Temporary government action can interfere with a property owner’s ability to use, develop, or obtain value from private property. When that interference lasts for a limited period, it may raise questions about whether the government has temporarily taken property rights without providing compensation. A temporary restriction does not automatically avoid compensation simply because the government… Read more »
Every city and county in California must maintain a Housing Element, a state-mandated component of the General Plan showing how the jurisdiction will plan for its share of regional housing needs. Adopting a Housing Element is not optional, and adopting an inadequate one carries real legal consequences. A Housing Element that fails to meet state… Read more »
When a county charges a property owner with illegal grading, the consequences can be serious. A notice of violation can affect how an owner uses the land. It can also lead to enforcement proceedings, fines, or corrective-action requirements. Property owners facing enforcement may need to decide whether to accept the government’s position or challenge it…. Read more »
A zoning violation notice may arise after a complaint, property inspection, permit review, or other interaction with a local agency. For property owners, these enforcement actions can affect how they use, develop, finance, or transfer their property. California cities and counties have broad authority to regulate land use and enforce zoning requirements. However, that authority… Read more »
California’s Density Bonus Law allows qualifying residential projects to exceed local zoning limits on density, height, and parking. It is one of the most significant development tools available under state law. Developers who meet the statutory requirements can use these benefits to increase a project’s development potential. The law limits local zoning restrictions in specific… Read more »
Zoning law governs how land can be used, and most California property owners eventually run into its limits. A project that does not conform to applicable zoning standards generally requires one of two things: a variance from the zoning code, or a use permit authorizing a use that the code does not allow as of… Read more »
Housing projects across California face a familiar problem. Local agencies change zoning rules mid-project. Design standards multiply with each review. Hearings get continued indefinitely. A project that once looked straightforward can quickly become a moving target. SB 330, the Housing Crisis Act of 2019, was designed to stop that cycle. The law limits many of… Read more »
Property owners rebuilding after a fire in Malibu or the Pacific Palisades face a coastal permitting system unlike anywhere else in California. The California Coastal Act generally requires a coastal development permit before any construction in the coastal zone. However, a specific exemption allows many fire victims to rebuild without that permit, provided the replacement… Read more »
California needs far more housing than it builds each year. The state falls short by an estimated 180,000 homes annually, creating ongoing pressure on housing affordability and supply. To address that shortage, the Legislature passed Assembly Bill 2011, the Affordable Housing and High Road Jobs Act of 2022. AB 2011 allows affordable and mixed-income housing… Read more »
SB 684 requires California cities to ministerially approve small residential subdivisions of ten units or fewer on qualifying urban lots. Signed on October 11, 2023, and effective July 1, 2024, the law removes discretionary review, public hearings, and CEQA analysis for projects that meet its objective criteria. Senate Bill 1123, effective July 1, 2025, expanded… Read more »
