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.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.
Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.
LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
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.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions