Assemblymember Buffy Wicks has introduced Assembly Bill 1893 (“AB 1893”) to “modernize” the so-called “Builder’s Remedy” that allows projects with enough affordable units to bypass local zoning requirements when a […]
Board of Supervisors Downzones Historic Districts Over Mayor’s Veto
Last week, the Board of Supervisors voted to override Mayor London Breed’s veto and passed legislation that will effectively downzone certain historic districts in the C-2 zoning district. According to […]
Voters Approve Mayor’s Transfer Tax Exemption
The Mayor’s proposal to waive San Francisco’s Transfer Tax for certain converted residential space (“Measure C”) was approved by voters on March 5, according to the City of San Francisco’s […]
Legal Victories for CEQA Streamlining
Earlier this month, the California Court of Appeal ruled that a qualifying development project in San Diego County could use the County’s General Plan Environmental Impact Report (“EIR”) to streamline […]
Courts Draw New Boundaries in Property Line Cases
Two recent California court decisions, involving all-too-common neighbor disputes, have provided new guidance concerning easements and property ownership. In Romero v. Shih (S275023 [2024]), the California Supreme Court ruled that […]
Expanding Housing Choice: SF Finalizes Draft Rezoning Proposal
The San Francisco Planning Department has released more details on its Expanding Housing Choice Program, a citywide rezoning that will primarily target the city’s westside. The rezoning proposal originates in […]
The Basics: Are you really covered as an additional insured?
Leases, construction contracts, easement agreements, and other contracts often require one party to name the other as an “additional insured” under its liability insurance policy. The insuring party often provides […]
Leases V. Licenses and Eviction Rights
The question has been previously raised – is a lease the same as a license – in that does the underlying occupant/user acquire tenancy rights by such occupation regardless of […]
New State Condo Law Allows Reduced HOA Assessments for Designated Affordable Units
We are following up on a previous update where we discussed Assembly Bill 572. After undergoing a few amendments in the State legislature, the Bill passed and became effective January […]
Ninth Circuit Overturns Natural Gas Ban
Can cities and states really ban natural gas hookups? On January 2, 2024, the Ninth Circuit handed down a decision in California Restaurant Association v. City of Berkeley finding that […]
