CA SB166

Prohibits cities, counties, or city and counties from permitting actions that make their housing element site inventory insufficient to meet the remaining unmet share of regional housing need for lower and moderate-income households.

Requires written findings supported by substantial evidence before allowing development at lower residential density, including quantification of remaining unmet housing need by income level and remaining site capacity.

Requires jurisdictions to identify and make available additional adequate sites within 180 days if a development approval results in fewer units by income category than identified in the housing element and remaining sites are inadequate.

Expands the definition of "lower residential density" to 80 percent of maximum allowable density if a jurisdiction has not adopted a compliant housing element within specified deadlines.

Exempts actions to identify and make available additional housing sites from California Environmental Quality Act requirements to analyze and mitigate environmental impacts.