are included in the very low-income totals.
III - 3
Table C – Sites Identified or Rezoned to Accommodate Shortfall Housing Need Completion of t his table is only required if a jurisdiction has a shortfall of available sites for the development of housing pursuant to Government Code Section 65583. Th rough the Sixth-Cycle Housing Element, the City of Santa Maria documented sufficient available sites for the development of the C ity’s fifth-cycle Regional Housing Needs Assessment allocation.
The City adopted the Sixth-Cycle Housing Element on December 5, 2023, with HCD finding the Element to be in substantial compliance with State Housing Element Law (Gov. Code, § 65580 et seq) on January 2, 2024. The City has a total allocation of 5,418 units for the 2023 to 2031 RHNA planning period. The Sixth-Cycle Housing Element documents the presence of sufficient sites available within the City to accommodate this current RHNA cycle; therefore, the completion of this table is not necessary.
Table D – Program Implementation Status
Housing Element
Program
Description
Housing Programs Progress Report - Government Code Section 65583.
Describe progress of all programs including local efforts to remove governmental constraints to the maintenance, improvement, and development of housing as identified in the housing element.
NOTE: All Programs are found in Chapter VI of the City of Santa Maria Fifth-Cycle Housing Element, adopted March 17, 2015 Name of Program Objective Timeframe Status of Program Implementation Program 1 –
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAM
Agriculture is a basic industry in the North County. However, a majority of the housing and social service burdens are borne by the City of Santa Maria without benefit of the tax base to support the excess services required by the increased population. By expanding the non- agricultural employment sectors –especially in the job sectors with high employment multipliers–the City can increase the balance between jobs and housing in the City. Improving housing conditions often depends on having strong economic growth and better paying jobs available to local workers.
Employment generated by commercial and industrial enterprises increases the ability of workers to afford better housing (meeting building codes, uncrowded, low housing cost burden) without governmental intervention. Santa Maria strongly supports the efforts of the Santa Maria Valley Economic Development Commission with staff and monetary assistance. The City has adopted an Economic Development Element. The Economic Development Element reiterates the needs for jobs -housing balance and economic diversity to expand the job- housing opportunities available to the City residents.
Replace Program
(Removed from Sixth-
Cycle Housing Element)
While significant strides in economic
development (and the development
of jobs) since the adoption of the 5
th
Cycle Housing Element, the City
continues to have an excess of
housing units compared to jobs.
Therefore, new programs supporting
the goal of achieving a jobs housing
balance will be incorporated into
other Elements through the City’s
General Plan Update, expected for
completion in 2025.
III - 4
Program 2 –
ANNEXATION
PROGRAM
The City actively encourages residential development through annexation of land suitable for development. Residential development, constrained as a municipality approaches build-out within its jurisdictional boundaries, requires more land or more intense use of existing land. The type and tenure of housing choice for low and very low-income households becomes
limited as residential development slows.
Additionally, as build-out approaches, the economics of supply and demand come into operation. As housing supply diminishes but demand remains strong, housing costs inevitably rise. This situation further constrains housing choice for low-income households.
Ongoing
(Continued in Sixth-
Cycle Housing Element
as Program 1.F
Annexation Program)
The City continues to process
annexation requests from private
property owners, for territories within
our adopted Sphere of Influence. An
example of a recent project being
processed by the City is Richards
Ranch proposing to annex 44 acres
of property currently located in
unincorporated Santa Barbara
County, California.
The City is also considering further
annexation as a component of the
General Plan Update.
Program 3 –
MIXED USE
DEVELOPMENT/
ADAPTIVE RE-
USE
Via the adopted mixed-use ordinance, the City encourages the use of suitable under-utilized and/or abandoned commercial motels to be converted to residential use and allows for mixed-use purposes via zoning incentives and/or state funded housing programs. The City allows housing above ground floor commercial uses in certain land use designations. Expanding the densities and housing mixtures within the four-square mile (4SM) central core area provides greater flexibility in mixing uses that more rigid Euclidean zoning standards typically segregate. The Mixed- Use Ordinance increases the flexibility of the zoning district to support compatible uses from other zoning districts. The ordinance grants the Zoning Administrator, Planning Commission, and City Council increasing levels of power to allow reduced standards for parking, setbacks, landscaping, open space, or increased height. The ordinance is a “design based” regulation, which understands that the inside of the structure will change over time and allows the adaptation to occur without government controls. Spaces may be mixed and "re-mixed" to meet the needs of the building markets. The Mixed-Use Ordinance is Chapter 49 of Title 12 of the Municipal Code.
Ongoing
(Continued in Sixth-
Cycle Housing Element
– See Policy 1.3 and
Program 1.C: Mixed-use
Development under
Goal 1: Promote New
Housing Construction)
The City continues to process mixed
use development requests, as they
are initiated from private property
owners, in accordance with Chapter
12-49 of the Santa Maria Municipal
Code. An example of a recent
project being processed by the City
is the Park Edge Mixed-Use
development.
