Here’s what you need to know and how to help clients prepare.
When Gov. Gavin Newsom signed SB 79, the Abundant and Affordable Homes Near Transit Act, he set in motion one of the most consequential shifts in California land use law in decades. The statute pushes housing production into transit-rich corridors, replaces local zoning restrictions near transit with uniform state standards and trades CEQA litigation for ministerial review in qualifying areas. SB 79 marks a decisive move from encouraging local compliance to mandating it.
What the white paper covers
- Policy backdrop: How SB 79 builds on prior housing laws like SB 743, 35 and 9 to accelerate transit-area development.
- Local preemption: When cities lose zoning discretion near major transit stops and by-right approval applies.
- CEQA streamlining: New exemptions and limits on environmental review for qualifying projects.
- Transit-rich mapping: How annual OPR/HCD maps define where the new rules apply.
- Enforcement: Expanded powers for HCD, the AG’s Housing Strike Force, and private actions.
- 2026 readiness: Infrastructure, equity, and compliance steps to prepare clients now.
Why it matters
SB 79 moves the center of gravity in land use practice from city hall to Sacramento. It replaces political discretion with more predictable approval pathways in transit-rich areas, but also introduces new enforcement risks and litigation fronts. Attorneys who understand both the policy intent and the procedural mechanics of the statute will be best positioned to guide cities, developers and investors through this transition.
Complete the short form to download your copy and see how SB 79 may affect your clients, projects and litigation strategy.
