Housing Element
2023-2031 Housing Element - Current Status
On March 20, 2023, the City Council adopted the 2023-2031Housing Element. The final Housing Element was certified by California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) on May 18, 2023.
The Housing Element is Petaluma’s plan to facilitate needed housing and increase housing equity over the next eight years (2023 - 2031). Learn more about Housing Elements at this Housing Element FAQ.
Housing Element Process
March 2023 Draft to Final Housing Element
On March 20, 2023, the City Council adopted the 2023-2031Housing Element:
On March 22, 2023 the approved Housing Element was sent to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for certification. HCD had additional questions which were reviewed by the City Attorney. On May 11, 2023 the City provided a response to HCD noting that HCD’s requested changes were not substantive and responded to the comments.
HCD Questions on Housing Element
Adopted Non-Substantive Revisions (edited pages only)
The Housing Element is Petaluma’s plan to facilitate needed housing and increase housing equity over the next eight years (2023 - 2031). Learn more about Housing Elements at this Housing Element FAQ.
August 2022 Draft Housing Element
In August 2022, the City published the draft Housing Element for public Review.
GPAC Housing Working Group Policy Recommendations
Public Comment- Stephanie Stone
Public Comment-Napa Sonoma ADU Center
Public Comment- Generation Housing, Transform
Public Comment- YIMBY LAW, Greenbelt Alliance
October 2022: Initial Draft to HCD
The initial Draft Housing Element submitted to HCD in October 2022 can be accessed and reviewed through the following 7 documents described below:
Housing Element: Introduction, Goals, Policies, and Programs
Appendix A Housing Needs Assessment: Examination of demographic, employment, and housing trends and conditions that affect the housing needs of the community
Appendix B Constraints Analysis: Analysis of and recommended remedies for existing and potential governmental and nongovernmental barriers to housing development
Appendix C Resources and Opportunities (Sites Inventory): Identification of locations of available sites for housing development or redevelopment to ensure that there is adequate capacity to address the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA)
Appendix D Review of Past Accomplishments: Review of the prior Housing Element to measure progress in implementing policies and programs
Appendix E Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Assessment: Summary of fair housing issues and an assessment of fair housing enforcement and outreach capacity
Appendix F Public Participation: Summary of public participation throughout the development of the Housing Element
January 2023: Clarifications to HCD
In response to a request for clarifying information from HCD, the City has redlined some of the pages of the documents listed at right. The City expects the HCD will issue a formal comment letter on January 27, 2023.
The full Housing Element, with edits to reflect responses to HCD, is available here:
January 2023 Housing Element With Edits
January 2023: State response to draft housing element
The City received a formal comment letter on our Housing Element on January 27.
February-March 2023: Revised housing element
Following receipt of HCD’s comment letter, the City began convening multiple public meetings to review the comments and review updated plan material. Those meetings have been scheduled as below:
Planning Commission: February 14 (review comments)
General Plan Advisory Committee: February 16 (review comments)
City Council: February 27 (review comments)
Planning Commission: March 14 (recommendation for City Council )
City Council: March 20 (Council Action)
March 2023 Housing Element Draft in response to HCD’s comments (With edits highlighted)
March 2023 Housing Element Draft (No edits highlighted)
CEQA: Addendum for the 2015-2023 Housing Element Negative Declaration (SCH #2014102018)
Housing Element 2023-2031 Notice of Determination
2023-2031 Housing Element
On March 20, 2023, the City Council adopted the 2023-2031Housing Element and submitted it to the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development for Certification.
The Housing Element is Petaluma’s plan to facilitate needed housing and increase housing equity over the next eight years (2023 - 2031). Learn more about Housing Elements at this Housing Element FAQ.
Click on the Draft Housing Element Sites Inventory Map to access the Housing Sites Inventory Map and Table.
the Community Conversations
Between late August and early October, the Planning Team shared background information on the Housing Element, reviewed the development for creating the Public Draft, and received feedback from the community in various forums including a community workshop on September 20, 2022. Recordings of the following three meetings are available at the City Meetings Website: Link.
Tuesday 9/13 7:00 PM: Planning Commission Workshop on Public Draft of the Housing Element
Thursday, 9/15 6:30 PM: General Plan Advisory Committee Session on the Public Draft of the Housing Element
Monday, 10/3 6:00 PM: City Council Workshop on Public Draft of the Housing Element
Thank you to everyone who joined us and shared your perspectives!