Program 4 –
DENSITY
BONUSES
The City provides housing incentives, in the form of greater density than would otherwise be allowed under the current zoning designation, for developers willing to construct affordable housing units. State Law does not require the City to promote the use of Density Bonus provisions. It has been properly adopted and is part of the zoning code (effective January 18, 2007) for housing developers to use as a tool.
Density bonus provisions may be applied to overcome specific design issues that require relief from the code standards.
Ongoing
(Continued in Sixth-
Cycle Housing Element
Program 1.B: Density
Bonus)
The City continues to process
density bonus requests, as they are
initiated from private property
owners, in accordance with Chapter
12-48 of the Santa Maria Municipal
Code. For instance, on February 1,
2023 the Planning Commission
approved the applicant's requested
12.5% Density Bonus for the
Barcellus Senior Affordable
Apartment project (PD2022-0015)
III - 5
Program 5 –
HOMEBUYER
ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM
The Housing Trust Fund of Santa Barbara County operates the Workforce Homebuyer Down Payment Program that provides pre-purchase counseling, deferred payment down payment loans and closing cost grants to assist low-income families within the City of Santa Maria in purchasing an entry -level home. The program removes financial barriers of homeownership by lowering home acquisition and carrying costs. Part of the City’s portion of the Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) funding that comes to the C ity through the County’s PLHA Consortium will be used to provide funding for closing costs as part of a workforce homebuyer down payment assistance loan program offered by the Housing Trust Fund of Santa Barbara County (HTF). The HTF received a significant amount of CalHOME funding from the state to provide a 30-year, deferred down payment loan of 20 percent of the home purchase price, up to $100,000 per qualified homebuyer.
Santa Maria, in collaboration with Santa Barbara County, is assisting the HTF by using its PLHA funds to provide additional funding for closing costs of up to $5,000.
The homebuyer financial assistance helps expand homeownership opportunities for working families. Participants under this program must have a combined household income that falls within the federal and state definition of low income, or up to the maximum of 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI). In addition, homebuyers seeking assistance under this program must meet the following criteria: 1) Applicant must live or work within Santa Barbara County; 2) Applicant must qualify as a first-time homebuyer under the program definition; 3) Homebuyer must occupy their home as a principal residence for the duration of the loan; 4) The size of the eligible home must be sufficient for the household so that there is no overcrowding; and 5) Borrower must compl ete a homebuyer education program, secure pre-approval of a first mortgage loan from a participating lender, have their income certified and have satisfactory credit and job/income stability.
Ongoing
A modified version of
this program continues
in the Sixth-Cycle
Housing Element. The
new focus is on
assistance to residents
to purchase homes and
securing funding. The
revision also removes
citations to no longer
available funding
sources.
PLHA funding comes to counties
and cities in California from Senate
Bill 2 (SB2), also known as the
Building Homes and Jobs Act Fee.
SB2 established a $75 recording fee
on real estate documents to
increase the supply of affordable
housing in California. Funding
coming to the County’s consortium
(which the city is part of) from the
State’s Permanent Local Housing
Allocation (PLHA) will set aside a
portion of the allocation towards the
Workforce Homebuyer Program.
In addition, the City continues to
seek various forms of grant funding
to provide appropriate housing.
Program 6 –
HOUSING
INCENTIVES
PROGRAM
Federal funding sources can be used to reduce overall costs and are designed to meet the housing needs of low -income households. Programs can be tailored to develop new sites or redevelop deteriorated properties. It is applicable to various types of projects: single family detached, condominiums, cooperatives, and non- profit rental developments. The key incentives to date have been l and acquisition, public improvements, on -site improvements and housing construction. Funding is provided primarily through Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) program funds. Partnerships with non- profit developers with the expertise to access state, federal and private funds have proved successful. These developers can provide assurances regarding affordability for long-term ownership and rental assistance. The Housing Incentives Program could also be used in concert with additional cost reductions and incentives already offered through the density bonus, mixed use and four -square- mile ordinances, including:
• Reducing Site Development Standards
• Reducing Infill Development Fees
• Increasing Site Design Flexibility for Affordable Housing • Increasing Land Use Flexibility
• Establishing Four Square Mile (4SM) Area Standards
Ongoing
A modified version of
this program is
continued in the Sixth-
Cycle Housing Element,
with the goal of securing
State and federal
funding for low- and
moderate-income
housing developments.
See the Sixth-Cycle
Housing Element
programs under Goal 1:
Promote New Housing
Construction
The City continues to support
methods to meet the housing needs
of low to moderate income
households. The City is a member of
the Santa Barbara County's HOME
Consortium and currently is using
part of its HOME funds to help with
rental deposits within the City limits.
The other part of the funding is
typically assigned to affordable
housing projects in the City. The City
is also part of the Permanent Local
Housing Allocation (PLHA)
Consortium which will help fund
affordable housing projects and
programs.
