California is taking on the housing crisis - What you need to know about the new bill allowing small infill housing
(UPDATE April 25, 2024) The fate of the CA SB9 lot split bill is now in limbo:
Original article 9/17/2021:
Here’s the deal: California needs more housing.
Building ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) is a start, but it's not enough. In comes Senate Bill 9, which allows owners of single-family lots to split into two parcels and build up to four units.
Before you shout, “This is crazy! There goes the neighborhood!” let’s review a summary of the facts:
SB9 provides options for homeowners to build intergenerational wealth. Homeowners are empowered with options to develop their property.
SB9 Benefits homeowners, NOT institutional investors. There's an owner-occupancy requirement to split a lot.
SB9 Establishes a maximum number of units. No more than four units on what is currently a single-family parcel.
SB9 Preserves historic neighborhoods. SB 9 excludes historic and landmark districts.
SB9 Respects local control. Must comply with local zoning requirements when developing a duplex (height, floor area ratios, lot coverage, etc.).
SB9 Promotes strategic infill growth. Must be located in an “urbanized area” or “urban cluster”, as designated by the US Census.
We reviewed the US Census map for San Diego - since that's our hometown - to find urbanized areas or urban cluster areas. It includes much of coastal San Diego county and reaches inland as far East as Alpine. See the Census map below for more information (the area within the green outline is included in SB9).
We typically design custom single-family homes, so what is our interest in all this?
We care because the need for housing affects us all. Can our retired grandparents or our children afford their own home here? Can restaurant and hospitality workers afford to live near where they work? Don't get us wrong, we'd hate to see ugly apartment buildings on these lots. That doesn't improve anyone's quality of life. This is instead an opportunity to prioritize quality over quantity. Hence, neighborhoods maintain character and increase value, and more Californians have a place to call home.