How SB 35 Speeds Up Development in California — A Guide by JDJ Consulting Group

Step 1 – Check if the City Is Behind on Housing Goals

SB 35 only applies if the local government is not on track to meet its housing production goals under the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA).

Each city must report its progress to the state. If it’s behind on:

• Market-rate housing, the 10% affordability rule applies.

• Low-income housing, the 50% affordability rule applies.

We help you:

• Check RHNA status using HCD’s state dashboard

• Determine whether the site is in an eligible city or unincorporated area

Step 2 – Confirm That the Site Meets SB 35 Location Rules

Even in a qualifying city, the site must meet strict criteria:

• Urban infill location (not rural or agricultural)

• Zoned for residential or mixed-use

• Not in:

  • Wetlands or flood zones

  • Fire hazard severity zones

  • Environmentally protected areas

JDJ’s consultants cross-check zoning, land use maps, and state GIS data to ensure your project site qualifies before you invest time in design or permitting.

Step 3 – Ensure Project Meets Objective Design Standards

SB 35 only requires a project to meet objective standards—things like:

• Building height and setbacks

• Floor area ratio (FAR)

• Lot coverage

• Parking minimums (though SB 35 limits these)

We help align your plans with:

• Local zoning codes

• Specific plan overlays

• Any applicable community plan policies

Step 4 – Use Qualified Labor and Pay Prevailing Wages

If your project has more than 10 units, SB 35 requires that you pay prevailing wages and use a skilled and trained workforce. This helps protect workers while still allowing for fast-track approvals.

We support clients by:

• Connecting them with experienced general contractors who meet labor standards

• Preparing the SB 35 compliance form required by most cities

Table 3: JDJ SB 35 Readiness Checklist

Bonus – We Also Handle Application Submissions

Once eligibility is confirmed, we prepare and submit:

• SB 35 Supplemental Application

• Site plan package (objective standards matrix, zoning memo)

• Outreach to city planners and case managers

JDJ acts as your point of contact with the city—so you don’t have to worry about missed deadlines or incomplete documentation. We also track all statutory review timelines to make sure your project moves forward on schedule.

Common Mistakes Developers Make When Applying Under SB 35

SB 35 is a powerful tool—but only if used the right way. Many projects get delayed or rejected because of avoidable mistakes. At JDJ Consulting Group, we’ve seen these issues firsthand and know how to help you stay on track.

Here are the most common missteps—and how to avoid them.

Submitting Incomplete or Inaccurate Applications

Cities must respond quickly under SB 35—but only after your application is complete.

Many developers rush and:

• Leave out zoning compliance summaries

• Don’t explain how they meet affordability thresholds

• Forget to attach labor compliance documentation

How JDJ helps:
We prepare complete SB 35 packages, including zoning analysis, labor affidavits, objective standards matrix, and digital-ready site plans.

Misunderstanding Objective vs Subjective Standards

SB 35 only requires compliance with objective standards—those that are measurable and not open to interpretation.

Examples:

• Objective: “Max height 45 feet”

• Subjective: “The design should reflect neighborhood character”

Some cities try to sneak in subjective criteria. Developers often don’t push back—even though they legally can.

How JDJ helps:
We identify all valid objective standards and ensure your plans meet only what’s legally required.

Not Accounting for Prevailing Wage Rules

For projects with 10+ units, SB 35 requires the use of prevailing wage labor. Some developers ignore this, thinking it won’t be enforced.

This can lead to:

• Denied applications

• Delays at permit stage

• Expensive penalties

How JDJ helps:
We partner with construction teams familiar with SB 35 rules. We also guide you in meeting documentation and reporting requirements.

Assuming the City Will Notify You of Delays

Many developers assume cities will automatically follow deadlines or flag missing items. But cities aren’t always proactive.

If you don’t track:

• The 60/90-day eligibility clock

• The 90/180-day approval deadline

…you might lose valuable time—or worse, miss your ministerial window.

How JDJ helps:
We track statutory deadlines and follow up with planners to ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

Failing to Maximize the Law’s Full Potential

Some developers use SB 35 only for basic approvals, missing out on additional benefits, like:

• Reduced parking requirements

• Automatic CEQA exemption

• Protection from project opponents or lawsuits

How JDJ helps:
We help you design smarter and denser projects that use every advantage SB 35 offers—without triggering red flags.

Quick Recap: Mistakes to Avoid

Final Thoughts: SB 35 Is a Game-Changer—If You Use It Right

SB 35 gives California developers a rare opportunity: faster approvals, no CEQA delays, and protection from discretionary denials. But the law is detailed—and one small misstep can slow your project or make you ineligible.

Whether you’re planning a multifamily development or repositioning underutilized land, JDJ Consulting Group can help you unlock the full power of SB 35. From pre-screening your site to building a compliant, streamlined application, we take care of the heavy lifting—so you can focus on building.

Need Help With SB 35 Entitlements?

FAQs Regarding How SB 35 Speeds Up Development

What types of projects qualify for SB 35 streamlining in California?

To qualify for SB 35’s streamlined approval, your project must meet specific criteria related to zoning, affordability, labor, and site conditions. Not all developments are eligible.

Key eligibility requirements include:

• At least 10%–50% affordable units, depending on the city’s progress toward housing goals

• Located in an area zoned for residential use

• Complies with objective zoning standards and General Plan rules

• Site must not be on environmental hazard or farmland zones

• Uses skilled and trained labor, especially on larger projects

You can check your jurisdiction’s SB 35 status on the California HCD website.

Does SB 35 exempt my project from CEQA?

Yes, SB 35 allows qualified housing projects to skip CEQA environmental review entirely, making it one of the most powerful tools in California’s development toolbox.

Here’s what that means for developers:

• No Environmental Impact Report (EIR)

• No CEQA litigation delays

• Faster timeline and reduced uncertainty

• Projects can move straight to building permits after ministerial approval

This exemption only applies if all SB 35 conditions are met. Cities must approve the application if it complies with objective standards.

How fast can my project get approved under SB 35?

If your application is complete and meets all SB 35 criteria, cities must approve or deny it within 60 to 90 days, depending on unit count.

Timeline breakdown:

• 10 days: City notifies you if the application is incomplete

• 30–60 days: City must approve or deny once the app is deemed complete

• 180 days max: Total review timeline for large projects

By comparison, discretionary reviews with CEQA can take 12–24 months or longer.

Need help meeting submission standards? JDJ Consulting offers permit expediting and entitlement strategy services. Explore our work across Los Angeles.

What cities in California offer SB 35 streamlining?

SB 35 applies in cities and counties that haven’t met their RHNA housing goals, particularly for lower-income units. This includes many cities in Los Angeles County and across Southern California.

Eligible cities often include:

• Los Angeles

• Glendale

• Alhambra

• Oakland

• San Diego

• San Bernardino

Use the HCD SB 35 Determination Map to confirm if your project location qualifies.

JDJ Consulting provides localized entitlement support in dozens of cities. See our service areas.

Can I combine SB 35 with density bonuses or ADUs?

Yes. SB 35 works in tandem with other housing incentives, such as the State Density Bonus Law and Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) rules. This allows developers to maximize yield and design flexibility.

You may benefit from:

• Extra density and floor area via Density Bonus Law

• Fewer parking requirements

• More flexible height, setback, and open space standards

• Option to add ADUs or JADUs without triggering CEQA

These laws are stackable—if used strategically. JDJ can create a custom entitlement strategy that merges these tools.