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AB 87

Housing development: density bonuses.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tasha Boerner

AB 87 expands California's density bonus incentives to encourage developers to include more affordable housing by loosening zoning restrictions on qualifying projects.

Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 486, Statutes of 2025.
#housingdevelopment #densitybonuses
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Bill Summary · AB 87

Legislative bill overview

AB 87 modifies California's density bonus law, which incentivizes developers to include affordable housing by allowing them to build at higher densities and with reduced parking/setback requirements. The bill expands eligibility criteria and/or increases the incentives available to projects that meet affordable housing thresholds, making it easier for developers to offset the costs of including affordable units.

Why is this important

California faces a severe housing shortage and affordability crisis. Density bonus laws are a primary tool to encourage production of below-market-rate units without direct public subsidy. Expanding this mechanism could meaningfully increase affordable housing supply while reducing development friction in high-cost markets.

Potential points of contention

  • Neighborhood character concerns: Density bonuses enable taller/denser projects, which some communities view as incompatible with existing neighborhood aesthetics and infrastructure capacity
  • Affordability duration: The bill may not require long-term affordability covenants, risking temporary affordability followed by market-rate conversion
  • Developer profit vs. public benefit: Expanded incentives increase developer returns while the public benefit (affordable units) depends on project-specific terms, potentially favoring developer interests

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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