City of Calabasas
Everything You Need to Know About SB-684 Development in Calabasas
SB-684 is a new law aimed at tackling California's housing shortage by making it easier to build homes in many parts of the state. However, Calabasas, a city in Los Angeles County, faces unique restrictions that prevent it from taking advantage of the benefits SB-684 provides.
What is SB-684?
SB-684 also known as Senate Bill 684 is designed to streamline the approval process for small housing projects in California. It simplifies the development of up to 10 units on urban lots under 5 acres by allowing local officials to make decisions within 60 days, without needing public hearings or discretionary reviews. It also waives some regulations like parts of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
However, this bill doesn’t apply to Calabasas because of the city’s zoning restrictions.
Why is SB-684 not applicable in Calabasas?
CityStructure contacted the city's planning department, and on August 28, 2024, Jaclyn Rackerby, Calabasas’ planner, clarified to the CityStructure team when we reached out to her, that
“The entire City of Calabasas is located in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ), and under SB-684, per Section 66499.41(a)(9) of the government code, lots to be subdivided pursuant to this bill must not be in a VHFHSZ. We don’t have a local ordinance, since it wouldn’t be applicable to any of the parcels in our City, because all lots here are in the VHFHSZ.”
This means that SB-684’s benefits do not extend to properties in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Since every lot in Calabasas falls within this category, the city cannot use SB-684 for subdivision projects. This restriction is due to state regulations that exclude high-fire-risk areas from the bill's provisions.
CalFire
Mayor Alicia Weintraub recently addressed the brush clearance notices sent to residents of Calabasas. Her letter clarified that the entire city is considered a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. The LA County Fire Department’s updated tracking system, which now more accurately identifies these high-risk areas, has resulted in new brush clearance notices for many residents.
She also noted that living in such a high-risk area has led to difficulties with insurance coverage, even for those who follow strict brush clearance guidelines. For more details, the city’s website offers information on the county and state brush clearance requirements.
SB-684 is not the only regulation that lets you add value to a property.
Related Articles
ADU Solutions for Aging in Place in Calabasas
All You Need to Know About Building on Properties in Calabasas Under SB-9
How to get your permits fast or the benefits of using SB-423 in Calabasas
How to Make My ADU a Profitable Investment in Calabasas?