The California Supreme Court recently ruled that the state’s cities and counties can require developers to sell a percentage of the units they build at below-market rates as a condition of a building permit. Developers also could be given the option of paying into a low-cost housing fund.
Describing a shortage of affordable housing in the state as a crisis of “epic proportions,” the court ruled in favor of the City of San Jose in a challenge to an affordable housing ordinance passed five years ago. The law required developers building 20 or more housing units to offer 15% of them at below-market rates or pay into a city fund. Nearly 200 other cities and counties in the state have similar ordinances, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The state building industry sued the city to block it from enforcing the law. Developers contended it amounted to an unconstitutional taking of private property. According to the ruling, municipalities have “broad discretion to regulate the use of real property to serve the legitimate interests of the general public.”
The court’s decision is expected to encourage other cities to adopt similar programs now that legal uncertainty has been addressed. According to a recent legislative report, the average California home costs $440,000, about two and a half times the average national home price ($180,000).
Related Stories
K-12 Schools | Nov 6, 2014
New Sandy Hook school features could influence security standards
The design of the new Sandy Hook Elementary School on the site of the 2012 Newtown, Conn., school shooting features enhanced security measures—some subtle and others more prominent.
| Nov 6, 2014
OSHA seeking input on electrical standards
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is reviewing electrical standards for the construction industry to make sure proper safeguards are in place as electrical wiring is being installed and maintained.
Smart Buildings | Oct 30, 2014
Energy Department pledges $9 million for energy efficiency improvements on commercial buildings
The U.S. Dept. of Energy will spend $9 million to encourage investments in energy-saving technologies that can be tested and deployed in offices, shops, restaurants, hospitals, hotels and other types of commercial buildings.
| Oct 30, 2014
Steel Framing Industry Association’s certification program aims to ensure connector quality
The Steel Framing Industry Association has launched a certification program to ensure that cold-formed steel connectors meet quality guidelines, building codes, and ASTM standards.
| Oct 30, 2014
American Concrete Institute releases reorganized structural concrete code requirements
The reorganized document is organized from an engineer’s perspective. The requirements flow more intuitively and have fewer cross-references for improved logic and flow of information.
| Oct 30, 2014
USGBC pushes back LEED v4 deadline
Extending the deadline gives LEED users additional time to prepare for LEED v4, the latest version of LEED, which features increased rigor and multiple updates.
| Oct 24, 2014
Solar panels could be required on most new construction in San Francisco
A San Francisco city councilor will propose a new regulation that could soon mandate solar panels on most new construction in the city and on many existing apartment buildings.
| Oct 24, 2014
International WELL Building Institute launches green building standard
The International WELL Building Institute has launched the WELL Building Standard Version 1.0, which focuses on enhancing people’s health and well-being through the built environment.
| Oct 24, 2014
Seattle's Bullitt Center influencing codes and public policy on sustainability
The Bullitt Center in Seattle, which some say is the world's most efficient office building is not only influencing how other structures are built, it is contributing to revisions of codes and public policy.
| Oct 16, 2014
U.S. military concerned about climate change putting bases at risk from floods
Among the challenges the armed forces may face is rising sea levels that could put Navy docks and other installations under water in places like Norfolk, Va., Honolulu, and other coastal locations.