Why Karen Bass, LA leaders oppose new housing bill SB 79 – NBC Los Angeles

Starting July 2026, California’s largest metropolitan areas will be allowed to build more homes and apartment buildings up to six stories tall, especially near transit stops, and in neighborhoods that are currently classified as single-family zones.

Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 79 into law to expedite the construction of affordable housing by accelerating the housing permitting and inspection time and by overriding local restrictions and possible objections of neighbors in the spirit of “YIMBY” or “Yes, in my backyard.”

Supporters of SB 79 have said having affordable housing units within a mile of bus or subway transit spots will allow working-class Californians to safely commute to and from work. 

“All Californians deserve an affordable place to live – close to jobs, schools and opportunities,” Gov. Newsom said in a statement. “Housing near transit means shorter committed, lower costs and more time with family.”

But in a rare dissent from Newsom’s leadership, Los Angeles city and county officials have vehemently opposed SB79, calling it an effort to “hijack” local planning.

The Los Angeles City Council in August passed a resolution to formally oppose the bill in a 8-to-5 vote. It was later approved by Mayor Karen Bass.

Councilmembers Traci Park and John Lee co-introduced the resolution as they represented districts with single-family communities, such as the Pacific Palisades and Porter Ranch.

“(The state is) stripping away neighborhood voices, ignoring safety and infrastructure, and handing the keys to corporate developers,” said Councilmember Traci Park Park when introducing the resolution. 

“The people of Los Angeles deserve to have a say in how their city grows,” Lee said, adding his district constituents have spent years to map out their community.

Mayor Karen Bass, who had urged Newsom to veto SB79, said while she supported the idea of accelerating housing development, the new law would “erode local control, diminish community input on planning and zoning and disproportionately impact low-resource neighborhoods.”

Assemblymember Rick Chavez-Zbur, who represents Santa Monica and Beverly Hills, said the new law will not work for his constituents. 

“For many Californians, living in a single-family neighborhood fulfills a lifelong dream — the American Dream,” Chavez-Zbur said.

When the law goes into effect, it will likely have more impact on counties with passenger rail stations, such as Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego.