San Jose is breaking down barriers to housing development with groundbreaking reforms that could transform the city’s housing landscape. Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed two bills that significantly modify the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), potentially accelerating housing production across the region.

The new legislation exempts certain housing projects from lengthy environmental reviews, particularly focusing on infill housing developments under 20 acres, less than 85 feet tall, and meeting local zoning standards. Projects like health clinics, child care centers, and farmworker housing will also benefit from these streamlined regulations.

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan praised the reforms, stating that CEQA has historically been “weaponized to delay and derail housing” critical to the city’s growth. The Planning, Building and Code Enforcement department estimates these changes could potentially halve the approval time for new developments.

However, not everyone is celebrating. Environmental justice advocates like Raquel Mason from the California Environmental Justice Alliance argue that CEQA isn’t the primary barrier to housing affordability. They worry the reforms might compromise environmental protections for vulnerable communities.

Currently, San Jose must build 62,200 homes by 2031 as part of its state-mandated housing plan. So far, the city has completed 3,586 homes, with an additional 5,890 houses and apartments in the permitting phase.

Local housing advocates like Ilya Gurin from South Bay YIMBY remain cautiously optimistic. “It’s possible that this will have a small impact. It’s possible that it will have a huge impact,” Gurin noted, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding these regulatory changes.

As San Jose moves forward, these reforms represent a significant shift in approaching housing development, potentially setting a precedent for other California cities struggling with housing shortages.