Housing Programs

The City of Larkspur is collaborating with the County of Marin and five jurisdictions in the County on a regional effort to implement or update inclusionary zoning and commercial linkage fees, which are tools to create affordable housing. The seven jurisdictions have retained Strategic Economics and Vernazza Wolfe Associates to study and offer recommendations for both these policies.

The studies under consideration include:

1.    Inclusionary Study. The Inclusionary Study draws on a thorough review of current inclusionary housing policies as well as best practices. The study provides detailed analysis quantifying the affordability gap to support updated in-lieu fee calculations. The recommendations include key policy considerations for affordable housing inclusionary requirements and an associated in-lieu fee that would apply to new multi-unit developments in Larkspur.

2.    Commercial Linkage Fee Study.  The Commercial Linkage Fee Study quantifies the increase in demand for affordable housing that accompanies jobs created by non-residential development. The study draws on analysis of the gap between what households can afford to pay for housing and the cost of developing new housing units. The resulting recommendation is an updated Commercial Linkage Fee that would apply to all new non-residential development in Larkspur.

Studies and documents may be viewed here.