For property owners in California’s coastal zone hoping to rebuild after the wildfires in the Los Angeles area, including the Pacific Palisades and Malibu, obtaining building permits from their local government may not be...more
The San Diego City Council voted on March 4, 2025, to begin the process of revising its Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Bonus Program (ADU Bonus Program or Program), which has served, to date, as one of the state’s most...more
In part two of the Housing New Laws series, Best Best & Krieger LLP (BBK) attorneys provide key analyses of new housing legislation in 2025 addressing governing urban lot splits and two unit projects, accessory dwelling units...more
On August 6, 2024, Governor Maura Healey signed into law, the Affordable Homes Act, (H.4977) authorizing nearly $5.16 billion in spending over the next five years with approximately 49 policy initiatives to counter rising...more
As in previous years, California saw a significant volume of new housing legislation emerge from Sacramento in 2024. (See Holland & Knight's previous annual recaps of California Housing Laws in the final section below.) This...more
The Massachusetts Affordable Homes Act (H. 4977), signed into law on August 6, 2024, includes provisions intended to promote residential housing construction. These provisions: (1) require municipalities to permit accessory...more
A California Supreme Court ruling will allow student housing at University of California to be built at Berkeley's historic People's Park. In February 2023, a state appeals court in San Francisco had sided with the opponents,...more
The 2023 California Legislative session, like the last several, saw the enactment of a large number of significant new housing production laws. (See Holland & Knight's previous annual recaps of California Housing Laws in the...more
AB 2221 and SB 897 Create Major Changes to California’s ADU Laws - In nearly every legislative session over the past few years, the California Legislature has enacted bills that reduce local control over the development of...more
As in previous years, the California Legislature enacted a large volume of housing production laws in the 2022 session, some of which may have a significant effect on housing production in 2023. ...more
As in previous years, the California Legislature passed a large volume of laws related to housing in the 2021 legislative session. (See Holland & Knight's previous annual recaps of California Housing Laws in the final section...more
Outcry against ADU construction in San Diego prompts rule change proposals - The San Diego Union-Tribune – September 26 - Growing outcry over the construction of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in some San Diego...more
Applies to ADUs Constructed by Qualified Nonprofits - In nearly every legislative session over the past few years, the California Legislature has enacted bills that further reduce local control over the development of...more
Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) have become popular during the run up in California real estate values. ADUs have been touted for several benefits, including increasing housing supply, creating affordable housing options,...more
The Oregon Senate will soon be deciding on a bill that would allow an owner of a lot or parcel at least two acres in size in an area zoned rural residential to build an accessory dwelling unit, or “ADU,” on that lot or...more
Los Angeles streamlines ADU permitting with over-the-counter ADU templates - Los Angeles Times – March 5 - A new initiative by Eric Garcetti’s office in collaboration with Building and Safety aims to change the...more
On Sunday, February 7, 2021, The New York Times published an article entitled, “Converting Backyards into Family Compounds” involving the latest trend in assisted living – accessory dwelling units....more
California lawmakers vote to extend COVID-19 eviction protections through June - Los Angeles Times – January 28 - Californians facing financial hardship because of the COVID-19 pandemic will be protected from eviction...more
For mixed-use multifamily/commercial buildings, ground floor retail is often sought by urban and city planners to serve the residential uses above and in the surrounding neighborhood, while endeavoring to activate the street...more
California bill would allow a duplex on most single-family parcels - Los Angeles Times – August 26 - The California Assembly is considering a bill, authored by state Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins (D-San Diego),...more
Poor grades for California cities on ADUs - East Bay Times – March 3 - California cities are doing a poor job of encouraging homeowners to build accessory dwelling units (ADUs) amid the housing crisis, despite several...more
Several California laws adopted in 2019 to facilitate accessory dwelling units (ADUs) directly benefit multifamily owners. The primary laws of interest are Assembly Bill 68 (Ting), Assembly Bill 881 (Bloom), and Senate Bill...more
In 2019, the California legislature passed, and Governor Newsom approved, new legislation impacting the development industry. Effective January 1, 2020, the laws summarized in the link below will impact the development...more
On January 1, 2020, several housing-related bills recently signed into law by the Governor take effect. We will explain the upcoming changes in housing law through a series of updates. Our first update provided information...more
As California's housing supply and homelessness crisis continues, the State Legislature has for the past several years passed numerous pieces of housing legislation in each legislative session. This year was no exception,...more