CA SB79

Housing developments of at least 5 units within one-half mile of transit stops must be allowed on any residential, mixed, or commercial zoned sites, with minimum density requirements of 30 dwelling units per acre and average unit sizes not exceeding 1,750 square feet

Height and density limits vary by proximity to transit: Tier 1 stops (heavy rail/very high frequency commuter rail) allow 75-foot heights and 120 units/acre within one-quarter mile; Tier 2 stops (light rail/high-frequency commuter/bus) allow 65-foot heights and 100 units/acre within one-quarter mile

Projects must include affordable housing—either 7% for extremely low income, 10% for very low income, or 13% for lower income households—with affordability restrictions of 55 years for rentals and 45 years for ownership units

Local governments denying qualifying projects in high-resource areas face presumed Housing Accountability Act violations and immediate penalties beginning January 1, 2027; provisions take effect July 1, 2026 for cities and during the 7th regional housing needs allocation cycle for unincorporated county areas

Transit agencies may adopt their own TOD zoning standards for agency-owned property, requiring 20% affordable units and 50% residential square footage, with those standards superseding conflicting local zoning after two years if localities don't conform