The Atlanta City Council adopted Ordinance 24-O-1581 on July 7, 2025, to amend the 1982 Atlanta Zoning Ordinance, specifically Part 16, Chapter 16-18P, which governs the SPI-16 Midtown Special Public Interest District. This amendment introduces a revised voluntary density bonus program aimed at addressing the city's housing affordability crisis, highlighted by over half of Atlanta renters being 'rent-burdened'. The goal is to facilitate the creation and preservation of 20,000 affordable housing units by 2030. The new provisions allow for increased residential Floor Area Ratio (FAR) bonuses for developments that provide affordable housing. Developers can achieve this by dedicating a minimum of 10% of bonus FAR units to households at or below 60% Area Median Income (AMI), or 15% of bonus FAR units to households at or below 80% AMI. An 'in-lieu fee' option is also available, where developers can pay a fee to a City trust fund to support off-site affordable housing creation and preservation within the Midtown Special Public Interest District. The ordinance also encourages the acceptance of Housing Choice Vouchers. Affordable housing requirements, whether on-site or via in-lieu fees, must be secured for a minimum of 30 years through deed restrictions or land use covenants. The ordinance also includes updated criteria for retail, buried parking, transit station area, public parking, reduced parking, green building, connectivity, and public park bonuses, along with regulations for facade materials, roofing, and utility locations.