SB 79 Information

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Senate Bill (SB) 79 Update and Overview (June 29, 2026)

Note: This update reflects information available as of June 29, 2026.The City will update this page as the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) and the State of California Housing & Community Development (HCD) release additional guidance or mapping information.

SB 79 (the “Abundant and Affordable Homes Near Transit Act”) establishes statewide minimum zoning standards for eligible housing development projects within defined Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) zones. For eligible sites, SB 79 sets minimum allowable height, density, and residential floor area ratio (FAR) standards that supersede inconsistent local zoning.

The City of West Hollywood was recently informed that the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) provided the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) with additional clarification that the SB 79 map should include planned TOD stops associated with transit projects for which a Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) has been adopted, even if full environmental clearance has not yet been completed.

SCAG has indicated that it is updating the SB 79 Stops, Zones, and Tiers Map to include planned light rail stations associated with adopted LPAs, including stations associated with the Metro K Line Northern Extension project here in West Hollywood. When made available by SCAG, the official SB 79 map and related updates will be accessible here: https://scag.ca.gov/housing.

Being located within a mapped SB 79 area does not mean every property is eligible for an SB 79 project. Applicability depends on the parcel’s location, zoning, existing uses, project design, and SB 79 eligibility criteria, including anti-displacement protections.

Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) stop tiers (simplified)

Development standards (selected highlights)

Proximity to TOD Stop	Tier 1			Tier 2
Proximity to TOD Stop	Height	Density	FAR	Height	Density	FAR
Adjacent (within 200 ft of a pedestrian access point)	95 ft.	160 du/ac	4.5 residential FAR	85 ft.	140 du/ac	4.0 residential FAR
Within ¼ mile	75 ft.	120 du/ac	3.5 residential FAR	65 ft.	100 du/ac	3.0 residential FAR
Between ¼ and ½ mile (cities ≥ 35,000 residents)	65 ft.	100 du/ac	3.0 residential FAR	55 ft.	80 du/ac	2.5 residential FAR

du/ac = dwelling units per acre

Notes:

The 200-foot row reflects the SB 79 adjacency intensifier, which increases the applicable height limit by 20 feet, density by 40 du/ac, and residential FAR by 1.0 before application of the State Density Bonus Law.

Distance is measured in a straight line from the nearest edge of the project parcel to a pedestrian access point for the TOD stop. The 1/4- to 1/2-mile standards apply only in cities with a population of at least 35,000. SCAG has indicated that annual population data released by the California Department of Finance will be used to determine the population numbers for each jurisdiction.

Core Eligibility Requirements

A project using SB 79 must be a housing development project on a site zoned for residential, mixed-use, or commercial development within the applicable distance of a qualifying TOD stop, and must meet baseline criteria, including:

At least five units; no hotel, motel, bed-and-breakfast, or other transient lodging use, subject to limited statutory exceptions.
Minimum density of the greater of 30 du/ac or the local minimum density, if applicable.
Average unit size cap: the average total area of floor space for proposed units may not exceed 1,750 net habitable square feet.
Affordability (projects with 11+ units): at least 7% Extremely Low Income, or 10% Very Low Income, or 13% Lower Income. If the local inclusionary requirement mandates a higher percentage of affordable units or a deeper level of affordability, the local requirement governs.

Demolition / anti-displacement site limits (RSO relevance):

SB 79 cannot be used on a site containing more than two dwelling units where the project would require demolition of housing subject to any form of rent or price control (including West Hollywood RSO-regulated units) that has been occupied by tenants within the past seven years. It also cannot be used on a site that previously housed more than two units, any of which were subject to rent or price controls, and that were demolished within the past seven years.
Separately, SB 79 projects must comply with the Housing Crisis Act replacement housing and tenant protection requirements (Gov. Code § 66300.6) and any applicable local demolition or anti-displacement ordinance.

Relationship to State Density Bonus Law

Options for Local Implementation

Local jurisdictions have several implementation options under SB 79, including:

Option 1: Adopt a local TOD Alternative Plan. This approach allows a jurisdiction to redistribute some required housing capacity across affected TOD sites and zones, subject to SB 79 requirements and HCD review.

Option 2: Adopt a delayed implementation ordinance for areas or sites that meet specified criteria. Some cities are also considering or adopting targeted zoning changes to make certain areas eligible for delayed implementation.

Option 3: Adopt local objective development standards that apply to SB 79 projects, provided those standards do not conflict with the ability of a qualifying housing project to be built at the state-required height, density, and FAR.

Option 4: Allow SB 79 to apply as written. The City of West Hollywood has not yet adopted a local SB 79 implementation ordinance or TOD Alternative Plan. While the City evaluates local implementation options, it is currently preparing to administer SB 79 for any eligible application unless and until a local ordinance or TOD Alternative Plan applies.

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