AUD Multi-unit Housing Program BackgroundPlanning Central

Average Unit-size Density Incentive Multi-unit Housing Program Background

On July 30, 2013, the City Council approved the Program Ordinance. This Program facilitates the creation of multi-unit housing and carries out a key implementation action of the City’s 2011 General Plan. The intent of the Program is to support the construction of smaller, more affordable residential units near transit and within easy walking and biking distance to commercial services and activity centers. Increased densities and development standard incentives are allowed in most multi-family and commercial zones of the City to promote additional housing. Rental, employer-sponsored, and limited equity housing cooperative units that provide housing opportunities to the City’s workforce are especially encouraged.

The Program has a duration of eight years, until August 31, 2021. Any application for new units that is deemed complete prior to the expiration of the Program may continue to be processed under the Program.

In 2017 the City Council directed staff to initiate certain ordinance amendments to Title 30 of the Santa Barbara Municipal Code regarding the Program. In 2019 the Program was evaluated and based on, staff recommendations,  public input, and Planning Commission recommendations amendments to the program are being processed. During the City Council discussion on the COVID-19 Update on April 21, 2020, Councilmembers expressed interest in prioritizing a subset of previously identified ordinance amendments to better facilitate economic recovery and construction of new housing developments in the downtown. On August 4, 2020, City Council adopted amendments for the downtown, listed here. A summary of the final amendments to the AUD Program, to be completed by 2021, can be found here. 

As of May 29, 2020, the following residential units are pending, or have been approved or constructed under the  Program.

¹Includes all pending projects that have an application with the Planning Division. Some projects may not have been deemed complete.
²Projects that have received a Certificate of Occupancy or Temporary Certificate of Occupancy.
³Units located in the Medium-High Density Area are shown for informational purposes only.

Multi-unit Housing Program Projects as of May 29, 2020

Click the double arrow on the upper left part of the map to view the legend.

Please click the links below to view the Program Cases by update status date.

Program Cases - May 29 2020 - *NEW*

Program Cases - May 29 2020 excel file - *NEW*

Related documents to view:

AUD Program Ordinance
AUD Program Map
AUD Program Calculator
AUD Program Common Questions

New AUD Program 2020 Ordinance (effective September 3, 2020)

Other Information:

AUD Program Ordinance Amendments

Guidelines:

Design Guidelines for Projects

Design Review:

Supplemental Submittal Materials to assist in the presentation of proposed project