Affordable Housing Production Policies Initiative (AHP Policies)

What is Ministerial Approval?

Ministerial Approval is the process of reviewing new housing and mixed-use developments that meet existing standards. If a proposed project follows the rules and meets applicable requirements, the review and approval process is completed by Planning Department staff. Developments under ministerial approval are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), which eliminates the costs and time for environmental review. Ministerial Approval is not available for projects that require subjective judgement of a public official or community advisory body.

The AHP would expand the County's existing ministerial approval policies to promote the development of new affordable housing and comply with MTC's TOC policy. With this expansion, residential and mixed-use developments with 11 or more units and where a minimum level of affordability is provided would be eligible for Ministerial Approval. The exact amount of affordable housing will be determined through future discussions and adoption of a policy by elected decision makers.