California stands at a pivotal juncture in 2025, confronting an array of environmental and housing challenges. As usual, the California State Legislature is considering numerous strategies to address these issues. This year’s...more
6/24/2025
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Affordable Housing ,
California ,
California Coastal Commission ,
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Demolition ,
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Natural Disasters ,
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Real Estate Development ,
Sackett v EPA ,
Water Conservation ,
Waters of the United States ,
Wetlands ,
Wildfires
On October 10, 2024, the California Fish and Game Commission (Commission) unanimously voted to designate the western burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) as a candidate species under the California Endangered Species...more
6/19/2025
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California Fish and Game Commission ,
CEQA ,
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The California Fish and Game Commission (Commission) held its second meeting on the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan (Draft Conservation Plan) on April 16, 2025. Though no formal action was taken, the Commission received...more
“Recent federal actions limiting the Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ) authority under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) have created an uncertain regulatory landscape, with less clarity on how agencies will...more
On March 14, 2025, the California Court of Appeal for the First District issued the first published opinion interpreting Assembly Bill 52 (AB 52), the law governing tribal consultation procedures under the California...more
Vacancy rates across the state are showing improvement, particularly in San Francisco, which reflects California’s housing shortage. Demand also remains strong, and supply is growing, suggesting confidence in the sector...more
2/12/2025
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Apartments ,
California ,
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Rental Property ,
Urban Planning & Development ,
Vacant Properties
The California Court of Appeal’s recent decision in V Lions Farming, LLC v. County of Kern provides important clarity on the use of agricultural conservation easements (ACEs) for mitigating the conversion of agricultural land...more
2/5/2025
/ Agribusiness ,
Agricultural Sector ,
California ,
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SB 684, which took effect on July 1 of this year, provides for streamlined, ministerial processing of certain residential projects in multifamily zoning districts consisting of no more than 10 single-family homes. The law...more
On April 12, 2024, the Supreme Court of the United States issued its much-anticipated ruling in Sheetz v. County of El Dorado, U.S. No. 22-1074 (petition for certiorari granted 9/29/23) (Sheetz). The case concerned the...more
4/16/2024
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George Sheetz v County of El Dorado ,
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Traffic Impact Assessments