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Sacramento, CA – Senator Kelly Seyarto (R-Murrieta) is proud to announce that SB 233 which strengthens coordination between state and local governments in planning for future housing needs, has been signed into law.
Under SB 233, the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) must now meet with Councils of Governments (COGs) at least 38 months before a scheduled revision of a region’s housing plan, one year earlier than current law requires. This change gives cities, counties, and regional agencies more time to collaborate, assess local challenges, and develop realistic, and effective community-driven housing strategies.
“California’s housing process works best when there’s clear communication between the state and local governments,” said Senator Seyarto. “Ensuring that every region can plan responsibly to meet its housing needs starts with early coordination. SB 233 gives local jurisdictions the time and tools they need to craft housing plans that reflect the unique needs of their communities.”
The bill was introduced in response to challenges faced during the sixth housing element cycle, when HCD provided regional housing determinations just 26 months before the deadline, leaving limited time for local governments to comply. The compressed schedule contributed to widespread delays, with more than 100 jurisdictions missing their housing element deadlines and incurring fines.
SB 233 builds on recommendations from regional planning organizations, including the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), which called for an earlier start to the process to improve coordination and reduce administrative delays.
SB 233 received unanimous bipartisan support in the Legislature.