Summary

Phased implementation of S.B. 79 approved

San DiegoMay 8, 20261 min read

At a glance

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The City Council introduced Ordinance O-2026-124 Rev as amended to phase San Diego’s implementation of state law S.B. 79, creating exemptions for certain non-transit-oriented areas and delaying requirements in hazardous, historic, and sea-level-rise vulnerable areas until alternative plans or housing element milestones are met.

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City Council

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EnvironmentalHousing

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What this means

Council action begins a phased rollout of state law S.B. 79 in San Diego rather than applying it citywide immediately. Areas more than one mile walking distance to a transit-oriented development (TOD) stop will be exempt and mapped by the City Planning Department; locations in very high fire severity zones, sites with designated local historic resources, and sites vulnerable to one foot of sea level rise will only be required to follow S.B. 79 after an approved TOD Alternative Plan is adopted or by a specified housing element timeline. For residents, this means some neighborhoods will be temporarily exempt from the new TOD-related requirements while the city prepares maps and alternative plans.

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Introduced Ordinance O-2026-124 Rev (phasing implementation of S.B. 79) as amended.
Amendment 1: Remove Recital E and renumber remaining recitals.
Amendment 2: Delete all attachments to the Ordinance.
Amendment 3: Exempt areas the City identifies as having more than one mile walking path to a TOD stop (per the SANDAG map when released); these areas will be shown on a map prepared by the City Planning Department.
Amendment 4: Require sites in Very High Fire Severity Zones to implement S.B. 79 only upon adoption of a TOD Alternative Plan deemed compliant by the state Department of Forestry and Fire Protection or no later than one year after adoption of the seventh Housing Element revision, whichever is first.
Amendment 5: Require sites with local historic resource designation as of January 1, 2025, to implement S.B. 79 only upon adoption of a compliant TOD Alternative Plan or no later than one year after adoption of the seventh Housing Element revision, whichever is first.
Amendment 6: Require sites identified as vulnerable to one foot of sea level rise (per the City coastal hazards vulnerability assessment) to implement S.B. 79 only upon adoption of a compliant TOD Alternative Plan or no later than one year after adoption of the seventh Housing Element revision, whichever is first.
Vote/result reported as unanimous for the introduced-as-amended action.

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San Diego City Council - Special Agenda and Results Summary

May 8, 2026, 1:00 AMcompleted

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