May 19: Council to consider SB 9 ordinance

The City Council on May 19 is scheduled to accept Coastal Commission modifications to implementation regulations tied to Senate Bill 9.

SB 9 is the State law that provides for staff level approval of lot splits and multiple units on property zoned for a single dwelling - all without a public hearing.

In its review of Del Mar's SB 9 ordinance from June 2023, the Coastal Commission upheld several key components important to Del Mar, including limitations on height, size, setbacks, parking and objective design standards.

Del Mar must accept the modifications as it moves toward final approval of amendments to its State-certified Local Coastal Program.

Final certification of the SB 9 ordinance is critical for Del Mar to remain compliant with State housing law. Following introduction on May 19, the ordinance will be considered for adoption on June 2 before taking effect in July.

The Legislature enacted SB 9 in January 2022 in response to the housing crisis. The law allows qualifying properties to be developed with up to four units on lots zoned for a single dwelling unit.

Under SB 9, developers can alternatively subdivide a lot zoned for one dwelling lot into two parcels to accommodate up to two residential structures on each new parcel. Del Mar's ordinance would require at least one of the units in a SB 9 project to be deed restricted for rent to a low-income household for 55 years.

Open SB 9 webpage