In addition, the municipal code
continues to maintain ordinances
that already provide cost reductions
and incentives.
III - 6
Program 7 –
EXPANSION OF
CODE
ENFORCEMENT
PROGRAM
During the previous planning period, the Code Enforcement Division worked closely with the Community Development Department in development of the Efficiency Unit Project Ordinance. This ordinance will address many substandard housing issues that the Code Enforcement officers observe in the field and will facilitate safe and healthy housing opportunities for all income levels.
The Code Enforcement staff consists of f ive full-time officers and one Code Enforcement Technician. A major focus of these officers’ efforts is to address reports of substandard living space that has been constructed without permits.
Officers work with owners to reconstruct the substandard living space so that it is safe and decent to live in. The result of these efforts is to greatly increase the supply of housing affordable to persons with low incomes. In addition, it provides families with lower incomes the opportunity to live in a single-famil y residential setting. An example is the legal conversion of an existing garage into a safe and habitable living space. The converted space may not be used as a separate stand-alone unit since no more than one kitchen facility is permitted in a single-family dwelling. In any event, the City does not endorse illegal garage conversions as a method to create additional dwelling units.
Replace Program
This Program duplicates
Program #13 of the
Fifth-Cycle Housing
Element.
This focus will continue
in the programs of the
Sixth-Cycle Housing
Element, under Goal 2,
Conserve and Improve
Existing Housing Stock.
The focus of Code Enforcement
Division when dealing with
residential properties is to ensure
the health and safety of residents.
Program 8 –
PRIORITIZATION
OF SERVICES
As required by Government Code Section 65589.7, the City has adopted a written policy providing for priority of water and sewer services to affordable housing developments.
Ongoing
Continued in Sixth-
Cycle Housing Element
as Program 1.E:
Prioritization of Services
City Council Resolution 2006-155
remains in force.
Program 9 –
PERMIT
PROCESSING
The City processes permits as quickly and efficiently as possible. The Community Development Department coordinates the review and decision-making on required permits and also provides information regarding the status of all applications and permits for residential developments. The permit processing of the City attempts to gather, organize, and distribute the information needed by applicant/developers, staff, Planning Commission, and City Council. City staff coordinates meetings between applicants, staff and professionals to keep project processing running smoothly. Staff offers courtesy inspections and phased approvals to low -income housing projects to shorten the time between initial application and occupancy.
Ongoing
Continued in the
programs of the Sixth-
Cycle Housing Element
under Goal 3: Reduce
or Remove Government
Constraints on Housing
The City’s maintains its focus to
streamline the building permit
process for all projects, including
those with affordable housing. For
example, of the 262 residential
building permits issued in 2020
involving new units, the average
time from building permit application
to issuance of the building permit
was 132 days.
Program 9(a) –
CONDITIONAL
USE PERMIT
PROCESS
MONITORING
During the previous planning period, the City instituted a monitoring program of the conditional use permit process. Under this program , the City is to prepare a report every two years, evaluating the impacts and potential constraints to multi -family development in the R-3 zone. The report will be referenced in the progress report required pursuant to Government Code Section 65400. The evaluation will consider approvals and denials, number of applications, length of approval process, and types of conditions imposed including cost and any reductions in the initially proposed number of units. The City will solicit and consider input from developers including non-profit organizations as part of the evaluation process. If the City determines that the process does pose a constraint to the development of housing including housing affordable to lower-income households, the City will evaluate the necessary steps to remove or mitigate the constraint such as replacing the CUP Ongoing
The program is now
included in the Sixth-
Cycle Housing Element
as Program 3.A:
Residential Permit
Process Monitoring and
Improvements
This Policy was adopted on
November 16, 2010.
The Sixth-Cycle Housing Element
includes new programs under Goal
3: Reduce or Remove Government
Constraints on Housing. These
programs require the City to
regularly evaluate residential
permitting processes in context of
new State Law, solicit input from
developers, adopt Objective
III - 7
Program 9(a) cont. process or other similar action.
The City will also continue to monitor the design review process. The City has developed a brochure listing the objective criteria for all types and densities of residential development, to provide certainty in design requirements during the approval process. The brochure titled City Policy and Standards - Residential Development is available at the Community Development Department’s counter, and on-line on the City web page.
Residential Design Standards, and
to reduce the reliance on
discretionary permits for residential
mixed use and multi-family
development.
Program 10 –
ACCOMMODA-
TIONS FOR
FARMWORKERS,
SENIORS AND
PERSONS WITH
DISABILITIES
The City will allow reduced parking standards for senior, farmworker and/or housing for persons with disabilities. This can be accomplished by applying Section 12-
32.06 of the Santa Maria Municipal Code to develop an appropriate parking standard in individual cases. The City will facilitate permitted remodels of single- family residences and garage conversions. The City will allow expansion of residential space to the full extent allowable by standards of the zone or applicable specific plan.
