Some of our recent blog posts have followed the progress of SB 827, a bill intended to address the State housing shortage. The bill limits local zoning restrictions for housing units located in qualifying transit areas. The bill was sponsored by California YIMBY (Yes in My Backyard) and supported by some in the building industry. However, local governments, environmental organizations, and many other groups opposed the bill. Not surprisingly, the bill was voted down this April in the State Senate Transportation and Housing committee.

The author of SB 827, Scott Wiener, made the decision to proceed to Committee with the bill, rather than pull it, despite knowing that it was unlikely to get the votes. The initial purpose of SB 827 was to generate further conversation regarding the State’s housing crises, and the bill seems to have generated more attention than was expected. Future efforts may incorporate some aspects of SB 827. However, passing any bill that aggressively overrides local zoning controls like SB 827 proposed will require a robust effort lasting longer than the 4 months SB 827 lived.

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