Cities scramble to comply with or fight major state housing law
CalMatters • • nation
Key Points:
- California’s Senate Bill 79, effective July 1, allows developers to build mid-rise apartments near major transit stops, but local governments have flexibility in how and when to implement these changes.
- Cities like Los Angeles are using legal exemptions to delay full implementation until 2030 by increasing allowable density modestly in some neighborhoods to qualify for a temporary reprieve.
- San Francisco plans to adopt its own local densification plan before the deadline, while other cities such as Sacramento may simply comply with the state law without major changes.
- Some local officials and advocates express concern that delays could hinder housing development, though others see value in cities shaping their own plans within the law’s framework.
- Resistance to the law may emerge after the July 1 deadline, with some cities potentially opposing or delaying implementation despite state mandates.