In January 2007, the City Council updated the density bonus ordinance. The ordinance gives development concessions to individual additional units legally constructed and reserved for seniors or persons with low incomes. City staff will regularly review City policies and procedures to ensure that there are no constraints to housing for persons with disabilities. As part of this review, the City will follow a regular program of sidewalk repair and maintenance including provision of handicap ramps to fa cilitate movement throughout the City for persons with disabilities regardless of where they live. The City of Santa Maria’s funding priorities for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program supports the revitalization of existing neighborhoods. This funding priority focuses on revitalizing existing neighborhoods by increasing services such as supportive social services, and upgrading public infrastructure, such as street lighting, improved sidewalks, parks, and recreational public facilities. On December 18, 2007, the City adopted specific reasonable accommodation procedures to provide exception in zoning and land use for persons with disabilities. The City has responded to several requests under this Ordinance since its adoption.
Replace Program
Continued in the
programs of the Sixth-
Cycle Housing Element
under Goal 4: Address
Special Needs Housing
All referenced Municipal Code
sections remain in place, to facilitate
affordable housing opportunities for
private applications.
The Sixth-Cycle Housing Element
also includes programs with new
actions regarding Special Needs
populations under Goal 4.
During Fiscal Years 2021-22 and
2022-23, the Public Works
Department received CDBG funding
to upgrade existing pedestrian
facilities in low-to-moderate income
areas of Santa Maria with missing or
damaged sidewalk, ADA curb
ramps, curb and gutter that do not
meet current standards for
accessibility or safety.
Program 11 –
FACILITATION
OF PROJECTS
FOR HOMELESS
INDIVIDUALS
State law defines emergency shelters as “housing with minimal supportive services for homeless persons that is limited to occupancy of six months or less by a homeless person. No individual or household may be denied emergency shelter because of an inability to pay.” Government Code Sections 65583(a)(4) and 65583(a)(5) specify requirements for emergency shelters and transitional and supportive housing.
On May 7, 2012, the City adopted the Emergency Shelter Ordinance, establishing Santa Maria Municipal Code Chapter 12-53, Emergency Shelters, to support organizations that meet the housing and supportive service needs of the homeless and those at risk of ho melessness. The Emergency Shelter code establishes an emergency shelter project as a permitted use in the CPO (Commercial Office and Professional Office) and PF (Public Facilities) zoning districts. The code also allows Emergency Shelter Projects within t he C-1 (Central Business) and C -2 (General Commercial) zones of the City subject to the approval of a conditional use permit.
Ongoing
Continued in the
programs of the Sixth-
Cycle Housing Element
under Goal 4: Address
Special Needs Housing,
including Programs 4.B:
Supportive Housing for
Homeless Persons, 4.C:
Zoning for Low Barrier
Navigation Centers and
Emergency Shelters,
and 4.D: Zoning for
Transitional and
All referenced Municipal Code
sections remain in place, to facilitate
the development and operation of
emergency shelters, transitional
housing, and supportive housing.
The City continues to assist
homeless individuals by providing
CDBG funds to organizations like
the Good Samaritan’s Emergency
Homeless Shelter and the Freedom
warming center, Domestic Violence
Solutions’ Emergency Shelter. The
Salvation Army for its hot lunch
program, Catholic Charities for its
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Program 11 cont. Chapter 12 -53 includes definitions, development standards, and procedures relating to the approval of emergency shelter projects.
Additionally on May 7, 2012, definitions for Supportive Housing and Transitional Housing were added to Title 12 of the Municipal Code, establishing these housing types as a residential use, subject only to those restrictions that apply to other residential dwellings of the same type in the same zone.
Supportive Housing assistance with utility payments and food, and the Foodbank of Santa
Barbara County. The City also has a
successful working relationship with
the Continuum of Care (CoC).
Program 12 -
NEIGHBORHOOD
CONSERVATION
PROGRAM
This program, which was developed in 1990, assists the City's neediest neighborhoods through the use of existing improvement programs. Low -income neighborhoods--with a high incidence of criminal activity, serious public improvement deficiencies, significan t code violations, and generally deteriorating conditions--receive the efforts of this program. As citizens see the positive results of the program, more people will take a more active role in preserving their neighborhoods and become involved in activities that prevent neighborhood blight and foster community pride.
Ongoing
This program is modified
in the Sixth-Cycle
Housing Element with
objectives incorporated
into the programs listed
under Goal 2: Conserve
and Improve Existing
Housing Stock
The City maintains its proactive
support for neighborhood
conservation programs by using
CDBG funding to carry-on minor
home repair for low to moderate
income residents. This allows them
to continue living in their homes
safely and comfortably.
The City continues to have
“revitalize existing neighborhoods”
as one of its CDBG/HOME funding
priorities. Revitalizing existing
neighborhoods means increasing
services such as supportive social
services, and upgrading public
infrastructure, such as street
lighting, improved sidewalks, parks,
and recreational public facilities in
low to moderate income areas.
