California's SB 9 (effective January 1, 2022) made a significant change to development rights in single-family residential zones statewide. Which of the following most accurately describes what SB 9 authorizes?
Correct Answer
A) A ministerial lot split and the construction of a duplex on each resulting parcel, potentially yielding up to four units on a formerly single-family lot
SB 9 (Government Code §65852.21 and §66411.7) requires local agencies to ministerially approve (without discretionary review) a housing development containing no more than two residential units on a single-family parcel, and to ministerially approve an urban lot split that divides a single-family parcel into two lots. By combining both provisions, an owner could place a duplex on each of the two resulting lots, creating up to four units where only one was previously allowed. The law includes restrictions for historic districts, high fire hazard zones, and certain other sensitive areas.
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Related Topics & Key Terms
Key Terms:
Related Concepts
A planned unit development (PUD) is a zoning classification that allows mixed land uses (residential, commercial, recreational) within a single development with flexible zoning standards. Homeowners typically own their lot and share common areas.
Police power is the government's authority to enact laws and regulations to protect the public health, safety, morals, and general welfare. It is the broadest power government has over private property.
Restrictive covenants, also known as CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions), are private agreements written into deeds or HOA documents that limit how property can be used. They are enforced by property owners, not the government.
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