Senate Bill 684 Sets 60-Day Clock to Triple Small-Lot Housing Numbers in Los Angeles

California Senate Bill 684, formally known as the Starter Home Revitalization Act, has introduced a new legal framework for housing construction across the state. Effective July 2024, the legislation establishes a streamlined approval path for specific small-lot projects located on eligible urban infill sites. The new statute creates a mandatory 60-day ministerial approval process for subdivisions containing up to 10 housing units.

For proposals that successfully meet the law's criteria, the approval process bypasses environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act and eliminates the need for public hearings. This shift in procedure is intended to reduce bureaucratic delays. Under the standards provided by Los Angeles City Planning, newly created small lots in multifamily zones must possess a minimum area of 600 square feet. Additionally, the total floor space across all units cannot average more than 1,750 net habitable square feet. The law includes specific exclusions for ADUs and JADUs in multifamily zones while treating single-family zones differently regarding these accessory dwelling units.

The implementation of this policy varies across the city. West Adams, a neighborhood characterized by preserved older architecture, serves as a primary area of focus for these developments. Similar proposals have emerged in other parts of Los Angeles. Hoodline has reported on a Mid-City proposal to replace a 1930s home on Point View Street with six small-lot townhomes. Another filing has been noted for six small-lot homes proposed on Randolph Avenue in El Sereno.