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Legal Digest
Constitutionality of SB 9 Will Be Reconsidered
A few months ago, a Los Angeles judge ruled – in a fairly technical opinion – that SB 9, the lot-split law, is unconstitutional for charter cities.

William Fulton
Nov 16, 2025
Santa Barbara Developer Sues in Federal Court, Claiming It Is Singled Out By New State Law
SB 158, which lifts the CEQA exemption for some projects, apparently applies only to one project in the entire state: a proposed eight-story apartment building behind the iconic Santa Barbara Mission.

William Fulton
Nov 9, 2025
Ruling: Long Beach CEQA Exemption Didn't Protect School
Appellate court concludes city should not have exempted car wash, which could lead to more Benzene emissions near school playground

William Fulton
Nov 2, 2025
Judge Kicks Out Challenge To La Jolla Cityhood On Anti-SLAPP Grounds
Proponents request for a second review of signatures for ballot is deemed a protected free speech activity and the judge granted an anti-SLAPP motion against the City of San Diego

William Fulton
Oct 27, 2025
Back To The EIR Drawing Board on San Diego's Midway Project
The city has won two ballot measures to raise the height limit around its longtime sports arena. Now, for the second time, an appellate court has struck down the associated environmental analysis -- and the ballot measure.

William Fulton
Oct 20, 2025
Livermore Referendum Won't Go Forward
Reversing lower court, appellate justices say city acted properly in repealing previous approval and limiting new approval to administrative actions.

William Fulton
Oct 19, 2025
San Diego Wins Post-Sheetz Case
In an unpublished ruling, court concludes that city can spend impact fee funds anywhere in the city.

William Fulton
Oct 12, 2025
Another Housing Element Overlay Zone Bites The Dust
Redondo Beach's residential overlay on commercial and industrial land doesn't meet legal requirements for a housing element site because there's no guarantee housing will be built, court says.

William Fulton
Oct 12, 2025


Roseville Shopping Center Survives Challenge To Infill Exemption
Deletion of fast-food restaurant with drive-through was enough to persuade an appellate court to issue an unpublished ruling in the city's favor.

William Fulton
Oct 6, 2025
Is "Complying with" A General Plan The Same As Being "Consistent With" It?
In a mobile home case from Jurupa Valley, an appellate court seemingly suggests that if a municipal code does not require strict compliance with a general plan, a GP amendment is not necessary.

William Fulton
Sep 30, 2025
Under Pressure From State, Norwalk Repeals Ban On Shelters
As part of a legal settlement with the state, the city repealed a moratorium and also agreed to greater oversight by HCD.

William Fulton
Sep 20, 2025
Huntington Beach Must Adopt Housing Element Soon
Appellate court rules that 120-day shot clock applies even though Huntington Beach is a charter city.

William Fulton
Sep 15, 2025
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