Program 12.b –
MINOR HOME
REPAIR
PROGRAM
This program, which began in 2013, is operated by Community Action Partnership of SLO County, Inc. (CAPSLO, Inc.) as a subrecipient to the City of Santa Maria.
The program targets elderly disabled and/or low and very low -income households in Santa Maria wi th the construction and installation of handicapped access improvements (ramps, wheelchair lifts, door widening), removal of architectural barriers, health and safety repairs, such as plumbing, electrical, exterior and interior carpentry (porches, decking, stairs, flooring) and building code violations. The City also provides grant funding to CommUnify (formerly Community Action Commission or CAC) for its Minor Home Repair Program. CommUnify delivers handy man services; installs interior grab bars and provi des some structural modifications.
These programs are funded primarily with CDBG funds.
Ongoing
This program is
modified in the Sixth-
Cycle Housing Element
with objectives
incorporated into the
programs listed under
Goal 2: Conserve and
Improve Existing
Housing Stock
The City continues to serve the
housing needs of special needs
groups through rehabilitation of
housing stock.
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Program 13 –
CODE
ENFORCEMENT
PROGRAM
Enforcing housing and building codes directly links to ensuring the safe and habitable condition of the housing stock, and thus the continued viability of neighborhoods. Code violations involving immediate health or safety hazards are handled without the need for a complaint. Alleged violations involving public welfare issues are pursued only after a complaint is received. Complaints will normally come directly from citizens, from officials on behalf of citizens, or from staff as a consequence of observations in the normal course of duties (e.g., inspections and permitting). When a violation is found, steps are taken to correct the problems.
Code Enforcement Division works with the property owners to assure each person living in the residence are afforded proper housing while the substandard conditions are being rectified. During the previous planning period, the Code Enforcement Division started a door-to-door program to inform and educate property owners and citizens about the provisions of the Municipal Code, and how application of Code standards can help citizens improve their residential neighborhoods. Information on other available assistance programs, such as the Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara County and California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. is also provided by the officers.
Ongoing
The program is modified
in the Sixth-Cycle
Housing Element and
found under Goal 2,
Conserve and Improve
Existing Housing Stock,
and specifically Program
2.B: Code Enforcement
Program
The City maintains its proactive
approach to resolution of health and
safety code violations through the
Code Enforcement Division with the
goal that all housing meets life,
health, and safety provisions.
Program 14 –
EFFICIENCY
UNIT
PROJECTS
On April 17, 2012, the City adopted the Efficiency Unit Projects Ordinance, adding Chapter 12- 52 to the Santa Maria Municipal Code. The Ordinance will facilitate both the new construction of efficiency dwelling unit projects and the structural conversion of transient occupancy uses into single-room occupancy projects.
Efficiency Unit projects may be established within the Central Business District zone (C-1) and the General Commercial District zone (C -2) through the issuance of a planned development (PD) permit. Each Efficiency Unit Project must provide a minimum 5 units, but there is no set minimum or maximum density per acre.
Chapter 12- 52 includes standards for minimum and maximum unit size, private storage areas, common interior and exterior areas, and requires that efficiency unit projects be consistently maintained in accordance with applicable standards, all with the goal of providing an overall superior living environment for the residents of the project.
The ordinance incorporates multiple provisions to incentivize the development of Efficiency Unit Projects, including the ability to re-use existing hotel sites that may currently be marginally viable, reduced parking requirements compared to other types of residential uses, and enabling dwelling units at no set maximum density, in two commercial districts that otherwise prohibit residential uses.
Complete/Remove
The goals and policies of
the program are codified
in the Municipal Code.
Therefore, the program
is no longer necessary,
and is not included in the
Sixth-Cycle Housing
Element.
The referenced Municipal Code
section remains in place to facilitate
the development and operation of
Efficiency Unit projects.
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Program 15 –
PROJECT-
BASED
TENANT
ASSISTANCE
PROGRAMS
Section 236 construction included the Union Plaza, owned and managed by the Teamsters Union, which is a seven-story structure with 122 one-bedroom apartments designed to accommodate low -income elderly persons. This project remains the only assisted housing project at risk. The Housing Authority of Santa Barbara County acquired the Central Plaza project, and will maintain the affordability of these units also done under the Section 236 Program.
The Housing Authority which consists of 112 garden style apartments for low - income families. The project includes a park with play areas. According to the Santa Barbara County Housing Authority, the Section 236 Program has specific targets for the housing needs of Extremely Low-Income Households.
Remove
As there is no direct
action for the City to
take, the City of Santa
Maria does not receive
a direct entitlement from
HUD. Therefore, this
program is not included
in the Sixth-Cycle
Housing Element.
The City maintains its support for
Section 236 Housing Assistance
Payments Program to Union Plaza,
administered by the Santa Barbara
County Housing Authority of Santa
Barbara County (HACSB),
particularly because many of those
units are targeted for Extremely
Low- Income Households.
