California Legislature Passes Landmark SB 79 Housing Bill, Heads to Newsom’s Desk

Sacramento, CA – In a pivotal move during the final hours of the 2025 legislative session, California lawmakers have approved Senate Bill 79 (SB 79), a landmark housing bill poised to significantly reshape development across the state. The controversial legislation, which overrides local zoning laws to allow for high-density housing near transit hubs, received final concurrence from the State Senate on Friday with a 21-8 vote, following its passage in the Assembly on Thursday.

The bill now advances to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk for signing, with an expected review in October. Introduced by Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), SB 79 aims to combat California’s severe housing shortage by enabling the construction of taller, denser residential buildings adjacent to bus stops and train stations. Under the new rules, buildings could reach up to nine stories near certain transit stops, seven stories within a quarter-mile, and six stories within a half-mile, impacting single-family neighborhoods in these corridors.

The legislation categorizes transit areas into tiers, with Tier 1 zones (heavy rail lines like L.A. Metro B and D) allowing six- to nine-story buildings, and Tier 2 zones (light rail and dedicated bus lanes) permitting five- to eight-story structures. Proponents, including YIMBY Action and Assemblymembers like Sharon Quirk-Silva, argue that drastic measures are essential to address the affordability crisis and that building near existing transit infrastructure is the most logical approach.

However, the bill has faced considerable opposition, with critics, including the Los Angeles City Council, labeling it an overreach that strips local authorities of control and potentially disadvantages lower-income neighborhoods. Councilmembers Traci Park and John Lee, who co-authored a resolution opposing the bill, called for L.A. to be exempt due to its existing state-approved housing plan.

Despite initial resistance, support for SB 79 solidified in recent days after the State Building and Construction Trades Council, a powerful labor group, reversed its opposition. This shift came after amendments were added to the bill, ensuring union hiring for certain projects, a move praised by the council’s President Chris Hannan for providing good jobs and training.

阅读中文版 (Read Chinese Version)

Disclaimer: This content is aggregated from public sources online. Please verify information independently. If you believe your rights have been infringed, contact us for removal.