Room To Roam Act Becomes Law

On September 27, 2024, Governor Gavin Newsom signed California Assembly Bill 1889, the "Room to Roam Act." The Act amends Section 65302 of the Government Code to add certain fish, wildlife, and habitat connectivity considerations to the provisions governing general plans for land use in Californian cities and counties. In light of the Act's passage, cities and counties will be required to update their general plans to include considerations regarding wildlife movement within or around a proposed project area upon the next update of the local government's general plan that occurs on or after January 1, 2028. Nossaman previously reported on the Room to Roam Act after it had been passed through the California Assembly and taken up by the California Senate in June 2024.