The City has a Density Bonus Ordinance similar to the State Density Bonus Law of the California Government Code. The State Density Bonus Law takes precedence when the City’s Density Bonus Ordinance is silent, or where the City Code lags behind changes in State Law.

This ordinance applies to proposed housing projects of five or more dwelling units. The density bonus amount depends on the percentage of housing units targeted for very low or low income families, ranging from 5% to 25%. Eligible projects are affordable housing, transitional housing, student housing, condominium conversions, transit-adjacent housing, and senior housing.

After the City and the developer reach consensus on terms and conditions, the City and the developer enter into a Density Bonus Agreement, which specifies number of affordable units, income levels, affordability period, and maximum rent or sale price.

• Density Bonus Ordinance (Orange Municipal Code Section 17.15).

Housing developers applying for a Density Bonus housing project must submit a Land Use Project Application.

For questions regarding the City’s Density Bonus Program, please contact Chad Ortlieb, Senior Planner.

The City offers one to three concessions and/or waivers as an incentive for housing projects that receive a Density Bonus. This includes reduction in development standards, such as setbacks, minimum unit square footage, parking standards, or landscape standards.

Any such waivers or reductions are required to meet the minimum building standards specified in the California Building Standards. Concessions and incentives must result in decreased development costs.

• Learn more about Development Incentives offered by the City

The City may defer impact fees to coincide with occupancy permits for affordable housing projects. This will help reduce the upfront project cost as well as residual payments made to the City after the housing construction is completed. Any developer seeking deferred impact fees must meet with the City and negotiate the terms through a Development Agreement.

The City receives federal HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development every year. HOME can be used for the construction or rehabilitation of affordable housing projects. In addition to federal funds, the City may have redevelopment set aside funds that could be allocated for affordable housing projects. If you would like to apply for HOME or redevelopment set-aside funding, please contact us at cdbg@cityoforange.org and include the following information:

1. Name of applicant, main contact person, email and phone number  

2. Proposed project: address, number of units

3. Amount needed: both HOME and redevelopment set-aside are gap financing and used to close the funding gap to move a project forward

The Orange County Housing Authority operates the Section 8 program for the City of Orange. To learn more about the program, visit the OC Housing Authority website.

Visit the OC Housing Authority website to view a list of affordable housing rentals in Orange County or view a list of affordable housing developments accepting applications.

The Fair Housing Foundation provides services to address fair housing issues between tenants and landlords as well as tenant and landlord training workshops to low-income tenants.