By Ben Christopher

WHAT THE BILL WOULD DO

SB 450 by San Diego Democratic Sen. Toni Atkins is aimed at “fixing” one of the most controversial state housing laws in recent memory. 

In 2021, Gov. Newsom signed another Atkins bill that allows California homeowners to divide their properties into as many as four separate units. That law was both lauded and condemned at the time as the “end of single family zoning” as we know it. In practice, it did no such thing. Few homeowners made use of the law. This bill is aimed at making that law more user friendly, by requiring local governments to approve applications quickly and preventing them from saddling duplex-ification proposals with extra requirements. 

The bill also includes language promoting it as a statewide solution to California’s “severe shortage of housing.” That’s meant to address a court ruling from earlier this year that exempted charter cities from the 2021 law.

WHO SUPPORTS IT

Builders, landlords and “Yes in my Backyard” activists. For years, pro-density and development advocates have argued that zoning restrictions that keep apartment complexes, townhouses and multiplexes out of certain neighborhoods makes it harder for the state to build its way out of the current housing shortage and exacerbates economic and racial exclusion.

WHO IS OPPOSED

Santa Clarita in Los Angeles County and local governments in San Mateo opposed the bill, arguing that it chips away local authority over land use and puts an added burden on city planners. Though this year’s effort generated less attention, the original bill in 2021 saw enormous opposition from local governments, suburban neighborhood associations, anti-density advocates and some progressive political advocacy groups.

WHY IT MATTERS

“Ending single family zoning” has long been the holy grail of YIMBY advocates and pro-equity groups. The 2021 law was a symbolically important crack at statewide zoning reform, but its impact was limited. This year’s bill is another effort to make that vision of a denser California a reality — and to see whether achieving the goal will also make the state more affordable. 

GOVERNOR’S CALL ✅

Newsom signed the bill on Sept. 19.