Blog Recap #1: SB 9 vs. Traditional Land Subdivision

Published August 6, 2025

In this post, we took a side-by-side look at Senate Bill 9 and traditional land subdivision. To refresh your memory, SB 9, the California Home Act, allows homeowners in single-family zones to build up to 4-housing units on a lot previously limited to only 1-house.

We discussed how the Traditional Land Subdivision Process vs. SB 9 use stacked up against each other. It’s easily one of the questions we hear most often from property owners trying to navigate their choices in California’s housing landscape.

The Key Difference

Traditional: Requires concept approval from local municipalities, often including input from neighboring property owners — introducing potential delays and added conditions.

SB 9: Plans are reviewed directly and ministerially. No neighborhood approvals, no public hearings. If the project qualifies, it moves forward.

The Takeaway

SB 9 offers a streamlined, cost-effective alternative for eligible property owners who want to build faster and smarter. That said, it's not a one-size-fits-all solution — thorough feasibility planning remains critical regardless of which path you choose.

Blog Recap #2: SB 9 Without a Lot-Split

Published October 28, 2025

Most people who've heard of SB 9 associate it with splitting a lot. But in this post, we revealed something that often surprises our clients: you can unlock many of SB 9's biggest benefits without subdividing your property at all. We broke down four ways to use SB 9, two of which require no lot-split whatsoever:

Option 1 – Add Units to an Existing Home (No Lot Split). Do you already have a single-family home? SB 9 lets you add additional units — up to four total — right on your existing parcel. No subdivision. No public hearings. Just more housing potential on land you already own.

Option 2 – Build Two Units on a Vacant Lot (No Lot Split). Do you own an empty lot? You can build two primary homes and potentially add an ADU behind each — up to four units on one parcel, without ever touching the parcel lines.

Option 3 – Split a Vacant Lot, Then Build. The classic SB 9 scenario: subdivide your lot into two parcels, then build up to two units per parcel.

Option 4 – Split a Lot That Already Has a Home on It. You can split an already-developed property, then add more units — staying within SB 9's four-unit cap.

Without a Lot-Split

For clients where a lot-split isn't possible or desirable, Options 1 and 2 offer real flexibility. Going without a lot-split means:

• Faster ministerial approval: No public hearings required.
• Lower soft costs: Reduced surveying, legal, and design expenses.
• Retained full ownership: No separate parcels or title changes to manage.
• Income prospect: Ideal for family housing needs or rental income opportunities.

Bottom Line

If you're a homeowner in a single-family zone, there's a strong chance SB 9 has a path for you, with or without splitting your lot. The right strategy depends on your goals, your property, and your timeline.

Blog Recap #3: SB 1123 — A New Opportunity for Infill Development

Published November 21, 2025

Our most recent 2025 post introduced Senate Bill 1123 — one of the most impactful pieces of housing legislation we've seen in years. Effective July 1, 2025, SB 1123 expanded California's starter home reforms specifically to make infill development faster and easier in single-family zones.

Infill development means building new housing on vacant or underused land within existing neighborhoods, e.g., think of a long, empty lot tucked between existing homes, or an unused parcel near schools and transit. These projects revitalize communities, use existing infrastructure, and reduce urban sprawl.

SB 1123 builds on the foundation set by SB 684—which streamlined approvals for small multifamily subdivisions—and extends that same expedited process to vacant lots in single-family zones. 

Key features of SB 1123 include: 

✔ Applies to vacant single family–zoned lots up to 1.5 acres 

✔ Allows up to 10 new homes per subdivision 

✔ Eliminates minimum street frontage requirements 

✔ Permits parcels as small as 1,200 sq ft (subject to local standards) 

✔ Excludes ADUs from the 10unit cap 

✔ Requires ministerial approval within 60 days, with no public hearings

Four Big Reasons Why Infill Development Matters

Faster, more predictable approvals, from a year or more down to just a few months.

Lower soft costs, shorter timelines mean less money spent in entitlement.

New development potential, vacant lots in single-family zones now have a clear, simple pathway to subdivision.

More design flexibility, restrictive local rules like oversized setbacks are limited, opening up creative site layout options.

Infill as a Development Tool

At G&M, we see SB 1123 as a practical tool to unlock infill development in neighborhoods that haven't seen new housing in years. Early site analysis is key, and we're already collaborating with clients to identify and evaluate SB 1123 opportunities. Contact Us to let us know if you have an idea or need guidance on a potential property.

Since 1994, G&M’s goal is to “Make our Clients' Vision a Reality."