California Surveyors Forums

SB 684, Caballero. Land use: streamlined approval processes: development projects of 10 or fewer residential units on urban lots under 5 acres.
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/face ... 20240SB684

It appears to be another SB9 style "red tape cutter" however my personal experience with the SB9 process was that it doesn't really cut much tape since we still have to do all the things required for a subdivision (IE environmental studies, water, septic, archeology review etc) with the only difference that we complete them upfront to prove that the parcel in question does not have any of the exclusionary criteria. The only real benefits I have seen with SB9 is it saves a little time and money on the public hearing, and it allows for subdivisions to ignore most zoning laws related to density and parcel size.

I know that each jurisdiction will implement and interpret this law differently, so experiences will vary, but my guess is most jurisdictions will treat this like SB9 projects. Has anyone attempted a project under this new law and got a handle on what is different compared to the SB9 process in that jurisdiction?

Mikey Mueller, PLS 9076
Sonoma County

I've been trying to follow it closely, but literally not one down here in my agency. LA maybe had some, there were some realtors with some youtube videos discussing it at one point.

But I agree with you Mikey, the SMA is not superceded by these, and if they are creating new lots or condo units, they need a parcel / final map post-entitlement.

This one may get a bit bigger following once investors realize what they can do, but in my mind home builders are dictated by markets. 10 600sf 1+1 units may not be the highest and best use of a lot. Just like SB9 didn't get a huge following because most SFR owners want to have their yards and garages haha.