State officials in California are putting pressure on localities to reform zoning and permitting practices to allow more housing construction.
Attorney General Rob Bonta has created a new 12-member Department of Justice task force to more strictly enforce pro-housing laws. Bonta hinted recently that more lawsuits against cities failing to meet state-imposed quotas for zoning land for housing could be in the works.
The League of California Cities sharply criticized Bonta’s comments. A spokesperson for the league derided the state’s “scattershot approach” to housing laws that are “often in direct conflict with each other and counterproductive to our shared goals to increase housing supply.”
Tension between the state and local governments over housing recently flared up in the Bay Area. The state Department of Housing and Community Development warned San Francisco that the city’s rejection of two housing projects could violate state law. The department ordered the city to provide “reasoning and evidence” for blocking more than 800 units of new housing.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Oct 14, 2019
States continue to beef up energy efficiency codes
ACEEE 50-state scorecard finds latest IECC code gaining adherents.
Codes and Standards | Oct 9, 2019
DOE releases Better Buildings Healthcare Financing Primer
Outlines financial strategies to implement energy-efficiency projects in healthcare.
Codes and Standards | Oct 8, 2019
Zero Carbon Buildings for All aims for ambitious emission reduction targets
Organization makes commitment to net zero carbon for all buildings by 2050.
Codes and Standards | Oct 7, 2019
Tailgating remains a critical building security threat, say security professionals
Few buildings provide beefed up provisions to counteract threat.
Codes and Standards | Oct 7, 2019
New seismic standard to evaluate, retrofit existing structural steel buildings open for review
AISC seeks input through Nov. 4.
Codes and Standards | Sep 27, 2019
Open source tool allows comparison of embodied carbon emissions from construction materials
Enables carbon-smart choices during material specification and procurement.
Codes and Standards | Sep 27, 2019
AIA declaration: Climate change requires ‘holistic approach’
Must address interdependencies among people, buildings, infrastructure, and the environment.
Codes and Standards | Sep 26, 2019
San Jose’s new building energy code is the most stringent among large cities
New regulations aim to make zero-emission electric buildings the norm.
Codes and Standards | Sep 26, 2019
Building support for climate action depends on linking it to health, economic benefits
USGBC report finds most people don’t think environmental problems significant enough to prioritize action.
Codes and Standards | Sep 20, 2019
OSHA has a new chief for its construction directorate
Former Army medical staffer Scott Ketcham has extensive OSHA experience.
