California State Supreme Court Upholds Inclusionary Zoning Laws

The California Building Industry Association (BIA) had taken its case to the State Supreme Court, but in the end the court decided that municipalities could require developers to set aide a portion of units for affordable housing.

1 minute read

June 15, 2015, 2:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


San Jose, California

Matt Tilghman / Shutterstock

"The California Supreme Court decided unanimously Monday that cities and counties may require developers to provide below-market-rate housing as a condition of a building permit," reports Maura Dolan.

"The decision is expected to make it easier for Los Angeles and other cities with housing shortages to force developers to build or pay for affordable housing."

The court case followed an affordable housing ordinance passed in San Jose five years ago, though nearly 200 cities and counties have some version of the law. The ruling in California Building Industry Association v. City of San Jose is also available online [pdf].

Monday, June 15, 2015 in Los Angeles Times

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