US EditionCalifornia Bill Paves Way for More Housing Near Transit Hubs. Why Do some LA Leaders Oppose It?
SB 79 overrides local zoning to allow up to nine-story buildings near transit stops in eight California counties to address housing shortages and reduce emissions, officials said.
- On Friday, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 79, the Abundant & Affordable Homes Near Transit Act, creating statewide zoning standards for housing within a half mile of transit, effective July 1, 2026.
- Skyrocketing costs—including a median California home price over $900,000 requiring $237,000 while typical family income is $96,500—and just over 100,000 permits issued in 2023 pushed lawmakers to act.
- Under SB 79, height rules specify nine stories adjacent, seven within a quarter-mile, and six within a half-mile, streamlining permitting within a half-mile and enabling transit agencies like the Metropolitan Transit System to develop greater density.
- Local leaders pushed back, saying Mayor Karen Bass and the Los Angeles City Council opposed the bill in an 8-to-5 vote over local control, while California YIMBY CEO Brian Hanlon hailed it as transformative.
- The law also builds in fire-safety `flexibility` and timelines, requires 7 to 13 percent subsidized units per project, and allows deferrals until approximately 2030 to reduce vehicle miles for climate goals.
21 Articles
21 Articles
Newsom just signed SB 79, allowing far more housing along transit. Here’s what it means for San Diego County.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed controversial legislation Friday that overrides local zoning rules to allow tall apartment and condo buildings in single-family areas near many transit stations statewide — including at every stop on the San Diego Trolley and the Sprinter. The legislation had been a lightning rod for advocates on both sides of the housing-density fight for months, with supporters of development hailing it as a breakthrough and opponents …
Sacramento's Heavy Hand: SB 79 Bulldozes Local Control in the Name of Housing
October 10, 2025 – Sacramento, CA In a move that critics are calling a brazen overreach by state government, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 79, the so-called "Abundant & Affordable Homes Near Transit Act," into law today, further eroding local control over zoning in California's cities. Authored by Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), the bill forces municipalities...
Hartford Courant
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signs historic housing bill to bring density to transit hubs
LOS ANGELES — On the campaign trail eight years ago, Gov. Gavin Newsom famously promised to support the construction of 3.5 million new homes in California by the end of this year. He'll likely fall short by millions, but his latest move reaffirms the effort. Newsom signed Senate Bill 79 into law on Friday. The historic bill, which looks to add density to transit hubs across California, is one ...
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