Photo credit: Screenshot of CSJ Youtube channel, Manuel Salazar

On December 17th, the San José City Council took decisive action to address the city’s housing crisis by approving the Streamlined Infill Housing Ordinance. This policy is a significant step forward in accelerating housing production in San José and fulfills a key commitment in the City’s Housing Element.

The ordinance introduces a ministerial approval process for residential and mixed-use developments that meet specific criteria, such as a minimum density of 40 dwelling units per acre and proximity to major transit stops. By focusing on designated growth areas, the ordinance aligns with San José’s General Plan and provides an expedited pathway for eligible developments by exempting them from CEQA review and bypassing Planning Commission or City Council approvals.

The ordinance, as passed, incorporated recommendations from Mayor Matt Mahan and co-signing council members. These recommendations include:

• Enhanced Public Outreach: Updates to Council Policy 6-30 will include public informational meetings for ministerial approvals. In the interim, planning staff will collaborate with Council offices to implement outreach strategies.
• Future Expansion: In September 2025, the City will explore expanding the ordinance to the Airport Land Use Influence Area and Downtown Growth Area, along with waivers for certain design guidelines. By September 2026, further recommendations will aim to extend the process to additional growth areas outlined in the General Plan and Housing Element.

This phased approach highlights the City’s commitment to refining and broadening the ordinance, while simultaneously addressing community concerns. The policy is rooted in collaboration and reflects the combined efforts of city staff, local advocates, and community members. Considerable stakeholder engagement was held to ensure the ordinance balanced the urgency of housing production with the need for community input. SV@Home also played a key role in shaping the policy by providing recommendations on site eligibility, design standards, and developer incentives, helping to create an effective and equitable framework.

As a focused first step, the ordinance holds potential to expedite housing approvals. We commend the City Council, Planning Commission, and city staff for their work in advancing this initiative. Moving forward, SV@Home remains committed to supporting the evolution of this ordinance, advocating for its expansion to further sites, and ensuring it becomes a powerful tool in meeting San José’s housing needs.