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ARTICLE · 26 NOVEMBER 2025

Streamlining Middle Housing: The Latest In Small-Site Development Reforms

Allen Matkins Leck Gamble Mallory & Natsis LLP
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California continues its legislative push to address the state's housing crisis, particularly focusing on "middle-housing" projects that bridge the gap between single-family homes and large apartment buildings...

United StatesReal Estate and Construction
Jennifer Jeffers
Jennifer Jeffers
Laura Tepper
Laura Tepper

California continues its legislative push to address the state's housing crisis, particularly focusing on "middle-housing" projects that bridge the gap between single-family homes and large apartment buildings (e.g., duplexes, triplexes, townhomes, cottage clusters, etc.).

Recent legislation broadens the small lot subdivision framework under SB 684 and SB 1123 (previously analyzed here), strengthens SB 9 duplex and lot-split rights, accelerates ministerial permitting timelines, and further liberalizes ADU development. As we previously reported, SB 79 (signed October 10, 2025) also increases density around transit, including on small parcels in single-family zones.

This alert summarizes the most significant newly enacted state laws affecting small-site residential development.

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