One of the biggest obstacles to building new CA housing has now vanished
California lawmakers passed a landmark bill that exempts most urban infill housing projects from the California Environmental Quality Act, removing a major legal hurdle long blamed for slowing housing development. The change, backed by Governor Gavin Newsom, aims to streamline apartment construction in cities by eliminating time-consuming environmental reviews and lawsuits, though large developments and suburban projects still face restrictions. Supporters say the move could be a turning point in addressing the state’s housing crisis, though experts caution it may only ease rather than solve barriers to building.
