Inclusionary Zoning Changes Near Final Approval in San Diego

The San Diego City Council is poised to give final approval to significant changes to the city's inclusionary zoning requirements,

1 minute read

August 5, 2019, 10:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


San Diego Construction

Robert Cravens / Shutterstock

"The San Diego City Council tentatively approved a controversial set of amendments to the city’s inclusionary housing regulations Tuesday in an effort to increase housing development for low- and moderate-income families," reports Lauren J. Mapp.

The change to the city's inclusionary zoning ordinance would "increase the portion of a development’s units that are kept affordable for people earning a certain percentage of San Diego County’s area median income," according to Mapp.

After the change goes into effect on July 1, 2020, developers would be required to "lease 10% of developments with 10 or more rental units at or below 50% of the county area median income for a family of four, $53,500, or 15% of units at or below 80% of the area median income for a family of four, $85,600."

A study by consulting group Keyser Marston Associates has been cited to make the case the increased inclusionary requirements would be financially feasible for developers, "due to its three-year phase-in and incentives for development like the elimination of the city’s development impact fee on affordable housing units that are built on-site."

A separate study by economists at Point Loma Nazarene University, however, raised warning flags about the consequences of the changes, predicting that the "ordinance would decrease housing units built annually by about 5% and increase home prices 2.5% and rents 3%."

Tuesday, July 30, 2019 in Times of San Diego

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of California High-Speed Rail station with bullet train.

California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself

The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.

May 19, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

"Units for sale - contact your local realtor" sign in front of homes.

‘Displaced By Design:’ Report Spotlights Gentrification in Black Neighborhoods

A new report finds that roughly 15 percent of U.S. neighborhoods have been impacted by housing cost increases and displacement.

5 hours ago - Next City

Turquoise blue Pyramid Lake near Reno, Nevada.

Nevada and Utah Groups Oppose Public Land Sell-Off Plan

A set of last-minute amendments to the budget reconciliation bill open up over half a million acres of federally managed land to sales.

6 hours ago - Inside Climate News

Alpine Recreation Center sign in park in Chinatown, Los Angeles, CA.

More Than a Park: A Safe Haven for Generations in LA’s Chinatown

Alpine Recreation Center serves as a vital cultural and community hub in Los Angeles' Chinatown, offering a safe, welcoming space for generations of Chinese American residents to gather, connect, and thrive amidst rapid urban change.

7 hours ago - American Community Media

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.