CA AB1515

Amends the Housing Accountability Act to specify that housing development projects are deemed consistent with local plans and zoning if substantial evidence supports that conclusion, lowering the evidentiary threshold for consistency determinations.

Changes the evidentiary standard from "substantial evidence" to "preponderance of the evidence" for local agencies making findings to disapprove or conditionally approve affordable housing projects or emergency shelters.

Requires local agencies to provide written documentation within 30-60 days explaining why a housing project is inconsistent with local plans; failure to provide this documentation deems the project consistent, compliant, and in conformity.

Establishes minimum fines of $10,000 per housing unit when courts find violations, with fines deposited into local housing trust funds for affordable housing construction; multiplies fines by five if bad faith is found.

Clarifies that receiving a density bonus cannot be used as a basis to find a project inconsistent with local standards, and expands the definition of "lower density" to include any conditions with equivalent impact on housing provision.