California's Senate Bill 50

California is desperately in need of more housing. Home prices are the highest in the continental United States, and population growth continues to outstrip construction. A 2016 study by the McKinsey Global Institute estimated California needs 3.5 million more homes by 2025 — as much as the other 49 states combined. At the present pace of construction, California will add one million units over that period.

The most promising proposal to supercharge construction is California Senate Bill 50, which would force local governments to allow higher-density development in areas close to transit and jobs. On Wednesday, the legislation cleared a major hurdle, winning the approval of a State Senate committee.

The legislation would rewrite the ground rules for California’s urban and suburban landscape, much of which is zoned for single-family housing or other forms of low-density development. The most dramatic change would require populous counties and cities to allow mid-rise apartment buildings around rail stations. It would also place limits on the parking requirements often used to prevent such development.

The legislation would permit a smaller increase in residential density along high-frequency bus lines and around job centers.

Finally, it would allow smaller, four-unit apartment buildings — known as “fourplexes” — throughout the state.

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