Development impact fees are charges that California local agencies impose on new development to fund public infrastructure. A developer submitting a building permit application may encounter fees for roads, parks, schools, water and sewer connections, and fire stations. These fees can add significant cost per unit to a project. California law allows local agencies to… Read more »
California cities and counties have long used growth control measures to limit the pace of residential and commercial development. Some impose annual caps on building permits. Others establish urban growth boundaries beyond which development is restricted or prohibited. A few use voter-approved moratoriums that freeze approvals for defined periods. Taken together, these measures can significantly… 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 »
A developer submits a housing application for a 50-unit residential project in a city with a non-compliant housing element. The site is properly zoned. The application is complete. A few weeks later, neighbors begin appearing at city council meetings. Local officials start discussing whether the century-old craftsman bungalow on the property should receive historic designation…. Read more »
When a city or county denies a housing project, the developer can challenge that decision in court through a Writ of Administrative Mandate under Code of Civil Procedure § 1094.5. The court then reviews the agency record to determine whether the decision followed the law, used proper procedure, and had support in the evidence. In… Read more »
Developers in California often encounter a common condition during project approvals. Before moving forward, the city requires them to sign an indemnity agreement. If someone files a lawsuit to challenge the project, the developer must defend the city and cover legal costs. At first glance, this may seem like a routine requirement. In practice, however,… Read more »
Housing developers in California often face one major obstacle before a project can move forward. Environmental review under CEQA can delay approvals, increase costs, and expose projects to legal challenges. Under AB 130 CEQA, the state has introduced changes aimed at reducing delays for certain housing projects. While the law does not eliminate environmental review,… Read more »
Developers across California often face a frustrating situation. A project complies with zoning rules, yet the city still denies approval. In many cases, the denial points to a supposed conflict with the general plan. This creates uncertainty, delays, and added costs. Zoning conflicts in California frequently arise when cities rely on broad or outdated general… Read more »
Office vacancies remain high across Los Angeles, while the demand for housing continues to grow. In response, the city has expanded its Adaptive Reuse Ordinance in 2026 to make it easier to convert older commercial buildings into residential units. This shift gives property owners and developers a faster path to bring housing to market without… Read more »
Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) have become one of California’s most important housing solutions. The new California Coastal Zone ADU rules under AB 462 aim to make it easier for property owners to build ADUs in coastal communities while still respecting coastal protection policies. For homeowners, understanding how these rules apply inside the coastal zone is essential… Read more »
