County Removes Barriers to Housing Production
May 24, 2023: Source Donna Durckel
Today was a productive day for housing in the County’s unincorporated area as the San Diego County Board of Supervisors adopted 22 promising actions designed to ultimately help renters and home buyers affected by our region’s housing crisis.
The changes approved today are designed to deliver different types of housing faster and easier. They reduce and guarantee review times for housing plans and permits, encourage innovation and technology, provide extra customer support and include financial incentives. The Board committed $14.5M in funding to carry out these efforts.
The actions will help builders save time and provide certainty in the development process – both identified as highly valuable for both market-rate developments as well as affordable housing projects. Others involve information technology changes that aid project tracking, transparency, and increased communication, as well as customer education, guidance tools, and support.
There also will be extra professionals to make sure applications are complete and correct when submitted to save time going back and forth on corrections. In addition, projects needing septic tank approvals will have dedicated assistance to conduct safety reviews more efficiently.
The County will also be offering pre-approved plans for single family homes and accept tiny homes on wheels as an approved housing option.
The recommendations were generated by a multi-department County working group and shaped by stakeholder input. The working group included Planning & Development Services, Public Works, Environmental Health & Quality, County Counsel, County Fire, Housing & Community Development Services, Purchasing & Contracting, General Services, and the Office of Economic Development and Government Affairs.
San Diego Housing Blueprint
Today’s actions and other endeavors are part of the County’s ongoing response to the region’s housing affordability crisis. Efforts also are underway at the County to create a roadmap, or Housing Blueprint, to guide our ongoing response. Community input remains vital to the County’s efforts to address the crisis to date. People are encouraged to review the Housing Blueprint to help inform final recommendations for its goals and objectives before it is presented later this year to the Board of Supervisors. In recognition of efforts to date, the County has received a Prohousing designation from the State. This is awarded to cities and counties that implement zoning and land use policies that favor development, accelerate housing production timeframes, reduce housing and production costs, and provide financial subsidies.
Here Is A Snapshot Of All Adopted Actions Today
Actions Achievable Within 12 Months
- Guaranteed Timelines for 100% Affordable Housing & Shelters, VMT Efficient and Infill Areas and Workforce Housing
- Prioritization of Contracts to Support Housing
- Process Improvements
- Environmental Health & Quality Temporary Contracting Authority
- Over-the-Counter Reviews for Previously Approved Home Designs
- Permit Specialists to Assist Applicants
- Tools & Guidance for Applicants
- Housing Legislation Outreach, Promotion, & Implementation
- Development Feasibility Analysis Liaisons (Economic Development)
- Expedite Implementation of the Housing Element
- Grading Ordinance Update
- Flexibility for Infrastructure Requirements (additional community engagement)
Actions Achievable Within 1 to 3 Years:
- Tiny Homes on Wheels
- Prepare Pre-Approved Home Plans
- Information Technology Upgrades – Phase II
Board Of Supervisors Land Use
OPTIONS FOR REMOVING BARRIERS TO HOUSING AND FACILITATING THE COUNTY’S STATUS AS A PROHOUSING JURISDICTION AND EXEMPTION TO THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Relaxed Rules, Quicker Reviews And Tiny homes: New Suite Of County Measures Will Fast-Track Home-Building In Unincorporated Areas
Under the new rules, tiny homes on wheels — small, movable houses typically 500 square feet or less — will be counted as accessory dwelling units. County regulations already allow tiny homes on permanent foundations, and the new policy adds mobile versions to housing stock for unincorporated areas.
Tiny House Alliance USA Editor
May 27, 2023
The Future Of Tiny Is Now!
Janet Thome Founder And President
janet@tinyhouseallianceusa.org
509 345 2013
This is a wonderful breakdown of what’s to come. Thank you for this publication!
My pleasure!