Policy: Housing Element
The Housing Element is a state mandated component of every local governments’ general plan, that must be updated every 8 years. We are currently in the 6th cycle of housing element updates. Every local government in the San Francisco Bay Area was required by update their Housing Element by January 31, 2023. The Housing Element requires each jurisdiction to plan for a state-determined number of housing units (called the Regional Housing Needs Allocation or the RHNA). HCD, a state level agency, must certify that the Housing Element meets state law.
Historically, there were few consequences for jurisdictions out of compliance with Housing Element law. That has changed due to the current housing crisis. Jurisdictions out of compliance may be subject to a number consequences, including being subject to the “Builder’s Remedy” (a law that removes jurisdictions abilities to deny some development proposals) and streamlined approval processes under SB 423.
Learn About Housing Elements
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Letter to Marin County Planning Commission regarding 2025 Housing Element Annual Progress Report (APR)
On March 2, 2026 the County Planning Commissioners reviewed the 2025 APR. You can view the APR data in the staff report. We sent the following letter on March 2,…
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June 2025: Mid-Year Housing Progress Update
MANY PROJECTS IN THE PIPELINE…Still a long way to go Halfway through the year, Marin has a large increase in the number of housing units in process, but we’re still very…
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Amended Housing Element certification letter for Sausalito
On May 22, 2025 HCD sent a letter to Sausalito certifying their amended Housing Element. You can read the letter below:
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Marin Housing Elements Annual Progress Report Update
We are woefully behind on progress toward our housing goals Marin’s sixth 8-year Housing Element Cycle officially kicked off January 31, 2024. Every April, the county and each local city…
| Jurisdiction | RHNA (Housing units required) | HCD Status |
| Belvedere | 160 | Out of compliance* |
| Corte Madera | 725 | Certified |
| Fairfax | 490 | Certified |
| Larkspur | 979 | Certified |
| Marin County | 3,569 | Certified |
| Mill Valley | 865 | Certified |
| Novato | 2,090 | Certified |
| Ross | 111 | Certified |
| San Anselmo | 833 | Certified |
| San Rafael | 3,220 | Certified |
| Sausalito | 724 | Certified |
| Tiburon | 639 | Certified |
*The Belvedere Housing Element was approved July 16, 2025. It will not be in compliance until the required rezoning is completed. Belvedere has stated it plans to complete it by year end 2025.
Housing Element News
- Marin IJ: Tiburon has fulfilled just 8.45% of its state housing requirements
March 2, 2026Tiburon, Housing Element - The Ark: Tiburon has only permitted 8.5% of its required RHNA units
February 24, 2026Tiburon, Housing Element - The Ark: Belvedere re-submitted updated Housing Element on February 10
February 18, 2026Belvedere, Housing Element - The Ark: Judge rules that Paradise Drive will remain a housing element site
February 5, 2026Tiburon, Housing Element - SF Chronicle: Result of Sausalito voters approving Measures J and K will result in more housing
November 12, 2025Sausalito, Housing Element, Housing News - Marin IJ: Sausalito voters pass two housing measures J and K
November 4, 2025Sausalito, Housing Element, Housing News, Policy