SB 684/SB 1123 – Small Lot Subdivision and Housing Development
WHAT ARE SENATE BILLS 684 and 1123?
Senate Bill 684 (SB 684), signed into law in 2023, aims to simplify the approval process for small lot subdivisions and housing developments by requiring local agencies to consider parcel maps or tentative and final maps ministerially without discretionary review or a hearing. It applies to projects with 10 or fewer parcels and housing developments with 10 or fewer residential units on urban infill sites under 5 acres, aiming to expedite the process and promote homeownership opportunities. Effective on July 1, 2024.
Senate Bill 1123 (SB 1123), signed into law in 2024, expands on SB 684 by allowing the streamlined approval process for small lot subdivisions to apply to vacant lots in single-family zones. This bill aims to create more affordable homeownership opportunities by making it legal to build up to 10 homes on these lots, provided they meet specific criteria such as being located near jobs, schools, transit, and other amenities. Effective on July 1, 2025.
WHAT KIND OF LOTS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR SB 684 and 1123?
The lot proposed to be subdivided shall meet all of the following sets of requirements:
(A) The lot is one of the following:
- Zoned to allow multifamily residential dwelling use.
- Vacant and zoned for single-family residential development. "Vacant" means having no permanent structure, unless the permanent structure is abandoned and uninhabitable.
(B) (i) A lot zoned to allow multifamily residential dwelling use is no larger than five acres and is substantially surrounded by qualified urban uses. (ii) A vacant lot zoned for single-family residential development is no larger than one and one-half acres and is substantially surrounded by qualified urban uses.
Newly created parcels in multifamily residential dwelling zones cannot be smaller than 600 square feet. If the parcels are zoned for single-family residential use, the newly created parcels cannot be smaller than 1,200 square feet.
QUESTIONS?
For additional information regarding the senate bills, please visit cityofepa.org/planning. If you need assistance in determining if your lot can utilize SB 684/1123 for development of additional units or small lot subdivisions, please contact the Planning Division at planning@cityofepa.org, or by calling 650-853-3189.
Contact Information
1960 Tate Street
East Palo Alto, CA 94303
Ph: 650-853-3189
Email: planning@cityofepa.org
Counter Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 9:00am - 3:45pm (Closed 12:00pm - 1:00pm) Wednesday and Friday virtually and by appointment only
(Please note in order to allow for processing time, the last walk-ins for service are at 11:45 am and 3:45 pm)
Counter staff will be available virtually and by appointment only on Wednesday and Fridays. Staff can be reached at any time and appointments can be made by emailing staff at planning@cityofepa.org or via this link. Planning staff will continue to respond to emails by the following day or the following Monday for inquiries received on Friday.
In the case of more urgent issues or questions tied directly to an existing project, please contact the project planner or call the mainline (650-853-3189) to be routed to the project planner. We thank you for your patience and understanding.
Note: Please drop off all payments/checks attached with relevant application forms in addition to emailing us a copy. Application forms must be attached. Checks without forms attached will not be processed.
All payment for projects will be required to be paid by a check made out to "City of East Palo Alto"
This check will be attached to the planning permit application form and dropped off at a no-contact Drop Box at the address listed above.