California’s CEQA overhaul: Fast-tracking housing, halting building standards
Major reforms have been enacted to the California Environmental Quality Act, fast-tracking urban infill housing and other key projects by exempting them from lengthy environmental reviews. The legislation also freezes local and state residential building code updates for six years, drawing criticism from safety and environmental groups concerned about outdated standards. Supporters say the changes are critical to addressing the state’s housing crisis, while opponents warn they could compromise climate resilience and public safety.
