Gov. Newsom signs SB 9, curbing single-family zoning in California

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

In one of his first actions after surviving an election seeking to oust him from office, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday essentially abolished single-family zoning in California — and green-lighted a series of bills intended to bolster the state’s housing production.

By signing Senate Bill 9 into law, Newsom opened the door for the development of up to four residential units on single-family lots across California. The move follows a growing push by local governments to allow multi-family dwellings in more residential neighborhoods. Berkeley voted to eliminate single-family zoning by Dec. 2022, and San Jose is set to consider the issue next month.

While opponents fear such a sweeping change will destroy the character of residential neighborhoods, supporters hail it as a necessary way to combat the state’s persistent housing crisis and correct city zoning laws that have contributed to racial segregation.

“The housing affordability crisis is undermining the California Dream for families across the state, and threatens our long-term growth and prosperity,” Newsom wrote in a news release. “Making a meaningful impact on this crisis will take bold investments, strong collaboration across sectors and political courage from our leaders and communities to do the right thing and build housing for all.”

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/gov-newsom-signs-sb-9-curbing-single-family-zoning-in-california/ar-AAOxb54

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. This is good news, although difficult to consider.

The historic single-family home has become enshrined in our culture, and it needs to change.

There will be pain but in the long run, more people will have decent housing with all the benefits that go with it.

[ColinC]

2. I wonder if you will just have much smaller units for higher prices

With no end in sight for price gouging, this could just be a temporary fix, no?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. That could be. High demand usually drives prices up.

If lower-income folks are to be housed in these units, there will need to be some sort of control over prices.

Really rich people won't be satisfied with small units. They want large, and they're willing and able to pay inflated prices.

[Big Blue Marble]

4. This will mostly benefit developers

as they build with cheap materials and make quick profits. They are behind the push to destroy
existing single family homes that have provided quality of life for millions for decades.

What about parking and city services such as sewers and water treatment? The taxpayers will be
left with the costs of improvements The developers will profit in the guise of reducing segregation
while owners of single family homes will lose property values and control of their neighborhoods.

More and more home owners will move to gated communities to protect their assets.

[sdfernando]

5. I am conflicted about this.

On the one hand I totally understand we have a housing crisis and affordability is out of reach for so many. I'm not opposed to allowing additional housing on single-family lots but it needs to be done carefully....and not allowed on every plot

On the other hand I've seen what happens in areas where larger groups (say a 1/2 block of full block) of houses are scooped up and demolished for very dense multi-unit condos or apartments. Instead of 10 or 20 families you now have 200....and instead of maybe 20-to 50 vehicles you now have 400 or 500. They never make enough parking (underground or otherwise) so now there is almost 0 street parking available....and the streets are not getting any wider so congestion goes up, especially at rush hour times...not to mention the resulting wear & tear on streets and other infrastructure.