A law ending single-family-home-only zoning in California was ruled unconstitutional by a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge.
The decision could lead to the law being invalidated in the state’s largest cities. The case stemmed from a lawsuit by five Southern California cities—Redondo Beach, Carson, Torrance, Whittier, and Del Mar —that contested SB 9. If the judge’s ruling is appealed and upheld, it would impact 121 “charter cities” including Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco.
The judge’s decision cited the law’s failure to mandate that any units constructed under SB 9 had to be set aside for low-income residents despite its stated intent for increasing access to “affordable housing,” a term that refers explicitly to housing restricted for low-income residents.
California lawmakers may rewrite the law to include a low-income housing mandate. To date, SB 9 has not led to significantly more housing construction, especially compared to a series of laws that have led to a notable increase in new ADUs.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Dec 15, 2021
Design problems now the primary cause of construction claims and disputes
More likely to occur due to more tight timescales imposed upon third parties engaged in design.
Codes and Standards | Dec 13, 2021
ABC releases guide to technology for improving safety performance
Provides details on how to identify, choose, and implement technology.
Codes and Standards | Dec 8, 2021
Construction industry is the top target for cyberattacks
Smart building tech is a new avenue for criminals.
Codes and Standards | Dec 8, 2021
Proposals to add more multifamily to Atlanta prompt drive for Buckhead to secede
City aims to increase housing as projections point to sharp population increase.
Codes and Standards | Dec 7, 2021
Design problems now the primary cause of construction claims and disputes
More likely to occur due to more tight timescales imposed upon third parties engaged in design.
Codes and Standards | Dec 5, 2021
New standard for Phase I environmental reports requires more research work on many sites
Update affects around 250,000 commercial real estate transactions a year.
Codes and Standards | Nov 30, 2021
Dept. of Energy publishes RFP for technical assistance on supporting better building codes
Addresses advanced standards to reduce energy consumption and GHG emissions.
Codes and Standards | Nov 29, 2021
Ithaca, N.Y., votes to electrify, decarbonize all its buildings
First initiative of its kind in U.S.
Codes and Standards | Nov 29, 2021
FAA seeking design of air traffic control towers of the future
Call for design submissions for safe, efficient structures.
Codes and Standards | Nov 28, 2021
Efficient electric water heaters in multifamily buildings significantly reduce carbon emissions
In buildings with 5+ units, water heating uses more energy than space heating, cooling, or lighting.
