Agda Pkt 2026.07.13 Joint SA PFA

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4/8/26 3 • SB 79 does not include a ministerial review process or amend the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) itself, although qualifying SB 79 projects may use the ministerial review process under SB 35/SB 423, if otherwise eligible. SB 79 projects that are ineligible for streamlined approval are to be reviewed under the jurisdiction’s standard review process and the Housing Accountability Act (HAA). • SB 79 allows for some local flexibility. Cities and counties may exempt certain areas from the law, exclude certain sites from the law until the 7th Housing Element Cycle, or adopt their own local TOD alternative plan that provides the same overall housing capacity. Any such local measures must be reviewed and approved by the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). How to use this document: • Green indicates an “action item.” • Yellow indicates information that “impacts your job.” • Blue indicates information that is “good to know.” • Key terms are defined in the Key Definitions section. Wherever colors are used, the text is labeled for accessibility. When and Where SB 79 Applies The following provisions describe when and where SB 79 applies. • Effective Date. SB 79 applies beginning on July 1, 2026, except for unincorporated areas, where it will not apply until the 7th Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) cycle. (Section 65912.157(n)). Cities may adopt an ordinance exempting certain sites until one year after adoption of the 7th Cycle Housing Element. (Section 65912.161(b).) • Urban Transit Counties. SB 79 applies only in an “urban transit county,” which is defined as a county with more than 15 passenger rail stations. Although “passenger rail station” is not a defined term, legislative analysis suggests that eight California counties currently qualify as an urban transit county, including the Bay Area counties of San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Alameda, as well as the counties of Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Orange. (Section 65912.156(q)). • Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Zone. SB 79’s requirements apply only to housing development located within a TOD zone, defined as the area within one-half mile of a TOD stop. A TOD stop means a transit-oriented development stop served by heavy rail, commuter rail, light rail, or bus rapid transit (all defined in Key Definitions section), as well as certain planned stops that meet specified criteria (see the definition of TOD Stop in the Key Definitions section for further information). (Section 8.A. - Page 21 of 97 239