California passes a flurry of new housing laws

California passes a flurry of new housing laws

The day after he signed AB 1482, Gov. Gavin Newsom kicked up his commitment to building housing in California by signing into law 17 bills dealing with everything from streamlining permitting processes to helping create more accessory dwelling units (ADUs), like mother-in-law units.

See also: New state law protects renters from some rent hikes, evictions

SB 330 by Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) establishes the Housing Crisis Act of 2019, which will accelerate housing production in California by streamlining permitting and approval processes. The Pioneer will continue our housing coverage next issue with a review of SB 330.

Here are some of the other new laws:

AB 1763 by Assemblyman David Chiu (D-San Francisco) gives100 percent affordable housing developments an enhanced density bonus.

AB 116 by Assemblyman Philip Ting (D-San Francisco) removes the requirement for Enhanced Infrastructure Financing Districts (EIFDs) to receive voter approval prior to issuing bonds.

AB 1485 by Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) will build on existing environmental streamlining law and encourage moderate-income housing production.

AB 1255 by Assemblyman Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) requires cities and counties to report to the state an inventory of its surplus lands in urbanized areas.

AB 1486 by Ting expands the Surplus Land Act, requiring local governments to include specified information relating to surplus lands in housing elements and annual progress reports and requires the state Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to establish a database of surplus lands.

SB 6 by Sen. Jim Beall (D-San Jose) requires the state to create a public inventory of local sites suitable for residential development, along with state surplus lands.

AB 1483 by Assemblyman Tim Grayson (D-Concord) requires local jurisdictions to publicly share information about zoning ordinances, development standards, fees, exactions and affordability requirements. The bill also requires HCD to develop and update a 10-year housing data strategy.

AB 68 by Ting makes major changes to facilitate the development of more ADUs and address barriers to building.

AB 881 by Assemblyman Richard Bloom (D-Santa Monica) clarifies that ADUs must receive streamlined approval if constructed in existing garages and eliminates local agencies’ ability to require owner occupancy for five years.

SB 13 by Sen. Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont) creates a tiered fee structure that charges ADUs more fairly based on their size and location. The bill also lowers the application approval timeframe.

AB 671 by Assemblywoman Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) requires local government housing plans to encourage affordable ADU rentals and requires the state to develop a list of state grants and financial incentives for affordable ADUs.

 

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