What is Senate Bill 9 (SB 9)?

SB 9 was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on September 16, 2021 and came into effect January 1, 2022. SB 9 requires a proposed housing development containing no more than two residential units (SB 9: 2-Unit Housing Development) within single-family residential zones to be considered ministerially without discretionary review or public hearing, if the proposed housing development meets certain eligibility requirements. SB 9 also requires cities to ministerially approve an Urban Split in a single-family residential zone if it meets certain objective requirements. In both cases, the City may apply objective zoning standards, objective subdivision standards, and objective design standards

For more information, please visit the following link: Senate Bill 9

Key Takeaways from SB9:

A single-family zoned lot could potentially have up to four (4) units, if it meets certain eligibility and standard requirements.

Also, the City will now be able to ministerially approve (without discretionary review or a public hearing) one or both of the following:

• 2-unit housing development: A housing development of no more than two units in a single-family residentially zoned lot.
• Urban Lot Split: A single-family residentially zoned lot can be split into two lots.

Updates

The City Council Staff Report is available here: Senate Bill 9 Staff Report and Ordinance

The approved SB 9 Urgency Ordinance is available here: Senate Bill 9 Urgency Ordinance

Other Resources

Accessory dwelling units (ADU) and junior accessory dwelling units (JADU) are different than residential units developed pursuant to SB 9. If you are interested in developing an ADU or JADU, please visit our Accessory Dwelling Units web page.