Single-family neighborhoods near Wilshire Boulevard such as Hancock Park and Windsor Square may be impacted by SB 79. (photo by Edwin Folven)

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill SB 79 on Oct. 10, a law that will allow more multi-family housing projects to be built near transit lines in densely populated urban areas.

SB 79, authored by state Sen. Scott Wiener, establishes state zoning standards around rail stations and primary bus lines, allowing multi-family buildings within a half mile of major transit stops. Many residents in single-family neighborhoods opposed SB 79, which will supersede Los Angeles zoning codes and clear the way for larger projects in neighborhoods where they otherwise would not be allowed, such as single-family communities along Wilshire Boulevard where Metro’s D Line subway and dedicated bus lanes are located.

“I don’t think the governor’s action was unexpected, but I do think it’s wrong. I think he sold out L.A.,” said Sam Uretsky, leader of the Larchmont Village advocacy group Fight Back! “It shows a lack of concern for neighborhoods and a lack of concern for neighborhood planning. This approach defied common sense.”

Newsom said SB 79 will address the state’s housing crisis, accelerating permitting and streamlining production. The law only applies to Alameda, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties – all large urban areas with public transportation networks. SB 79 allows buildings up to 75 feet tall within a quarter mile of transit stations and dedicated bus lines, and up to 65 feet tall between a quarter mile and half mile of stops. If a parcel is within 200 feet of a transit station, the law allows buildings up to 95 feet tall.

“Housing near transit means shorter commutes, lower costs and more time with family. When we invest in housing, we’re investing in people – their chance to build a future, raise a family and be part of a community,” Newsom said.

“SB 79 is a historic step toward tackling the root cause of California’s affordability crisis – our profound shortage of homes and too few people having access to transit,” Wiener said. “In California we talk a lot about where we don’t want to build homes, but rarely about where we do, until now. SB 79 unwinds decades of overly restrictive land use policies that have driven housing costs to astronomical levels, forcing millions of people to move far away from jobs and transit, to face massive commutes, or to leave California entirely.”

SB 79 was supported by Abundant Housing L.A., the Inner City Law Center and California YIMBY. The Los Angeles City Council and Mayor Karen Bass opposed the law based on concerns it would take away local control over zoning. SB 79 takes effect on July 1, 2026.