California To Enforce Affordable Housing Development Through Civil Penalties Against Local Governments That Delay Or Deny Approvals

On September 19, 2024, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation to give the state Attorney General more power to force local governments to comply with state requirements to develop affordable housing. Starting January 1, 2025, local governments that delay or deny approvals for affordable housing projects could be subject to civil financial penalties of at least $10,000 per month, and not exceeding $50,000 per month, for each violation. The additional penalties will be used to fund local affordable housing.

California Senate Bill (SB) 1037 allows the Attorney General to impose remedies on local governments that violate the state . . .