California recently passed three new laws that are expected to promote construction of more affordable housing and make the state’s built environment more sustainable.
Senate Bill 9 allows property owners to build duplexes or split their properties in areas with zoning ordinances designed to allow only a single-family dwelling per lot. These zoned areas comprise about two thirds of zoned land in the state.
Senate Bill 10 eliminates some obstacles for cities to change their zoning codes in urban areas with plenty of public transit. Such efforts will no longer have to go through the California Environmental Quality Act’s arduous review process.
Senate Bill 8 bolsters an existing law that prevents cities from using longstanding regulations to shut out new residents by blocking localities from imposing downzoning policies that allow fewer people in, and raising building permit fees. These laws are expected to foster denser growth that is believed to reduce an area’s carbon footprint.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | May 23, 2018
AAMA releases 2017/2018 fenestration market studies
Offers forecasts of industry trends.
Codes and Standards | May 22, 2018
Registration open for 2018 National Energy Codes Conference
U.S. Department of Energy event to be held July 15th-17th in Austin.
Codes and Standards | May 21, 2018
New standard tests quietness of floors
ASTM International method will help manufacturers test their flooring materials.
Codes and Standards | May 17, 2018
California will require solar panels on most new homes
Projected to add $10,000 to cost of new homes.
Codes and Standards | May 16, 2018
New resources offer tips on off-site construction
NIBS documents address using pre-cast concrete, and commercial and legal considerations of modular construction.
Codes and Standards | May 15, 2018
Blast testing of loaded mass timber structures yields positive results
Four tests covered a spectrum of blast loads.
Codes and Standards | May 14, 2018
Maryland makes general contractors liable for failure of subs to pay employees
GCs could have to pay for up to three times the wages owed.
Codes and Standards | May 10, 2018
Data collection, machine learning boost building efficiency
Sensors, software algorithms squeeze out waste.
Codes and Standards | May 9, 2018
OSHA and state safety agencies write more than 100 silica citations in 6 months
Actions tending to come with investigation of other site conditions.
Codes and Standards | May 8, 2018
Powerhouse coalition builds energy positive buildings
The goal: build buildings that provide more power than they cost to build, run, and demolish.