California has taken a significant step to make small-lot home development more accessible by introducing a streamlined 60-day approval process for subdivisions of up to 10 homes on eligible infill sites—provided all requirements are met. For those of us committed to helping buyers find their footing in the market, this shift is promising: projects that qualify can now bypass both environmental review and public hearings, cutting through much of the red tape that often slows progress.
In multifamily zones, each new small lot must be at least 600 square feet, with an average net habitable floor space capped at 1,750 square feet. For the 10-unit limit, multifamily areas exclude ADUs and JADUs, while in single-family zones, only JADUs are excluded. Los Angeles set the pace for this approach years ago with its own ordinance, encouraging more compact, ownership-oriented housing options.
While the law's intent is to broaden homeownership opportunities (a mission close to my heart), there’s still some debate about whether these homes truly serve as accessible starter options. More recently, further changes have opened up vacant single-family lots for redevelopment, keeping the momentum going. As someone who embraces innovative strategies for every property, I see these updates as fresh opportunities for buyers and sellers alike.
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