Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed state Senate Bill 79 , the controversial legislation that overrides local zoning rules and allows mid-rise apartments and condo buildings several stories tall to be built near public transit stations – including in neighborhoods zoned for single-family homes.

The Abundant and Affordable Homes Near Transit Act, as SB 79 is called, applies only to certain “urban transit counties” with heavier or more frequent transit services such as trains and rapid bus lines. That means the law will apply to Los Angeles and Orange counties but not the Inland Empire.

Pro-housing advocates say SB 79, which will take effect July 1, 2026, is critical to addressing California’s housing and affordability crises . It also encourages people to use public transit , a more envi

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