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ARTICLE · 29 OCTOBER 2025

New California Legislation Impacts Transit-Oriented Development And Eminent Domain

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During the past several years, California legislators have been pushing through new legislation to increase potential housing opportunities in California.

United StatesReal Estate and Construction
Bradford B. Kuhn
Bradford B. Kuhn
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During the past several years, California legislators have been pushing through new legislation to increase potential housing opportunities in California. In October, Governor Newsom signed California Senate Bill 79 (SB 79), which opens up new residential developments near rail and bus stations in major California communities. Specifically, SB 79 creates rules to override local zoning regulations related to height and density for sites near transit-oriented development stops and applies to the "urban transit communities" of Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Sacramento. Assuming certain conditions are met, developers get streamlined ministerial approvals along with density bonuses and potential exemptions from CEQA.

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