San Diego Begins to See Results of State Housing Law

Homeowners in Southern California are starting to take advantage of a state law that allows lot splitting and higher density in residential areas in an effort to increase housing supply and affordability.

1 minute read

November 1, 2024, 7:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Small, colorful homes on small lot in San Diego, California.

Small homes in San Diego, California. | RebeccaDunnLevert / Adobe Stock

Three years after a law allowing lot splitting was passed in California, San Diego is starting to see its effects as homeowners sell off or build on previously unused parts of their properties. 

According to a KPBS article by Andrew Bowen, “SB 9, or the California HOME Act, allows homeowners to split their lots in two and build up to two homes on each parcel — even if local zoning restricts the property to a single detached house.” 

The bill’s passage in 2021 was considered a victory for housing advocates who want to lower barriers to building more housing, but cities and homeowner groups continue to fight the law in courts and through more creative means.

“It does take a while for the general public to know about the law, and for planning departments to adjust to state laws,” says Muhammad Alameldin, a policy associate at UC Berkeley's Terner Center for Housing Innovation. For the law to make an impact on the housing supply, builders who specialize in small-scale infill can help homeowners understand the process and access resources to lower the costs of construction, Bowen writes. Cities including Sacramento and Los Angeles are also working to eliminate barriers and reduce costs for homeowners in other ways, such as issuing pre-approved plans for accessory dwelling units (ADUs).  

Monday, October 28, 2024 in KPBS

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 23, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Floor-to-ceiling rotating gates at Fairmount subway station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Crime Continues to Drop on Philly, San Francisco Transit Systems

SEPTA and BART both saw significant declines in violent crime in the first quarter of 2025.

April 28 - Mass Transit

South LA Wetlands Park in Los Angeles, California.

How South LA Green Spaces Power Community Health and Hope

Green spaces like South L.A. Wetlands Park are helping South Los Angeles residents promote healthy lifestyles, build community, and advocate for improvements that reflect local needs in historically underserved neighborhoods.

April 28 - ABC 7 Eyewitness News

Intersection in downtown Sacramento, California with neoclassical building with columns on left.

Sacramento Plans ‘Quick-Build’ Road Safety Projects

The city wants to accelerate small-scale safety improvements that use low-cost equipment to make an impact at dangerous intersections.

April 28 - The Sacramento Bee