Oceanside Inclusionary Housing

The Commission approved Oceanside's LCP amendment updating its inclusionary housing provisions, which increase the requirement to reserve housing for low and moderate-income households from 10% to 15% in multi-family residential developments. Commission staff recommended requiring inclusionary housing for projects with 7 or more units instead of 10 or more as the City initially submitted, explaining that a 7-unit residence represents the smallest project where one affordable unit corresponds to approximately 15% of total units. 

This 7-unit threshold is consistent with other San Diego County cities like Encinitas and ensures more opportunities for inclusionary housing than the City's original proposal. Oceanside accepted this modification along with six other technical improvements, including updated income range definitions to include acutely low-income households, a requirement that ADUs may satisfy inclusionary requirements for any residential development (not just single-family), and specification that affordable units must remain restricted for both rental and sale for at least 55 years.

This amendment demonstrates how Commission review strengthens local Coastal Zone affordability policies even when cities are moving in the right direction. While Oceanside deserves credit for increasing its inclusionary requirement to 15%, accepting the Commission's modification to apply the requirement at 7 units rather than 10 will generate more affordable housing in the coastal zone. The amendment applies citywide through Oceanside's Municipal Code, which was incorporated by reference into the certified LCP. 

Combined with a companion LCP amendment establishing maximum density in the Downtown District, these changes will encourage more affordable housing construction and better distribution of density. Coastal Act Section 30604(g) directs the Commission to encourage affordable housing for low and moderate income persons in the coastal zone, and this action ensures that inclusionary housing supports maximum public access to the shoreline for people of all income levels. The approved LCP amendment earned the Commission a pro-coast vote, and the Oceanside City Council deserves a shoutout too. ‍