Program 16 –
TENANT-
BASED
ASSISTANCE
PAYMENTS
PROGRAMS
Through the Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments Program, the Housing Authority provides rental subsidy payments directly to private property owners on behalf of eligible low -income tenants who cannot afford market rates without a subsidy. Families with certificates must rent approved units at fair market rents, and the subsidy represents the difference between 30 percent of the monthly income and the approved rent for an adequate housing unit. The program also includes a voucher option, which permits fami lies to rent units beyond the fair market rents; the family must pay any rent difference. This program, funded through HUD, seeks to encourage low-income persons to find housing units throughout the community rather than impacting any one particular area. The Housing Authority continues to apply for new funds to increase Section 8 assistance. The Housing Authority continually seeks input from residents and encourages their involvement in management activities. More project -based Section 8 housing units are needed, and the Housing Authority will continue to apply to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for funds to provide these additional units. According to the Santa Barbara County Housing Authority, the Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments Program has specific targets for the housing needs of Extremely Low - Income Households.
Ongoing
The City will continue to
participate in regional
housing efforts,
supporting the
development of housing
through varied
assistance methods,
and by continuing to
seek funding where
available. These
objectives are
expressed in programs
under Sixth-Cycle
Housing Element Goal
5: Promote Equal
Housing Opportunities
The City maintains its support for
Section 8 Housing Assistance
Payments Program, particularly for
those units which focus on
Extremely Low-Income Households.
This program is also administered
by the Housing Authority of Santa
Barbara County (HACSB)HOME
funding has been used in previous
years to support affordable housing
projects associated with the Housing
Authority. The City receives HOME
funding as part of its participation in
the Santa Barbara County HOME
Consortium. In addition, the City of
Santa Maria has provided TBRA
security deposit assistance to the
majority of the residents moving into
these HOME funded projects.
Program 16.b –
CITY OF
SANTA MARIA
TENANT
BASED
RENTAL
ASSISTANCE
(TBRA)
PROGRAM
The Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) Program provides security deposit assistance through a Qualified Referring Agency (QRA) to qualified low -income households. The assistance is provided in the form of a grant for up to 100 percent ($2,500 maximum) of the required security deposit to low-income families to assist with overcoming obstacles to obtaining housing. In order to access the program, participants must apply for assistance through a QRA. The following local non-profit agencies have been approved as QRA’s:
• Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara
• People’s Self Help Housing Corporation,
• Good Samaritan Shelter, and
• United Way Northern Santa Barbara County
Eligible participants are individuals whose income is at 60 percent or below the area median income by household size as determined by HUD. The program is funded with HOME and CDBG funds.
Ongoing
These objectives are
expressed in programs
under Sixth-Cycle
Housing Element Goal
5: Promote Equal
Housing Opportunities,
and specifically Program
5.B: Tenant-Based
Assistance
The City continues to support
methods to assist families in
overcoming housing obstacles,
including through rental assistance
based on availability of HOME
funding and the vacancy rates of
affordable units.
III - 11
Program 17 -
SUPPORTIVE
HOUSING FOR
HOMELESS
PERSONS
Domestic Violence Solutions for Santa Barbara County (DVS) owns and manages the City’s only domestic violence emergency shelter. Clients and their children can stay at the shelter for up to 45 days, or longer if needed. DVS provides non- residential case management to survivors out in the community to help survivors of Domestic Violence develop household management and parenting skil ls, increase their job skills and earning power, find stable employment, and gain independent living skills with the goal of se curing permanent housing. Good Samaritan Shelter (GSS) owns and manages several transitional housing facilities in Santa Maria.
GSS’s Transitional Center for Women & Children is a transitional housing program for perinatal women and their children who are enrolled in a substance abuse day treatment program. Clients can live in the facility and participate in the program for up to 18 months. The original facility consisted of an older single-family home converted to a group home housing eight clients. In 2006 six Single Room Occupancy (SRO) units, office and counseling space for on-site supportive services was added to the existing facility. Services offered include food, shelter, clothing, medical and dental screening, drug and alcohol detoxification and treatment, job training, job search assistance, part -time employment, mental health counseling and assistance, social services, after-school tutoring, parenting and budget training, perinatal care and direct assistance to children. This project serves homeles s, extremely low-income women who are in drug and/or alcohol recovery treatment and their children. The expansion of the facility was allowed through the City’s Mixed-Use Ordinance. GSS also operates the Family Transitional Shelter located on its main cam pus property. This facility that has individual rooms and provides transitional housing for homeless families for up to 90 days. Meals and on- site supportive services are provided. A case manager helps families develop a goal - oriented program that allows t hem to attain skills so that they can become self - sufficient and secure permanent housing.
GSS operates Casa de Familia, a 16-unit apartment complex also located on its main campus property. This complex allows low -income residents, who formally lived at the transitional center, to have a permanent, affordable place to live. GSS also manages a duplex and bungalow (four bedrooms and three bathrooms) both located at 614 South Pine Street, as well as a triplex 607 West Cook Street which operates as permanent rental housing for its former shelter residents. The two dwellings were obtained from the Ci ty under the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) and have an affordability covenant in place. All the aforementioned properties include case management services.
