San Diego City Council Holds Special Meeting Tomorrow to Vote on Implementing Senate Bill 79

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This Thursday evening, the City Council will hold a special meeting to vote on an ordinance implementing Senate Bill 79, the new state law that allows 5+ story apartments within one-half mile of trolley stops and certain major bus routes.

To use the protections allowed under the law, San Diego must adopt an implementing ordinance before SB 79 takes effect on July 1.

While Neighbors For A Better San Diego (NFABSD) opposed the bill in Sacramento, the Planning Department’s phased approach is the best available path under a bad law and deserves support. It limits immediate exposure in high-fire-hazard zones, low-resource areas, historic sites, and sea-level-rise areas, and it applies the state’s optional one-mile walking-distance cap to reduce the most unreasonable overreach.

We encourage residents to submit comments through the web form (see below) before Thursday.

We do not expect this to be a long and contentious hearing, but we will be making a presentation, so if you can attend and cede time, that would be appreciated.

NFABSD will be speaking in support of the Planning Department’s proposal and urging the Council to reject efforts to maximize SB 79’s footprint across San Diego. The density allowed under SB 79 is already achievable through the Complete Communities, Affordable Density Bonus, and Bonus ADU programs.

Please submit written comments in support of the Planning Department’s phased ordinance before Thursday:

- Click HERE to submit your comment

- Fill in your contact info at the top of the form

- Meeting Date: 05/07/2026

- Check box for City Council Comment

- Agenda Item No. 600

- Oppose or Favor? Check the box for FAVOR

- Type your own comment, or copy-and-paste this:

I support the phased SB 79 implementation proposed by the Planning Department in the ordinance attached to the agenda. I ask the Council to recommend that the State Legislature amend the law as proposed in the Planning Department's February 13 memo to Council. In addition, I am urging the Planning Department to work with community planning groups to develop SB 79 Alternative Plans.

- Answer the Campaign Contribution question

- Hit SUBMIT

Thank you! And please join us on Thursday evening to help show strong community support:

Thursday, May 7th at 6:00 PM

City Administration Building

City Council Chambers- 12th Floor

202 C Street San Diego, CA 92101

Agenda Item 600