SB 79

SB 79 will make it faster and easier to build multi-family housing near transit stops, like train and rapid bus lines, by making it legal for more homes to be built in these areas.

Across California, cities continue to ban most new housing near publicly-funded transit stops. These housing bans contribute to high housing costs, make traffic and pollution worse, and make it difficult or impossible for most Californians to use the transit systems they paid for.

SB 79 will make it legal to build more multi-family housing near rail stations and rapid bus lines, including in areas where such homes are currently illegal. Under the bill’s provisions, the type of new homes that will be allowed is determined by the distance of the housing from a transit stop; the transit type and frequency; and the overall level of transit infrastructure in the region.    

SB 79 will help lower housing costs by increasing the supply of homes in these areas, while also bolstering transit use and improving the funding stability of public transportation systems.

Does Los Angeles need SB79?

Yes! According to a new USC report, the City of Los Angeles has only built 65,509 (14%) of the 456,000 new homes we need between 2021 and 2029. As a result, prices continue to skyrocket, with no end in sight. Currently 45% of parcels near rail stops in LA are zoned for low density uses like single family homes, duplexes, or parking. As a region, Los Angeles has the most ambitious rail and bus rapid transit expansion in the country, with over $120B being invested over the next few decades. We are spending billions on new transit but stiffing ridership with poor land use. Without Sb79 we will have worse traffic, worse air quality, and more expensive housing.

Will SB-79 protect renters?

Yes. SB 79 prohibits demolishing rent-controlled buildings where renters have lived any time in the past 5 years if the building has more than two units. This focuses the majority of new development on underutilized parcels such as parking lots, single family homes, and commercial properties. It also includes mandatory affordability requirements between 7-13% of units depending on the affordability level.

What areas does SB-79 Impact?

SB-79 will only impact areas within 1/2 mile of a rail stop, heavy rail stop, or a BRT stop (and only with high enough frequency and dedicated 24/7 bus lanes). SB79 will NOT impact the Pacific Palisades or Altadena.

What kind of density will SB-79 add?

SB-79 will allow developers to build missing middle density between 4 and 7 stories near transit stops. While cities will no longer be able to reject apartment projects solely because they exceed the newly proposed height limits, cities will still keep control around design, architecture, materials, historic preservation, and more.