As the housing shortage crisis kept on worsening in California due to numerous factors like unemployment, high population rates, and an expensive housing market, the state’s legislature has passed in recent years many new housing laws intended to somewhat alleviate the situation. But this year in particular, the global health crisis we are experiencing has slowed down lawmaker’s efforts to support and promote housing production.
But although 2020 was a very difficult year to encourage laws aimed at expanding housing production and easing construction regulations, significant legislations have been enacted that directly affect entitlement processing, tenant evictions and density bonuses. If you want to take a closer look at the new housing laws that took effect on January 1, 2021, keep reading.
COVID-19 Responses (AB 3088): the first of the bunch to be signed into law by gov. Gavin Newsom, sets up eviction protections for both tenants and owners who are struggling financially as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The bill also redefines the regulations ruling the residential eviction process. Independently, AB 1561 will put into effect an unvarying statewide extension on housing rights during the next 18 months to address the pandemic recession.
Density (AB 2345): this law reviews a number of provisions of the State Density Bonus Law to make available additional entitlement benefits for projects that qualify as affordable housing. Depending on your local regulations in your county, this may include Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).
Simplifying Housing Approvals: various modest reforms were established to streamline different housing approval processes. These include encouraging the development of places of worship in parking lots, requiring homeowners associations (OHA) to allow the rental of houses, and amend SB 35’s streamlined ministerial approval process.
Accessory Dwelling Units (AB 3182): on the bright side, this bill sets a “deemed approved” position for all ADU applications, on the other side, not so bright, the governor rejected another bill that would have attended the reduced construction loan market available to people looking to build an ADU by starting a program designed to help homeowners to be eligible for construction loans.
The demand for ADUs is undeniably on the rise, and having an ADU in your backyard is something to be proud of now, but getting it right is equally important. Do you want to know more about ADU Construction in Los Angeles? Reach out for a free consultation.
