The City of Long Beach is updating the EDB to further encourage market-rate and affordable housing development. The ordinance update will incorporate feedback provided by community members, business owners and local developers and analyzation of density bonus policies in other jurisdictions. The effort will build upon the existing ordinance provisions through additional incentives and/or options to prompt additional housing in the City. This work effort is currently in the preliminary stages, and the project team is looking for input from the community. Below is an outline of the upcoming outreach events regarding this project.
Community Development
Enhanced Density Bonus Ordinance
The Enhanced Density Bonus (EDB) Ordinance facilitates the development of mixed income and multi-family housing by establishing regulations that offer a density bonus and development concessions in exchange for the provision of on-site affordable housing units.
The EDB can be utilized on properties anywhere in the City where five or more housing units can be built, based on the General Plan Land Use Element placetype and site size.
Get Involved
Past Events
Ordinance Update
Resources
Please see the resources below to learn more about the benefits of the EDB.
City Housing Goals
| Assess the effectiveness of the EDB program in creating affordable housing and revise the program as necessary and appropriate (6th Cycle Housing Element Action 2.1.3). | |
| Maximize density on sites viable for multifamily housing to align with the targeted density numbers (6th Cycle Housing Element Sites Inventory). | |
| Diversify housing opportunities (General Plan Land Use Element Goal). | |
| Accommodate additional affordable housing units (Inclusionary Housing Policy). | |
| Expand the number of rent-stabilized units (2018 Everyone Home Long Beach Report). |
Timeline
| Project Kick-Off: The team begins preliminary tasks and starts preparing for upcoming public outreach events. | |
| Public Outreach: Public outreach will include a variety of events and formats. Visit our website to find out more details about upcoming outreach events. |
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| Existing Conditions Review and Analysis: The project team analyzes the existing EDB Ordinance and looks at case studies and hypothetical models. | |
| Draft EDB Ordinance: The team writes the updated EDB Ordinance. | |
| California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Clearance: The project team will draft and process the appropriate documents for CEQA compliance. | |
| Public Hearings and Adoption: The updated EDB Ordinance will be brought before Planning Commission and City Council for adoption. |
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| Implementation: After its adoption, the use of the updated EDB Ordinance will be encouraged, and the Ordinance will be implemented as part of new development. |
Project Documents
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is this update happening now?
A: Affordable housing remains undersupplied in Long Beach, and the City has identified the need to further encourage developers to look for opportunities to build within the City. The City is also looking to accommodate California’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) numbers established in the Sixth Cycle Housing Element. The previous ordinance was set to sunset in 2029; however, this effort will consider extending the timeline.
Q: How does this apply to my property and neighborhood?
A: Density bonus policies are strategic approaches that direct housing development towards targeted areas where growth is planned to occur. The ordinance will only apply to properties or zoning districts that permit more than five units.
Q: Will this displace existing residents?
A: No, it will not displace existing residents. The current EDB includes special requirements designed to address equity concerns by protecting against displacement of current occupants while ensuring a net increase in the number of affordable dwelling units for every EDB project. The updated EDB will look to uphold these requirements.
Contact Us
Subscribe to receive updates and information on upcoming events at LBCD LinkLB.
- Login or create a LinkLB account.
- Under "Select Notifications" scroll down to "Community Development"
- Click "Initiatives & Programs"
For more information or questions, email DensityBonus@longbeach.gov.
