For years, California has been grappling with a pressing issue – a severe housing shortage that particularly impacts low- and moderate-income households who struggle to find affordable homes. To address this issue, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill No. 330, also known as the Housing Crisis Act of 2019, on October 9th, 2019. The legislation mandates that local agencies must impose a monetary penalty if they reject a housing development proposal that adheres to the relevant standards and criteria. Additionally, the act modifies various sections of the Government Code that pertain to housing. It is aimed at promoting the construction of affordable housing and ensuring that local agencies do not thwart such efforts.
The Housing Crisis Act of 2019 (California law SB-330) is a significant piece of legislation that aims to address the state’s housing crisis. The law, which went into effect on January 1, 2020, imposes new rules and regulations on local governments and developers in an effort to increase the production of affordable housing.
One of the most significant aspects of SB-330 is that it places a limit on the types of fees that local governments can charge developers for building new homes. Under the law, local governments are prohibited from imposing new fees or increasing existing fees that add to the cost of building new homes. This is expected to help reduce the costs of developments and make it easier for developers to build more affordable housing units.
Another important provision in SB-330 is the requirement that local governments must approve new housing developments within a specified period. Specifically, the law mandates that local governments must approve or deny new housing developments within 60 days of receiving a complete application. This is designed to prevent local governments from delaying or blocking new housing developments, which has been a common problem in many parts of the state of California.
Additionally, SB-330 requires local governments to provide a 10-year inventory of zoned land that is available for housing development. This is intended to help developers identify suitable locations for new housing projects and streamline the approval process. The law also prohibits local governments from reducing the density or intensity of housing projects that have already been approved.
The passing of California’s SB-330 law marks a significant milestone in tackling the housing crisis that the state is facing. The law’s provisions, such as the reduction of fees, the requirement for prompt approvals, and the clarification of available land, are poised to facilitate the construction of more affordable housing units and streamline the development process for builders. Despite the law’s actual impact still being uncertain, it signifies a hopeful path for California and its residents.
