California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a notice of appeal today in an effort to overturn a judgment by the Los Angeles County Superior Court. The court's decision currently prevents the California Department of Justice from enforcing Senate Bill 9 (SB 9) against five charter cities, citing that it violates their state constitutional authority.
Senate Bill 9 mandates local agencies to provide a "ministerial," or streamlined, approval process for homeowners wishing to build a duplex on, or subdivide into two lots, a lot zoned for single-family homes.
"We firmly believe that SB 9 is constitutional as to every city in the state," stated Attorney General Bonta. "As the California Second District Court of Appeal recently held, ensuring housing availability and affordability in California is a matter of statewide importance. My office has vigorously defended the Legislature’s efforts to provide dignified housing to every Californian, and we will continue doing just that with SB 9."
The lawsuit challenging SB 9 was initially filed on March 29, 2022, by four Southern California cities: Redondo Beach, Carson, Torrance, and Whittier. The City of Del Mar joined the lawsuit on February 7, 2023.
A copy of the notice of appeal can be found here.