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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Housing Element Update: 2026
Three Years In, Less Than 10% Complete: Marin Falls Further Behind Every 8 years, each California county, city and town must update its Housing Element to assure that it enables…
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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:
| Jurisdiction | RHNA (Housing units required) | Permitted (as of 12/31/2025) |
| Belvedere | 160 | 12 |
| Corte Madera | 725 | 34 |
| Fairfax | 490 | 31 |
| Larkspur | 979 | 101 |
| Marin County | 3,569 | 343 |
| Mill Valley | 865 | 69 |
| Novato | 2,090 | 141 |
| Ross | 111 | 27 |
| San Anselmo | 833 | 43 |
| San Rafael | 3,220 | 209 |
| Sausalito | 724 | 24 |
| Tiburon | 639 | 54 |
Housing Element News
- Marin IJ: Sausalito City Council discussing charter city options in response to state housing requirements
May 8, 2026Sausalito, Housing Element - City of Sausalito: Sausalito RFP open until May 31 for two housing element sites
Sausalito, Housing Element - Marin IJ: Marin could consider a regional Housing Element
April 15, 2026Marin County, Housing Element - Marin IJ: A recap on new state housing laws and Marin’s lackluster progress
March 30, 2026Marin County, Housing Element, Housing News, State Legislation, Written by MEHC - Marin IJ: Larkspur is behind on its housing goals
March 31, 2026Larkspur, Housing Element, MEHC Quoted - Marin IJ: Marin jurisdictions and County could create a subregion for future Housing Elements
April 4, 2026Marin County, Housing Element