The City Council unanimously introduced an ordinance approving interim Zoning Code amendments to implement Senate Bill 79, the Abundant and Affordable Homes Near Transit Act, with the condition that the ordinance will not take effect until SB 79 goes into effect. The California law is scheduled for July 1, 2026.
‘Senate Bill 79’ establishes new development standards for certain transit-oriented housing projects within a half-mile of qualifying transit stops. Culver City is expected to be affected by four Tier 2 transit locations, with standards varying based on distance from each stop.
The interim ordinance from the city creates local standards for qualifying projects while the City continues work on a longer-term Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Alternative Plan.
That legislation is intended to concentrate density along major transit corridors, rather than applying density uniformly across affected areas.
Council discussion focused on potential impacts to traditionally Single Family Residential neighborhoods, the timing of development applications, pending SB 79 maps, interaction with SB 330, and whether existing local development standards could conflict with SB 79 requirements.
Council also requested additional analysis before the ordinance’s second reading on how existing Residential Medium Density standards may apply, and what process would be used to mitigate if conflicts arise.
The ordinance is intended as an interim step while the City develops its plan, and may take approximately six to ten months.
City of Culver City
