Planning and zoning: housing development: streamlined approval and subdivisions.
What changed between versions
A geographic exemption removes the streamlined 10-unit subdivision approval (Section 65852.28) for projects in ZIP Codes 91001 and 91003 for applications submitted on or after October 1, 2026, effectively carving out a specific Inland Empire area from the bill's housing streamlining provisions.
The density preclusion standard is expanded: local agencies may not impose standards that physically preclude development with at least as many units as the maximum number of parcels that may be subdivided on the lot, in addition to the existing standard tied to Section 65583.2 densities.
Applications submitted before October 1, 2026 in the exempted ZIP Codes are grandfathered: applicants have 180 days to submit a complete development application and an additional 90 days to respond to completeness notices, after which the application expires.
A separate exemption preserves streamlined approval for 100% affordable housing projects (all units at affordable cost or rent) developed by community land trusts, qualified nonprofit corporations, or nonprofit housing sponsors with deed restrictions of at least 55 years for rental and 45 years for owner-occupied units.
The section containing the geographic exemption includes a sunset provision: it remains in effect only until January 1, 2030, after which it is repealed.
New setback restrictions limit front setbacks from the original lot line to no more than 10 feet and restrict internal setbacks between newly created parcels, except as required by the California Building Standards Code.
A new interpretive directive requires that Section 65852.28 be interpreted liberally in favor of producing the maximum number of total housing units.
A new floor area ratio (FAR) floor is added: local agencies may not impose a FAR standard less than 1.25 for projects of any size under this section, supplementing the existing tiered FAR minimums (1.0 for 3-7 units, 1.25 for 8-10 units).
Height limits are clarified to apply exclusively to the physical height of a building and shall not restrict the number of floors, preventing local agencies from using height rules to cap unit counts indirectly.