CA AB609

Exempts housing development projects from CEQA requirements if they meet specific conditions: site is 20 acres or less, located within an incorporated municipality or Census-defined urban area, and previously developed with urban use or at least 75% of the perimeter adjoins urban-developed parcels

Requires projects to be consistent with the applicable general plan, zoning ordinance, and local coastal program, and to meet at least half of the density specified in state housing law

Mandates a phase I environmental assessment as a condition of approval; if environmental hazards are found, a preliminary endangerment assessment is required and any hazardous substance releases must be removed or mitigated before occupancy

Imposes specific requirements for housing within 500 feet of a freeway, including centralized HVAC systems with air intakes facing away from the freeway, air filtration with minimum efficiency reporting value of 16, and prohibition on balconies facing the freeway

Prohibits demolition of structures on national, state, or local historic registers and requires tribal cultural resource consultation for sites not previously developed with urban uses