By Lookout Staff

July 8, 2025 -- A bill to boost housing near transit stops continued to move through the State legislature last week after winning easy approval by a key Assembly Committee.

SB 79, which is backed by the City Council, was approved 9 to 1 by the Housing Committee on Thursday after clearing the Senate last month. It now heads to the Assembly Local Government Committee.

“The disaster of our housing shortage demands powerful solutions, and today’s vote is a step toward providing one,” said the bill's sponsor Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco).

The bill allows new residential buildings of up to seven stories near major transit stops, which applies to most of Santa Monica's 8.3 square miles ("Bill to Boost Housing Near Transit Gets Council Backing," May 13, 2025).

The latest version of the bill incorporates changes suggested by the West Hollywood and Santa Monica city councils, which voted to back the bill opposed by the other 89 California cities that have weighed in.

With Wiener's agreement, the Housing Committee amended the bill "to boost affordability requirements, clarify that local displacement protections apply to SB 79 projects, and strengthen demolition restrictions," according Wiener's office.

The amendments also establish minimum density requirements for projects built under SB 79.

Wiener had already amended the bill in the Senate Appropriations committee to "allow local jurisdictions more flexibility in where to put the increased density," among other changes, his office said.

If enacted, SB 79 would establish State zoning standards around train stations and major bus stops, allowing multi-family buildings of up to seven stories near major transit stops.

The height limits would gradually decrease to four stories "with lower height standards extending up to half a mile away from such stops," according to Wiener's office.

The bill also "streamlines permitting" for housing built within half a mile of major public transit stops and allows local transit agencies "to develop at the same or greater density on land they own."

City staff noted the bill "has the potential to increase housing production, at a faster pace, and for less cost," meeting the goals of the State Legislative platform adopted by the new pro-housing Council.

The bill's effect would be mainly felt in Santa Monica's residential zoning districts, which currently have density limitations that are significantly lower than those proposed by SB 79, staff said.