CDBG funds are allocated annually to public service agencies providing emergency shelter and support services to the homeless. Such services consist of counseling, case management, health care, and transportation. The Non-Profit Facilities Program is available to these agencies for capital development activities. Funding from the HOME Investment Partnerships Program also provides acquisition, rehabilitation, new construction, tenant -based assistance, homebuyer assistance, planning and support services aimed at developing and providing affordable housing for low- and moderate-income households which allows for more housing opportunities.
Ongoing
These objectives are
continued in the Sixth-
Cycle Housing Element
under Goal 4: Address
Special Needs Housing,
including Programs 4.B:
Supportive Housing for
Homeless Persons, 4.C:
Zoning for Low Barrier
Navigation Centers and
Emergency Shelters,
and 4.D: Zoning for
Transitional and
Supportive Housing
The City continues to allocate
CDBG, and HOME funded
resources to non-profit agencies
providing emergency shelter and
services.
III - 12
Program 18 –
FAIR HOUSING
PROGRAM
The City supports the local Fair Housing Council with a financial and philosophical commitment. The housing programs sponsored by the City promote housing opportunities for all persons within the community , especially low -income households. The Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara County, under contract with the City, conducts fair housing activities. These include the preparation of a fair housing assessment, educational presentations before community groups, testing of fair housing practices for rental housing, development of educational materials, operation of a special telephone call line, and direct legal representation of eligible clients in cases involving housing discrimination in the Santa Maria community. The City complies with the Federal Fair Housing requirements related to program resources, which are available in English and Spanish. The Special Projects Division administers the production and distribution of Fair Housing information throughout the City. Locations of the program distribution are maintained on the City web page. This program is targeted to all income levels, but recent experience has shown that Extremely Low -Income households particularly benefit from the City’s Fair Housing Program.
Ongoing
The Sixth-Cycle
Housing Element
incorporates these
objectives in the
programs found under
Goal 5: Promote Equal
Housing Opportunities,
and specifically in
Programs 5.D: Fair
Housing Program,
Program 5.E: Tenants
Rights Information,
Program 5.F:
Environmental Issue
Identification and Action,
and Program 5.G:
Environmental Justice
The City maintains its support for
Fair Housing Programs, including
through communication of local and
regional tenants’ rights resources via
outreach efforts.
Program 19 –
ENERGY
COMPLIANCE
AND
CONSERVATION
Energy conservation plays a vital role in providing decent, affordable housing. The City will solicit information from local utility providers about conservation programs, rebates, and low-income assistance programs through those companies.
The Building Division is tasked with enforcing the minimum standards found in the various model codes adopted by the State of California through the Building Standards Commission and as adopted and amended by our City Council. These code sections include:
• The 2013 California Energy Code (California Code of Regulations Title 24, Part 6) which sets energy efficiency standards for buildings and appliances; and
• The 2013 California Green Building Standards Code (California Code of Regulations Title 24, Part 11) which establishes requirements for energy conservation, water conservation, interior building environment air quality, recycling, waste management, low impact storm water drainage, dark sky provisions, high efficient vehicle and bicycle parking, etc.
CommUnify (formerly Community Action Commission of Santa Barbara County ) provides weatherization and energy conservation home improvements, such as the installation of insulation, window caulking, and water-conserving fixtures, to low and very low-income households, with preference given to seniors. Emergency grants are also available for the payment of utility bills. Santa Barbara County has “emPower”, a program to facilitate energy efficiency upgrades on single family homes. The program’s goal is to help homeowners and contractors overcome obstacles to implement home energy improvements, and to help meet statewide energy efficiency objectives. Single family homeowners will be able to take advantage of low cost unsecured loans and rebates to install energy efficient water heaters, furnaces, air conditioners, attic insulation, and to do repairs such as duct sealing or replacement.
Ongoing
These objectives are
continued in the Sixth-
Cycle Housing Element
under
Program 2.C:
Energy Compliance and
Conservation
The City maintains its active
compliance with Title 24 and
strongly endorses all relevant
energy conservation programs
sponsored by Santa Barbara County
and private utility companies.
S:\Community Development\Planning\DISCRETIONARY\Special Projects (SP)\2020\0001 - GPAR 2019\DRAFT2019 GP Annual RPT.docx
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Table E – Commercial Development Bonus Approved
Section 65915.7 of the Government Code allows commercial projects to request reductions in parking requirements, increased building height and/or increased floor area when that project contributes to the development of affordable housing in the jurisdiction.
The City did not receive any requests under Government Code Section 65915.7 during 2023; therefore, the completion of this table is not necessary.
