TRUCKEE, Calif. – On Tuesday, the Truckee Town Council reviewed draft goals, policies, and programs for the town’s 2027–2035 Housing Element, a state-mandated plan that will guide local housing decisions over the next decade.

Town staff are working on an accelerated timeline to meet California’s May 15, 2027 adoption deadline, with plans to submit a first draft to the state by July 2026. The Housing Element is a required component of the General Plan and serves as the primary policy framework shaping how Truckee will address housing needs across all income levels.

A Roadmap for Future Housing

The draft Housing Element currently outlines six primary goals:

• Goal H-1: Housing Production — Ensure an adequate supply of housing sites to meet the needs of all segments of the community.
• Goal H-2: Affordable and Deed-Restricted Housing — Expand access to housing affordable to all income levels.
• Goal H-3: Housing for Special Needs Groups — Support housing opportunities for residents with specific needs, including seniors, people with disabilities, large households, and those experiencing homelessness.
• Goal H-4: Conserve Existing Housing — Maintain and improve the quality of existing housing and neighborhoods.
• Goal H-5: Energy Conservation and Sustainable Development — Balance housing development with environmental impacts and infrastructure needs.
• Goal H-6: Equal Housing Opportunity — Promote fair and equitable access to housing for all residents.

Each goal is supported by a series of policies and programs that outline how the town intends to achieve these objectives.

For example, Goal H-1 includes policies aimed at expanding housing opportunities through tools like accessory dwelling units (ADUs). One such policy encourages the continued expansion of ADUs throughout Truckee.

Supporting this policy is Program H-1.C, which focuses on promoting ADU development through a range of actions, including:

• Providing up-to-date ADU resources on the Town’s website, such as FAQs, workshops, and pre-approved plans
• Offering direct assistance through an ADU support team to guide residents through permitting and funding opportunities
• Analyzing the feasibility of allowing separate sales of ADUs and primary residences, including impacts on infrastructure, neighborhood compatibility, and long-term affordability
• Continuing to revise local ADU regulations to reduce barriers and remain consistent with evolving state law

The program is overseen by the Community Development Department and includes goals such as facilitating the development of 75 ADUs during the planning period, along with hosting educational workshops.

Timeline and Next Steps

The Housing Element update process began in September 2025 and has included multiple public meetings, workshops, and technical analyses. The final document must be certified by the State of California. Failure to adopt a compliant Housing Element by the 2027 deadline could put grant funding at risk and reduce the town’s control over local land use decisions.

Staff noted that additional policies — particularly those related to affirmatively furthering fair housing — may be added as the document continues to evolve.

Councilmembers recommeneded exploring additional strategies, including rezoning mobile home parks, increasing minimum density requirements, strengthening rent stability measures, and incorporating home hardening efforts.

Following Tuesday’s discussion, staff will revise the draft to include Town Council feedback and submit it for further review by Ascent Environmental, the town’s consultant on the project. A full public review draft is expected to be released in the coming months, with additional opportunities for both the Town Council and Planning Commission to review the document before final adoption in May 2027.