California’s reaction to cities that fail to submit compliant zoning plans could reverberate across the state as other regions near their deadlines.
A key deadline for California cities could shape the future of housing in the state. As Ben Christopher explains in CALmatters, dozens of San Francisco Bay Area cities must submit zoning plans by January 31 that adapt their zoning codes to lower barriers to multifamily construction as part of the state’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA).
The statewide policy comes with a series of rolling regional deadlines, with the Bay Area’s January deadline serving as an important test case. “Whether Bay Area local governments comply — and how the state responds to those that don’t — could indicate just how seriously the Newsom administration takes its ambitious housing goals.”
Christopher explains the RHNA process, which has been used by the state for decades but only recently gained teeth. Now, localities without a compliant housing element and zoning code that support housing production that meets local needs face legal and financial penalties. “Included among the possible penalties listed in state law are cuts in state funding for affordable housing and transportation.” In some cases, developers can use a law known as the ‘Builder’s Remedy’ to bypass zoning regulations in noncompliant cities when they include affordable units in their projects.
FULL STORY: Approaching Bay Area deadline a ‘test case’ for California’s housing crisis
DC Residents Want Affordability Over ‘Character’
A poll finds that most residents want to see changes in zoning and land use laws that unlock more housing construction in the District and improve affordability.
Commentary: Minimum Lot Sizes Drive Up Housing Costs
How making residential building requirements more flexible can ease the housing crisis and make neighborhoods more livable for more households.
New Jersey Calls for 85,000 New Housing Units
A state law known as the Mount Laurel Doctrine mandates that each jurisdiction accommodate enough new housing units to meet the local demand for affordable housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)