Housing development projects: objective standards: campus development zone.

Assembly Member Fong's legislation expands California's streamlined housing approval process to include development projects within campus zones, aiming to address the state's student housing shortage. The bill modifies the Affordable Housing and High Road Jobs Act to create a new "campus development zone" designation encompassing areas within a half-mile radius of University of California, California State University, and community college main campuses.

The measure establishes specific affordability requirements for campus zone developments. Rental projects must dedicate either 13% of units to extremely low and very low-income households, or 15% to lower-income households, students, or faculty/staff. For owner-occupied housing, developments must offer either 30% of units at moderate-income levels or 15% at lower-income levels. These affordability commitments extend for 55 years for rentals and 45 years for ownership units.

Local governments must limit their project reviews to the specific area described in development applications, excluding adjacent properties under the same ownership unless explicitly included. The bill maintains existing density and height allowances while modifying setback requirements to apply only to above-ground parking. Projects meeting the criteria receive ministerial approval, exempting them from discretionary review under the California Environmental Quality Act. The Department of Housing and Community Development must evaluate outcomes of campus zone developments in a mandated January 2031 report.