Legal battles over California’s “builder’s remedy” law intensify as courts rule in favor of developers

Title: Legal Battles Over California’s “Builder’s Remedy” Law Heat Up in Court

In a recent series of court rulings in Los Angeles County, developers are gaining ground in the ongoing legal battle over California’s “builder’s remedy” law. This law allows developers to build housing projects that do not comply with local zoning rules in cities without state-approved housing plans.

The rulings have favored developers in two out of three cases, with the third case resulting in a split decision regarding projects in California’s protected Coastal Zone. The law, which has been in place since 1990, has seen a surge in applications in recent years due to a backlog of unapproved housing plans in many cities.

Developers are seizing the opportunity to propose projects that cities would otherwise not approve, leading to a clash between developers and city officials. Some cities are accommodating these applications, while others are dragging their feet or outright denying them.

The recent court rulings have shed light on the complexities of the law, with disputes over when a housing plan is considered in compliance and the process for approvals. The rulings have implications for other applicants seeking to utilize the builder’s remedy provision.

As the legal battles continue to unfold, proposed bills in Sacramento aim to clarify and regulate the builder’s remedy law. Land-use attorneys caution that it is still too early to predict the outcome of these lawsuits, but the recent rulings may have a significant impact on future applications.

Overall, the legal tug-of-war over the builder’s remedy law is intensifying, with developers and cities at odds over the interpretation and implementation of the law. The outcome of these legal battles will have far-reaching implications for housing development in California.