Overview
California's traditional subdivision map approval process — the Tentative Map and Final Map system — has long been one of the most time-consuming elements of for-sale housing development. SB 684 and SB 1123 attack this bottleneck directly by creating a ministerial (by-right) approval pathway for small subdivision maps, dramatically compressing the timeline for creating for-sale townhome and small-lot single-family products.
Key Provisions
- SB 684 enables ministerial approval of subdivision maps creating up to 10 units on single-family and multifamily zoned land
- SB 1123 extends these streamlining provisions to larger parcels and additional zoning categories
- Projects must meet objective development standards — no discretionary design review
- The ministerial pathway eliminates Planning Commission hearings and public comment periods for qualifying projects
- Works in conjunction with SB 9 (two-unit and lot split) to enable a range of small-lot for-sale products
SKDM's Strategy
Together, SB 1123 and SB 684 make it viable to build and sell small-lot townhomes and single-family homes on infill parcels without the delays and uncertainty of traditional subdivision entitlement. For SKDM, this creates a streamlined pathway for for-sale infill development in our target markets — particularly in the San Gabriel Valley, where demand for owner-occupied townhome product is strong.
Contact us to discuss how SB 1123 / SB 684 may apply to your specific parcel or development program.