Senate Bill 330 (Gov. Code §§ 66300–66310) protects housing projects from mid-stream rule changes. Under § 66300(b)(1), development standards, fees, and procedures applicable to a housing project are locked as of the SB 330 preliminary application date under § 65941.1.
To file: submit project location, proposed uses, maximum units, square footage, parking proposed, preliminary title report, and environmental constraint identification. Cities cannot reduce allowable density, increase setbacks, or apply new fees after the preliminary application date.
The Five-Hearing Cap
The five-hearing cap under § 65905.5 limits total hearings before all bodies — planning commission, city council, design review, architectural review — to five. After the fifth hearing the city must approve or deny. No more continuances.
Works Alongside Other Statutes
SB 330 works alongside PSA (completeness and approval clocks), HAA (findings standard), and AB 130 (ministerial PSA framework). A well-pleaded writ petition can allege all three violations simultaneously.
Related California Housing Enforcement Laws:
Permit Streamlining Act | Housing Accountability Act | California ADU Rights | Builder’s Remedy
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