L.A. Planning Department Begins Work on Mapping for SB 79 Rollout
Los Angeles has taken its first formal steps toward complying with SB 79, the state’s new mandate requiring cities to allow denser housing near major transit routes.
The City Council voted unanimously this week to approve a series of actions that authorize staff to begin detailed mapping and modeling tied to the law, the Los Angeles Daily News reported. SB 79, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in October, takes effect July 1 and directs cities to permit mid- to high-density residential development within a half-mile of certain rail stations and major bus corridors. Roughly 150 sites across Los Angeles could fall under its requirements.
To begin the compliance process, the Department of City Planning will acquire software and technical services to visualize where SB 79’s new height and density rules might apply. The City Administrative Officer has also been instructed to identify up to $375,000 in General Fund dollars to support the citywide analysis.
Officials say the mapping work will help determine which neighborhoods could qualify for a delayed rollout of the law and where a customized alternative plan might shift density to different areas while preserving overall housing capacity.
SB 79 allows two pathways for implementation. One, known as “delay in effectuation,” gives cities limited ability to postpone the law in areas that meet certain criteria. The second option, the “transit-oriented development alternative plan,” or Alt Plan, permits cities to relocate density so long as the total amount of potential housing is not reduced.
Low-density neighborhoods with strong access to jobs and schools are expected to be unlikely candidates for delay, while Alt Plans require identifying other locations to absorb any lost capacity when developers opt for smaller projects.
City planners aim to present initial results early next year. Any proposed delay ordinances or Alt Plans must be submitted to the state Department of Housing and Community Development during the first quarter of 2025 to be in place before SB 79 becomes active in July.