AB 1485 Summary

• Authorizes streamlined, ministerial approval for multifamily housing developments meeting objective planning standards until January 1, 2026, without conditional use permits.

• Modifies affordability requirements for San Francisco Bay Area projects to allow 20% of units at 120% of area median income (with average at 100% AMI) instead of 10% at 80% AMI, with rent capped at 30% of gross income.

• Excludes underground space (basements, parking garages) from residential use percentage calculations and clarifies that developments are consistent with standards if substantial evidence supports compliance.

• Exempts California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review for state agencies and BART actions involving land leasing, conveyance, or financial assistance for qualifying affordable housing developments.

• Requires local governments to issue subsequent permits without imposing procedures different from non-streamlined projects and prohibits adding requirements based solely on a project's streamlined approval eligibility.