Skip to main content

User menu

  • Home
  • Post a Job
  • Register

Site Network

  • County News
  • School News
Home
  • News
    • Campaigns and Elections
    • Pension Reform
    • Comings and Goings
  • Local Policy Issues
    • Housing and Land Use
    • Infrastructure
    • Green
    • Health Care
    • Public Safety
    • Transportation
    • Transparency
    • Cybersecurity
    • admin
  • Jobs Board
  • Contact

Now Hiring?

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. California Says Goodbye to Single-Family Zoning

California Says Goodbye to Single-Family Zoning

By Brittany M. on
  • facebook-f
  • twitter
  • envelope
  • print
14272

Two days after his titanic victory in the September 14 recall election, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed historic legislation that essentially eliminates single-family zoning across the state of California.

SB9 (Atkins) will allow up to four dwellings (as many as two duplexes or two houses with attached units) to be built on almost any lot currently zoned for a single-family residence. The bill only allows cities to veto such development when there is a threat to health and safety. Historic districts and fire hazard zones are excluded. The bill also contains a provision requiring the developer to live on site for at least three years to curtail speculative buying.

Advocates of the bill say it will reduce sky-high housing prices in the state by increasing supply. Some point to the racist history behind so-called “exclusionary zoning” as well.

Over 200 cities were opposed to the bill, which critics note includes no price caps or other assurances of affordability. Instead, they argue it will destroy the character of single-family neighborhoods, drive down property values and/or and speed up gentrification in some Black and Latino areas.

SB9 “undermines the ability of local governments to responsibly plan for the types of housing that communities need, circumvents the local government review process, and silences community voices,” said League of California Cities Executive Director Carolyn Coleman, as quoted by CalMatters.

“Even worse, there are no provisions in SB9 that require new housing to be affordable, continuing the cycle of the construction of new units that are out of reach for a mini working-class families.”

There are very real concerns about the capacity of local infrastructure as well. More dwellings mean increased water and sewer use, trash collection, and parking woes. That’s according to 120 mayors and city council members from 48 cities who have complained about the bill’s usurpation of local control.

These dueling arguments will soon be thrust before voters. A group called Californians for Community Planning Initiative has filed a proposed constitutional amendment for the November 2022 ballot to restore local governments’ zoning and land-use powers.

Affordable housing advocates are willing to fight for what they believe was a necessary change in the status quo. As the governor said last week, “the housing affordability crisis is undermining the California Dream for families across the state, and threatens our long-term growth and prosperity.”

In addition to SB9, the governor has signed SB8 (Skinner) and SB10 (Wiener). SB8 extends the Housing Crisis Act of 2019 through 2030. That law accelerates the approval process for home-building and limits local governments’ ability to downzone. SB10 will make it easier for cities to approve small apartment complexes of up to 10 units in single-family neighborhoods near transit or in urban infill areas.

Want to learn more about these historic housing laws? Visit the links below.

California ends most single-family zoning

Study: California’s ‘upzoning’ bill won’t spur massive redevelopment

California’s housing crisis: How much difference will a new zoning law make?

What California’s new SB9 housing law means for single family zoning in your neighborhood

Newsom backs denser zoning for single-family neighborhoods

Tags
Featured
news
SB 8
SB 9
SB 10
Gavin Newsom
housing
zoning
single family zoning
affordable housing
land use
local control
Section
Laws & Legislation
Brittany M.
Published 2 years ago
Last updated 2 years ago
14272
  • facebook-f
  • twitter
  • envelope
  • print
Sign Up for Our Awesome Newsletter

 

City Jobs

  • Chief Labor Relations Officer
    City of Long Beach
  • Principal Engineer
    Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA)
  • City Manager
    City of Compton
  • SUPERVISING HUMAN RESOURCES ANALYST / WORKFORCE PLANNING
    City of Stockton
  • Management Analyst (Public Works Department)
    City of Santa Paula
  • Finance Director
    Tuolumne Utilities District
  • Management Analyst (Community Development Department)
    City of Santa Paula
  • Utilities Director
    City of Gilroy
  • Building Official
    City of El Cerrito, CA
  • Police Chief
    City of Cotati, CA

Campaigns & Elections

Santa Ana Considers Allowing Noncitizens to Vote
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
Undocumented immigrants could be able to vote in Santa Ana municipal elections under a policy being…
Rancho Cordova to Adopt New Map for District Elections
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
The Rancho Cordova City Council will take a major step next week toward finalizing a district-based…
Oakland Sees Another Election Mix-Up Involving Candidates for School Board
Thursday, August 24, 2023
A city error that almost disqualified the only two candidates from Oakland Unified’s District 5…
Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln Running for Congress
Thursday, July 20, 2023
In 2020, Stockton experienced a huge political upset when the Republican pastor of a local church,…
Former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer Launches Bid to Unseat Terra Lawson-Remer
Tuesday, July 18, 2023
Former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer has announced his candidacy for the county’s Third District…

Comings & Goings

Merced Hires New City Manager
Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Merced has selected a City Hall insider to serve as its next city manager. Scott McBride will take…
Santa Monica City Clerk to Retire
Monday, September 25, 2023
Santa Monica City Clerk Denise Anderson-Warren will retire at the end of the year, concluding 29…
Santa Barbara County Sees More City Manager Retirements
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
At least two administrators from the Santa Barbara County area will vacate their positions this…
Laguna Beach Hires Interim City Manager
Thursday, September 7, 2023
Retired Irvine city manager Sean Joyce will take over as the interim city manager of Laguna Beach…
Manteca Hires New Director of Finance
Tuesday, September 5, 2023
The City of Manteca has hired a new finance director. Shay Narayan, who currently serves as budget…
Clear keys input element