[co-author: Isabella Hicks]

Housing developers with property in the City of San Diego’s beach communities can now apply for the city’s Complete Communities Housing Solutions program to increase density without a discretionary entitlement.

Complete Communities creates incentives for developers to build more housing near public transit to increase the total number of residential units in the city. The Complete Communities program has been available to non-coastal properties since 2020, and now applies to properties throughout the city following the California Coastal Commission’s recent approval of the program within the Coastal Overlay Zone.

In order to participate in the program, a project must:

• Be in a Transit Priority Area;
• Provide affordable units;
• Construct a promenade or pay into a fund for neighborhood amenities; and
• Meet requirements that help the city’s Climate Action Plan goals, among other requirements.

In exchange for meeting the requirements of the program, eligible projects in the Coastal Overlay Zone can obtain a floor-to-area ratio (FAR) of up to 2.5. Properties in other areas of the city can obtain a substantially higher FAR. In addition to an increase in FAR, the program allows up to five incentives and waivers of specific zoning regulations.

There are several other Complete Communities programs, including the Complete Communities Mobility Choices program. All of these programs work together to provide the community with accessible transportation, a healthier environment, and updated infrastructure. The ultimate goal of Complete Communities is to enhance the quality of life for all San Diegans.