Table F – Units Rehabilitated, Preserved and Acquired for Alternative Adequate Sites pursuant to Government Code section 65583.1(c)(2) Jurisdictions are asked to use this table to report units that have been substantially rehabilitated, converted from non- affordable to affordable by acquisition, and preserved consistent with the standards set forth in Government Code section 65583.1, subdivision (c)(2). The affordable housing work completed by the City in 2023 did not include any of these activities;
therefore, the completion of this table is not necessary.
Table F2 – Above Moderate Income Units Converted to Moderate Income Pursuant to Government Code section 65400.2
Jurisdictions are asked to use this table to report units in an existing multifamily building that were converted to deed- restricted rental housing for moderate-income households by the imposition of affordability covenants and restrictions for the unit. In 2023 the City did not receive any applications for conversion of existing units to deed-restricted units.
Table G – Locally Owned Lands Included in the Housing Element Sites Inventory that have been sold, leased, or otherwise disposed of, pursuant to Government Code section 65400.1
State Law requires local agencies to list sites owned by the locality that were included in the housing element sites inventory and were sold, leased, or otherwise disposed of during the reporting year. The City did not sell any land identified as a Housing Element available site in 2023;
therefore, the completion of this table is not necessary.
Table H – Locally Owned or Controlled Lands Declared Surplus Pursuant to Government Code section 54221, or identified as Excess Pursuant to Government Code section 50569
State Law requires local agencies to create an inventory of surplus lands it owns or controls. “Surplus land” means land owned by any local agency for which the local agency’s governing body takes formal action in a regular public meeting declaring that the land is surplus and is not necessary for the agency’s use. The City did not declare any property as surplus land in 2023.
Table J – Student housing development with a density bonus approved pursuant to Government Code section 65915 (b) (1) (F)
State law requires that student housing development that received a density bonus be reported in the APR. The City did not receive application for, or process any student housing development in 2023; therefore, the completion of this table is not necessary.
III - 14
Table K – Tenet Preference Policy Pursuant to Government Code section 7061 State law requires that local governments inform HCD about any local tenant preference ordinance the local government adopts or maintains, including the requirements the City create a webpage on their internet website containing authorizing local ordinance and supporting materials, no more than 90 days after the ordinance becomes operational. The City does not currently have a local tenant preference ordinance.
Local Early Action Planning (LEAP) Grant Reporting
Recipient Agencies of Local Early Action Planning (LEAP) grants shall annually report by April 1 of the year following receipt of those funds on the status of proposed uses in the application.
The City utilized LEAP grant funds for the General Plan Update and associated Environmental Impact Report, and the Sixth Cycle Housing Element Update.
III - 15
Summary Table:
Jurisdiction Santa Maria
Reporting Year 2023 (Jan. 1 - Dec. 31)
Housing Element Planning Period 6th Cycle 02/15/2023 - 02/15/2031
Building Permits Issued by Affordability Summary
Income Level Current Year
Very Low
Deed
Restricted 0
Non-Deed
Restricted 0
Low
Deed
Restricted 0
Non-Deed
Restricted 415
Moderate
Deed
Restricted 0
Non-Deed
Restricted 0
Above Moderate
39 Total Units 454
Note: Units serving extremely low-income households are included in the very low-income permitted units totals
Units by Structure Type Entitled Permitted Completed
Single-family Attached 0 0 0
Single-family Detached 282 28 4
2 to 4 units per structure 8 8 3
5+ units per structure 1750 0 0
Accessory Dwelling Unit 0 415 301
Mobile/Manufactured Home 0 3 0
Total 2040 454 308
Infill Housing Developments and Infill Units Permitted # of Projects Units Indicated as Infill 7 12
Not Indicated as Infill 0 0
Housing Applications Summary
Total Housing Applications Submitted: 10
Number of Proposed Units in All Applications Received: 1,339 Total Housing Units Approved: 1,339
Total Housing Units Disapproved: 0
III - 16
Summary Table cont.
Use of SB 35 Streamlining Provisions - Applications
Number of SB 35 Streamlining Applications 0
Number of SB 35 Streamlining Applications Approved 0
Units Constructed - SB 35 Streamlining Permits
Income Rental Ownership Total
Very Low 0 0 0
Low 0 0 0
Moderate 0 0 0
Above Moderate 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0
Streamlining Provisions Used - Permitted Units # of Projects Units SB 9 (2021) - Duplex in SF Zone 0 0
SB 9 (2021) - Residential Lot Split 0 0
AB 2011 (2022) 0 0
SB 6 (2022) 0 0
SB 35 (2017) 0 0
Ministerial and Discretionary Applications
# of
Applications Units
Ministerial 0 0
Discretionary 10 1339
Density Bonus Applications and Units Permitted
Number of Applications Submitted Requesting a Density Bonus 4 Number of Units in Applications Submitted Requesting a Density Bonus 912 Number of Projects Permitted with a Density Bonus 0
Number of Units in Projects Permitted with a Density Bonus 0
Housing Element Programs
Implemented and Sites Rezoned Count
Programs Implemented 30
Sites Rezoned to Accommodate the RHNA 0