Senate Bill 9 (2021)
Background
In September 2021, the Governor signed into law Senate Bill 9 (SB 9) which went into effect January 1, 2022. The bill, among other things, adds Government Code sections 65852.21 and 66411.7 requiring local jurisdictions to grant ministerial approval of housing development projects for up to two dwelling units on a parcel, and to similarly grant ministerial approval for an “urban lot split” meeting certain criteria. The bill disallows discretionary review (e.g. design review hearings) for housing development projects and urban lot splits and authorizes jurisdictions to adopt objective standards that do not prevent the creation of two lots with a minimum size of 1,200 sq.ft. each and the creation of two dwelling units on each lot with a minimum size of 800 sq.ft. each. The full text of the bill can be found at the California Legislative Information web site here.
SB 9 Will Streamline New Housing
SB 9 will streamline new housing production in that it requires ministerial approval of housing development projects and urban lot splits by staff. This eliminates the public hearing process which can be costly, involve multiple meetings and significant public commentary. Moving forward, projects under SB 9 will be less costly to process and more quickly reviewed against the objective standards through the ministerial process (similar to applying for a building permit).
Ordinance 681
On December 13, 2021, the City Council adopted Ordinance 681 to put in place implementation measures and objective standards pursuant to SB 9.
Handouts & Application Form
Before You Apply: A Title Company needs to record the subdivision of an SB 9 Urban Lot Split with Contra Costa County and get the legal title after approval. We strongly recommend you check with your Title Company to ensure they will process the SB 9 Urban Lot Split.
- SB 9 Eligibility Checklist
- SB 9 Submittal Requirements & Application
- SB 9 Fact Sheet (CA Dept. of Housing and Community Development
Application Forms & Public Information
Interested parties are also encouraged to sign up to be notified of new information at www.lovelafayette.org/city-hall/e-notification > SB 9