AB 2097 bars most California public agencies from imposing minimum parking requirements on development within a half mile of a major transit stop. Codified at Government Code Section 65863.2, the statute took effect January 1, 2023, and it overrides local zoning ordinances, including those adopted by charter cities. However, the law’s practical application involves far… Read more »
California is still dealing with a serious housing shortage. Cities have struggled to keep up with demand, and many projects get slowed down or blocked at the local level. SB 79 is part of the state’s response to that problem. Signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on October 10, 2025, SB 79, the Abundant and Affordable… 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 »
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 »
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 »
Today the land use law firm of Kassouni Law filed the opening brief in an important case challenging the Plan Bay Area’s Sustainable Communities Strategy adopted by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG). Kassouni Law represents Michael Shaw of Freedom Advocates, Rosa Koire, and the Post-Sustainability Institute. MTC and ABAG were… Read more »
To say that the situation in Nevada between federal officials and cattle rancher Clive Bundy has gotten out of hand would be an understatement. As of this morning, armed federal officials have seized Mr. Bundy’s cattle, forcibly arrested his son, and surrounded his ranch with armed federal agents. The Bundy’s, for their part, have assembled… Read more »
The United States Constitution provides that the government may not take your property without due process of law. In the criminal law context that usually means that you cannot be punished, or have your property taken unless the government can prove that you committed a crime. Yet, in states and cities across the country, property… Read more »
Kassouni Law’s recent landmark property rights victory is featured in the news: Alameda County pays almost $2 million to Castro Valley company after losing lawsuit By Rebecca Parr The Daily Review Posted: 12/16/2013 03:35:11 PM PST Updated: 12/16/2013 04:46:27 PM PST CASTRO VALLEY — Alameda County has been ordered to pay almost… Read more »
Last week the United States Supreme Court heard oral arguments in United States v. Apel — a case which has a number of free speech advocacy groups up in arms. But as Justice Scalia repeatedly pointed out during oral argument, the First Amendment is not at issue in the case. To understand this confusion, a… Read more »
