SB 9 – HOME Act
WHAT IS SENATE BILL (SB) 9?
Senate Bill (SB) 9 (Chapter 162, Statutes of 2021) provides for a ministerial approval process for a housing development that meets specific requirements in a single family zone. SB 9 facilitates the creation of up to TWO primary dwelling units in the lot area typically used for one single-family home and/or the subdivision of one single family parcel into two. SB 9 also contains additional eligibility criteria addressing environmental site constraints (e.g., wetlands, wildfire risk, etc.), anti-displacement measures for renters and low-income households, and the protection of historic structures and districts.
Please refer to the SB 9 Handout and Checklist below for more details.
WHAT ZONING IS ELIGIBLE FOR SB 9?
SB 9 is only applicable to parcels within the R-LD Single-Family Residential Zone.
HOW TO APPLY FOR SB 9?
STEP 1: Applicant shall submit the completed SB 9 application packet (including but not limited to: SB 9 checklist, SB 9 owner affidavit, SB 9 tenancy affidavit, project plans, grant deed) for a preliminary review. The Planning Division may request additional items from the applicant to assist with the project review. A tentative parcel map will be required upon submittal if an urban lot split is proposed.
STEP 2: After the completion of the SB 9 preliminary review with Planning, the applicant will be advised to notarize the owner and tenancy affidavits (if applicable to project) prior to submitting to the Building Division for building permit.
STEP 3: The applicant shall submit the approved SB 9 project packet to the Building Division as part of the Building Permit application. It is highly recommended that applicants speak with the Building Division to check for the required submittal document prior to building permit submittal.
QUESTIONS?
For additional information regarding SB 9, please visit cityofepa.org/planning. If you need assistance in determining if your lot can utilize SB 9 for development of additional units or a lot split, please contact the Planning Division at planning@cityofepa.org, or by calling 650-853-3189.
Supporting Documents
SB 9 Owner Affidavit (267 KB) SB 9 Handout (355 KB) SB 9 Prior Tenancy Affidavit (187 KB) SB 9 Urban Lot Split Application (271 KB) 
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.