What are Senate Bills 684 and 1123?

SB 684, effective July 1, 2024, allows subdivisions of up to 10 parcels or housing developments of up to 10 residential units on lots in multi-family-zoned districts, and requires jurisdictions to process these projects ministerially, without discretionary review or a public hearing.

SB 1123, effective July 1, 2025, expands SB 684 by allowing the streamlined approval process for subdivisions up to 10 parcels and housing developments up to 10 residential units on vacant lots in single-family zones.

Which lots are eligible for SB 684 and SB 1123?

The lot proposed for subdivision must meet the following conditions:

• Multi-family residential zones: Zoned for multi-family residential, no larger than 5 acres, and substantially surrounded by urban uses. Parcels resulting from the subdivision cannot be smaller than 600 square feet.

OR

• Single-family residential zones: Vacant, zoned for single-family residential development, no larger than 1.5 acres, and substantially surrounded by other urban uses. "Vacant" means having no permanent structure, unless the permanent structure is abandoned and uninhabitable. Parcels resulting from subdivision cannot be smaller than 1,200 square feet.

Lots must meet additional criteria to be eligible:

• Must not have been created from a prior urban lot split.
• Must not include the demolition or alteration of any affordable housing or housing occupied by tenants within five years preceding the date of the application.
• Must not be located in the following areas:
  • A hazardous waste site, unless cleared by the State.
  • A flood hazard area or regulatory floodway, unless supported by FEMA documentation or a compliant design.
  • An earthquake fault zone, unless the project meets seismic building code requirements.
  • A designated natural habitat for protected, sensitive, or endangered species.
  • A high or very high fire hazard severity zone, as mapped by Cal Fire.
  • An area covered by a natural community conservation plan, habitat conservation plan, or conservation easement.

While lots located in the Coastal Zone may be eligible for SB 684/SB 1123 lot splits and housing developments, these new laws do not bypass the California Coastal Act and the County's Local Coastal Program. Therefore, such projects in the Coastal Zone would still be required to obtain a Coastal Development Permit and comply with public hearing requirements, and would not be eligible for the streamlined ministerial approvals.

SB 684/SB 1123 Application Status

Below are the complete SB 684/SB 1123 applications submitted to the County and their current status.  

Members of the public who have information related to an application under review are encouraged to submit it as soon as possible. Supplemental information related to a project's eligibility for streamlined review under SB 684/SB 1123 cannot be considered after project approval.

SB 684/SB 1123 Application Process

1. The applicant is encouraged to request an SB 684/1123 pre-application meeting with County staff to enable staff to review project compliance with state law criteria and identify any site planning items, policies, and procedures applicable to the proposed subdivision. Pre-application meetings are subject to a $400 fee (which can be credited towards fees for an associated subsequent formal application filed within 6 months of the pre-application). They may be requested online through Accela Citizen Access (ACA) under the Planning Pre-application option.
   
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2. Submit application via email.
3. Planner reviews the application for completeness. If the planner deems the application complete, the date of application submission is the "deemed complete date."
4. Complete applications are accepted and invoiced for permit fees.
5. The application pays assessed permit fees.
6. Applications are referred to the review agencies.
7. Review agency comments that are submitted.
8. The Planning and Building Department must issue a decision within 60 days of the deemed complete date. If the Department does not approve or deny a complete application within 60 days, the application is deemed approved.
9. Upon approval, the applicant can proceed to submit a Final Map and apply for building permits.

Application Checklist Materials

• SB 684 & SB 1123 Small Lot Housing Streamline Approval Eligibility Review Checklist
• SB 684/SB 1123 Occupancy of Existing Units Affidavit (if demolition or alteration of existing unit occurs)
• Tentative parcel map
• Siteplan
• Title report