Senate Bill 9 (SB9) Information and FAQ

Senate Bill 9 (SB 9) aims to streamline housing production. Effective January 1, 2022, SB 9 requires all local jurisdictions to *ministerially review up to two residential units on a parcel in a single-family residential zone if the project meets specific objective standards. It also requires jurisdictions to provide ministerial review of a subdivision of one lot into two lots in a single-family residential zone if specific objective standards are met. 

*“Ministerial" means a project must be approved if it complies with objective standards, without any subjective judgment from planners. Ministerial projects are not subject to environmental reviews or public hearings.   

• The property must comply with all requirements listed below to qualify as an SB 9 project. The parcel must be zoned for single-family residential use RR, R1, R2 or any planned unit development (PUD) that permits single-family dwellings only. (Verify the zoning of a parcel in Petaluma here.) 
• The proposed project cannot be located within a Historic District. (Verify here.)    
• The proposed project cannot be located on a property in any of the following areas:  

• • Prime farmland  
  • Wetlands as defined under federal law 
  • Hazardous waste site  
  • Protected species habitat  
  • Lands under a conservation easement  
  • Lands identified for conservation in an adopted natural community conservation plan, habitat conservation plan or other adopted natural resource protection plan  
  • A site containing a historic landmark (Local landmarks can be viewed here)
    

• If the parcel is located within the Very High Fire Severity Zone (VHFSZ), it must comply with applicable building standards and state fire mitigation measures. (Verify if your property is in the VHFSZ here.)   
• If the parcel is located in a special flood hazard area subject to induction by the 1 percent annual chance flood (100-year flood) or regulatory floodway as determined by FEMA (Verify here), the project must meet applicable federal criteria.  
• If the parcel is located within an earthquake fault zone (Verify here), the project must comply with applicable seismic protection building code standards. 

First download and complete an SB 9 Two-Unit Development Checklist and review Building Submittal Requirements here. When ready, submit your application for a Residential - Single Family (if new SB9 unit(s) will be detached) or Residential Multi Family (if SB9 unit(s) will be attached i.e., duplex) through the Permits & Planning Applications Hub. We strongly recommend discussing your potential SB 9 project with a planner before you submit your application. Schedule a 15-minute appointment to speak with a planner here.  

Review the SB 9 Urban Lot Split Checklist and Submittal Requirements and submit your application for a Tentative Parcel Map through the Permits & Planning Applications Hub. We strongly recommend discussing your potential SB 9 project with a planner before you submit your application. Schedule a 15-minute appointment to speak with a planner here.