Streamlined housing approvals: objective standards: review and modifications

Developers can modify qualifying streamlined projects under the standards in place when the original application or notice of intent was filed. The law also prevents litigation-related approval extensions from being limited to the first modification request.

What the law does ​

• Requires local governments to approve a project modification that complies with the objective zoning, subdivision, and design-review standards in effect when the original application or notice of intent was submitted.
• Requires local governments to assess later modifications using the same assumptions and analytical method used for the original approval or a prior modification.
• Bars local governments from denying a modification based on Department of Housing and Community Development guidelines adopted or amended after the project received streamlined approval.
• Extends a project approval during litigation over any modification request, rather than only litigation over the first modification request.
• Applies these statewide rules to charter cities as well as other cities and counties.

Who it affects ​

• Developers of multifamily projects approved through California's streamlined ministerial housing process.
• Cities and counties reviewing modifications to those approved housing projects.
• Residents seeking housing in projects whose approved plans need changes before final building permits are issued.

Context ​

The streamlined approval law remains in effect until January 1, 2036.