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Everything You Need to Know About SB-684 Development in Unincorporated San Diego County
Starting July 1, 2024, Unincorporated San Diego County will need to follow a new law, SB-684, for housing projects. This law was created to make it easier to build more homes on smaller properties, speed up the approval process, and allow developers to delay some fees until construction is done or people can move in. Part of a nationwide effort to create more housing options, SB-684 aims to quickly approve projects with up to 10 homes on urban lots under 5 acres.
What is SB-684 and how does it affect properties in Unincorporated San Diego County?
SB-684 is a new law in California that makes it easier and faster to approve smaller housing projects. It allows up to 10 homes to be built on urban properties that are less than 5 acres. Local officials have 60 days to approve these projects, without the need for public hearings or lengthy reviews. The law also removes California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements, making the approval process quicker.
What can homeowners build under SB-684 in Unincorporated San Diego County?
What are the lot limitations under SB-684?
SB-684 allows properties to be as large as 5 acres. If the property is divided into smaller lots, each new lot should be at least 600 square feet.
What is the size limitation for the new units?
In Unincorporated San Diego County, homes built under this law can be up to 1,750 square feet in size.
What are the setbacks?
Setbacks should be at least 4 feet from the side and rear property boundaries.
What is the parking requirement under SB-684?
Each home requires one parking space in Unincorporated San Diego County unless it is within half a mile of major transit hubs or well-served public transportation areas.
How many units can you have on your property following SB-684 restrictions?
Who and which properties qualify for SB-684?
Which zoning districts are eligible for SB-684?
In Unincorporated San Diego County, SB-684 applies to zones where multi-family housing is allowed, as well as to vacant lots in areas designated for single-family homes.
How Does SB-1123 or Senate Bill 1123 Impact SB-684?
SB-1123 expands SB-684 by allowing up to 10 homes on vacant lots within single-family zones, especially if they're near essential community services. This change is intended to increase affordable housing and promote homeownership where options are limited.
Do the environmental requirements or overlays on the lot restrict the property development under SB-684?
Yes, certain environmental conditions can limit development. Properties with hazardous waste, wetlands, or important farmland generally cannot be developed unless they meet strict safety standards. Land protected for conservation or as wildlife habitats is typically off-limits.
Can you build in high-risk CEQA zones?
It depends. Construction is allowed in high-risk CEQA zones if specific rules are met:
- No building in areas with extreme fire risk.
- Building on earthquake fault lines requires safety measures.
- Projects in flood zones should follow federal safety guidelines.
- Developments in floodways need no-rise certification to avoid increasing flood risks.
Is it allowed to demolish an affordable unit?
No, SB-684 protects affordable housing units from demolition in Unincorporated San Diego County, ensuring these options remain available for low-income residents.
What are the restrictions on ownership and development after completing a project under SB-684?
Are the rights of current tenants protected?
Yes, existing tenants' rights are protected. New development projects cannot involve demolishing or altering:
(A) Housing that has rent or price controls set by Unincorporated San Diego County.
(B) Properties that have been rented out in the past 5 years, even if they’re currently vacant or were demolished before.
(C) Properties that removed rental units from the market under the Ellis Act in the past 15 years.
How do you get permits for a project under SB-684?
What type of permit applies to a development under SB-684?
SB-684 requires a "ministerial approval" permit, which allows local officials to approve projects quickly based on straightforward rules, without public hearings or lengthy reviews. If a project meets specific requirements, like unit limits and zoning rules, it can be approved more easily.
What are objective standards?
Objective standards are clear, simple guidelines set by local governments for building homes. These cover zoning, minimum lot sizes, and design, helping developers meet density objectives without needing different requirements like additional setbacks or parking.
How much does the permit cost?
The cost of permits for Planning and Building depends on the project’s lot size and number of units. As of May 20, 2024, SB-937 lets developers delay some fees until they get an occupancy certificate, reducing up-front costs and helping keep projects affordable.
What are the steps to get the permits?
To get permits under SB-684 in Unincorporated San Diego County, here’s the process:
1. Check Eligibility. Confirm that your property is in the correct zone, is less than 5 acres, and meets all required criteria.
Check zoning eligibility for your property instantly.
2. Submit a Tentative Map Application. Submit your tentative map application, specifying that it is for an SB-684 project.
3. Review Process. Local officials in Unincorporated San Diego County will review your application within 60 days. If they deny it, they will give feedback. If there is no response within that time, your application is automatically approved.
4. Request Final Map Approval. After getting approval for the tentative map, apply for final map approval.
5. Apply for Building Permits. You can apply for building permits even before the final map is officially recorded, as long as certain conditions are met.
6. Complete Requirements. Meet all necessary conditions, then record the final map to finish the subdivision process.
How fast can a project be completed under SB-684?
This information outlines the different phases of the project along with their respective durations.
Feasibility Study with deciding the final scope of the project:
- Maximum of 3 days using CityStructure Analysis
Secure Financing: 2 to 3 weeks
Hiring the Team: 2 weeks
Design Process:
- Schematic Design: 1-2 months
- Permit Set / Design Development Drawing Set: 2-3 months
- Construction Drawing Set: 2-3 months
Entitlements and Building Permits: 9 to 15 months with the possibility of extending further due to departmental backlogs
Construction:
- Single Family House/Duplex: 1 year
- Multifamily: 2 years
How does SB-684 compare with SB-9 in Unincorporated San Diego County?
This table gives a side-by-side comparison of SB-684 and SB-9 in Unincorporated San Diego County, showing how each law affects things like unit sizes, required setbacks, lot sizes, density, and the areas where development is allowed. It helps clarify their different impacts on local building projects.
Apply SB-684 rules to your property to see what you can build, the cost, and return.
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