Press Release: YIMBY Law Wins Lawsuit Against City of Los Angeles Challenging Illegal Denial for Construction of Multi-Family Housing Project

Contact: Jae Garner

Los Angeles, CA— YIMBY Law has won a lawsuit at the Superior Court against the City of Los Angeles after the City repeatedly ignored the law by denying the construction of over  60 apartments. At issue is the city’s non-compliance with amendments to the Housing Accountability Act (HAA) made in 2018, which require cities to allow housing developments at the density in the General Plan, even if the zoning only allows lower densities. 

Akhilesh Jha, the project’s sponsor, proposed the 60+ unit building on a lot that allows multifamily homes in the city’s General Plan. The city’s current zoning, however, only allows for a single-family detached home as well as agricultural uses including “The keeping of equines, bovines, goats…poultry, fowl, rabbits, chinchillas and other small animals.” Despite compliance with the General Plan, which according to the HAA should have led to the project being approved without a zoning change, City officials denied the project, citing zoning laws as a primary barrier.

“It’s absurd that current zoning makes it easier to reserve space for chinchillas than it is to build homes for people,” said Sonja Trauss, Executive Director at YIMBY Law. “It’s time for Los Angeles to focus on addressing the housing affordability crisis. The result of this lawsuit will help make that happen.”

Recent changes in California’s housing law, including the 2018 amendments to the Housing Accountability Act, were passed to address the severe housing shortage throughout the state and to make it easier to build homes. Instead of following clear guidelines set in Los Angeles’ General Plan that would allow more homes and help address the housing shortage, the city discouraged this multi-family home project by incorrectly claiming that it would require a zoning change.

The Superior Court ruling comes as jurisdictions across California are updating their Housing Elements, which are a part of their General Plans. It sets the stage for strengthening Housing Elements which must comply with state requirements to meet local housing needs. Zoning plans often contradict Housing Elements, or fall short of providing density updates that are needed to address California’s growing population. Builders can now take full advantage of General Plan density provisions where cities lag behind in their zoning. 

The City of Los Angeles will have 60 days to comply with the Housing Accountability Act by approving the apartment project. 

“As housing elements are revised and implemented, this decision could pave the way for projects to move forward immediately, without waiting years for cities to complete their required rezonings,” said Rafa Sonnenfeld, director of legal advocacy at YIMBY Law. “YIMBY Law is eager to continue facilitating the implementation of state housing law to address California’s severe housing shortage.”

Press Release: YIMBY Law Sues City of Burbank Over Illegal Denial of New Housing Project

Contact: Jae Garner

Burbank, CA— Today YIMBY Law filed a lawsuit against the City of Burbank for illegally blocking a project compliant with state law SB 35. The lawsuit contests the Burbank City Council’s decision to deny a proposal for new construction of a 96-unit condominium project on a five-acre property known as Pickwick Gardens. According to the lawsuit, the City Council’s decision is at odds with state law SB 35 which streamlines the approval process for new homes when a city is not on track to meet state-mandated housing goals.

“There is no legal basis for the Burbank City Council to deny this proposed housing project. The Pickwick project meets all requirements under SB 35. YIMBY Law is looking forward to winning this case,” said Rafa Sonnenfeld, Director of Legal Advocacy at YIMBY Law.

Burbank’s City Planning Department reviewed the Pickwick Garden project’s pre-application and determined that it met all necessary requirements under SB 35. The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) also found that the project qualified under the law. Despite these analyses, both the Burbank City Council and Burbank residents called for the project to be denied. Residents cited traffic concerns and equestrian activity as reasons why the Pickwick project was not appropriate for their community. In addition to the lawsuit filed by YIMBY Law, HCD has also responded by sending Burbank a Notice of Violation, requiring the city to reverse course and approve the project.

The lawsuit is one of several lawsuits filed in 2022 by YIMBY Law to hold jurisdictions accountable for implementation of California housing law, including SB 35. 

“The bottom line in this case is that the city of Burbank is no different than any other city in California. Complaints about increased traffic and concerns over equestrian communities do not constitute an exception from the law. And they certainly don’t trump the importance of one of our most fundamental human needs– access to housing,” said Sonja Trauss, Executive Director of YIMBY Law.

Press Release: YIMBY Law Blocks Culver City's Illegal Downzoning, City to Appeal

Contact: Jae Garner

Culver City, CA— YIMBY Law has prevailed in a Superior Court lawsuit filed against Culver City for their attempt to amend the city’s residential zoning code, a decision the city is now moving to appeal. If upheld, the city’s zoning amendment would effectively down zone single-family-zoned residential land, making it more difficult to increase the number of homes in the city.

“The Court’s decision affirms with clarity that Culver City must comply with California housing law. YIMBY Law is dedicated to holding jurisdictions accountable for compliance. This is critical to address our state’s housing crisis,” said Rafa Sonnenfeld, Director of Legal Advocacy at YIMBY Law.

The lawsuit was filed in response to an ordinance passed by the Culver City Council on July 13th, 2020. The ordinance would have reduced the allowable square footage in single-family homes and restricted the definition of a single-family home to include only one kitchen. Based on data from existing homes in Culver City, the ordinance would have reduced the average potential size of single-family homes by approximately 750 square feet. According to city documents, these changes were made to prevent homeowners from breaking their homes into multiple units.

The Superior Court judge sided with YIMBY Law in the suit, which stated that the proposed ordinance would have reduced the current and potential use of the residential land. This is explicitly prohibited by SB 330, a law passed in 2019 that prohibits many actions that delay new homes from being built or decrease the number of homes approved for construction. 

If upheld, Culver City’s ordinance would create additional barriers to the implementation of new state housing laws that legalize and incentivize the construction of more homes. SB 9 is one such law, which legalizes duplexes and residential lot splits, creating the potential for as many as four homes on a previously single-family only property.

YIMBY Law will continue to oppose Culver City’s ordinance in appellate court, on the grounds that the city’s proposed restrictions directly violate SB 330.

“Exclusionary cities have prevented new homes from being built inside their limits for decades,” said Sonja Trauss, Executive Director of YIMBY Law. “Laws like SB 330 and SB 9 help ensure even the most exclusionary cities play their part in ending California’s crippling housing shortage. And YIMBY Law is here to make sure they do.”