USModular Inc. , Southern California’s premier prefabricated Home builder has been advocating for legislation that will make it easier to build more housing in single family neighborhoods in Palmdale that have the infrastructure and land, yet old zoning rules. With the ADU laws and now SB9, more home owners can use their land to create housing as rental units or for family members.
On January 1, 2022 Senate Bill 9 (SB9) became effective. SB9 will allow for more new home construction in single family neighborhoods throughout California and USModular, Inc. sees significant opportunity for homeowners in San Diego County, Los Angeles County, Riverside County and Santa Ana to add additional home units on their property.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill (SB) 9 and it allows for:
– Lot subdivisions will be permitted: lots that are currently zoned as Single Family Residences can be subdivided into two parcels or lots.
– Permits duplex residences, which means you can convert or construct two units on each lot.
Basically SB 9 says a municipality must approve lot splits and duplex construction (or the combination) magisterially, meaning that now it gets easier to approve these projects without prolonged review or hearings. Projects approved magisterially are not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Does your lot qualify for SB9 for 2 homes in Palmdale?
Although SB9 could help build more homes in single family neighborhoods there are still many hoops to jump through. SB 9 would allow housing development projects containing no more than two dwelling units on a single-family zoned parcel to be permitted on a ministerial basis, upon satisfaction of a number of qualifying factors that include the following:
• The project site is in a city or urbanized portion of an unincorporated county.
• The project site is not located on or in any of the following: 1) prime farmland, or farmland of statewide importance, 2) wetlands, 3) within a very high fire severity zone, 4) a hazardous waste or hazardous list site, 5) within a delineated earthquake fault zone, 6) within a 100-year flood zone, 7) within a floodway, 8) identified for conservation in an adopted natural community conservation plan, 9) habitat for protected species or 10) lands under conservation easement.
• The project site also cannot require demolition or alteration of any housing if 1) housing is restricted affordable housing, 2) subject to rent control, or 3) contains tenant occupied housing in the last three years.
• A local agency may impose objective zoning, subdivision and design review standards, providing such objective standards do not preclude the construction of either of the two units being less than 800 square feet in floor area.
• No setbacks are required for an existing structure or a structure constructed in the same location and to the same dimensions as an existing structure. In other circumstances, the local agency may require four-foot side and rear yard setbacks.
• Parking of no more than one space per dwelling unit is allowed, except no parking required for projects a) within a half-mile walking distance of a high-quality transit corridor or a major transit stop or b) within one block of car share.
• The rental of any unit created must be for a term longer than 30 days.
• A local agency may not be required to permit an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) or Junior ADU (JADU) in addition to the second unit if there is a lot split (see below).
Does your lot qualify for a Lot Split in Palmdale?
SB9 also allows qualifying lots to be split. These lot splits would be approved pursuant to a parcel map and many of the same factors for the two units described above. Additional factors include the following:
• Each parcel must be at least 40 percent of the original parcel’s size.
• Each parcel must be at least 1,200 square feet in lot size unless the local agency permits smaller lot size per ordinance.
• There cannot be a sequential lot split on the same parcel, nor can there be a lot split if the owner of the parcel being subdivided (or someone working in concert with that owner) has subdivided an adjacent parcel pursuant to this lot split legislation.
• No right-of-way dedication or off-site improvement may be required.
• The parcel must be limited to residential use.
• An affidavit that the applicant intends to use one of the housing units as a principal residence for at least three years from the date of approval is required.
• For each parcel created through this legislation, a local agency is not required to permit more than two dwelling units on a parcel.
Bottom Line on SB9 in Palmdale!
SB 9 is designed to increase the housing stock in single-family residential zones in Palmdale, as it allows not only two dwelling units per parcel, but also lot splits with two housing units on each parcel. “For too long local governments have limited the development of private property by home owners, but the new ADU laws and SB9 give homeowners control over their land and an opportunity to create extra living space for family members or as rental properties. This is a good time for home owners to build homes and create wealth for their families. We believe prefabricated construction is a good fit for these types of projects as we have faster permitting time and lees impact on surrounding properties” says Bill Cavanaugh , Founder of USModular Inc.
Contact USModular Inc to evaluate your property in Palmdale to see if it qualifies for an ADU or for SB9 lot split or duplex. www.usmodularinc.com 951 670 9907 info@usmodularinc.com
