California Housing Bills Reshape Long Beach Zoning as Governor Decision Looms

Two bills working through the California legislature would alter how Long Beach approves housing developments and manages construction costs, potentially affecting thousands of residents seeking affordable homes and the city's long-term housing stock. SB 1157, which cleared the Senate in late June, would streamline environmental review for residential projects near transit corridors. AB 2487, passed by the Assembly in early July, establishes new timelines for local jurisdictions to process housing applications.

Long Beach sits at the center of this legislative push. The city has approved 3,247 new housing units since 2020, according to the Southern California Association of Realtors, but demand continues to outpace supply. Mayor Rex Richardson's administration has signaled support for faster approval processes, noting that projects currently spend 18 to 24 months in the city's planning review cycle. That timeline directly affects construction costs and the price tag developers ultimately pass to renters and buyers.

What Changes for Residents and Projects

SB 1157 would exempt projects within a half-mile of transit stops from certain California Environmental Quality Act requirements if they meet affordability thresholds. Long Beach, which operates the Blue Line light rail and has five bus rapid transit corridors, qualifies as a covered jurisdiction. The bill defines "nearby transit" as within 1,500 feet of high-frequency service. For Long Beach residents, this means projects like apartment complexes near the Blue Line's Anaheim Street or Atlantic Avenue stations could move faster through city review if developers agree to set aside units for low-income renters.

AB 2487 takes a different approach. It would require cities to make a decision on housing applications within 120 days for projects under 50 units and 180 days for larger developments, unless a local agency can demonstrate that meeting those deadlines is infeasible. Long Beach's Planning Department, which processes roughly 400 applications annually across all project types, says the city currently meets statutory timelines for environmental review but that housing applications often involve multiple review cycles with applicants. The bill would force hard deadlines or force cities to document why they cannot meet them, a transparency measure that housing advocates have pushed for statewide.

Budget Impact and Timeline Ahead

The Legislative Analyst's Office estimates that statewide compliance with AB 2487 could require 50 to 100 additional planning staff across California. Long Beach, with a city planning division of approximately 90 professional staff, has not yet announced hiring plans should the bill pass. The cost to hire and train additional permitting staff would fall on the city's General Fund or require department budget reallocation.

Both bills face amendments in their respective chambers before any final vote. SB 1157 is expected to reach Governor Newsom's office by mid-August. AB 2487 remains in committee. City of Long Beach officials told local media outlets in June that they would monitor both measures and provide input during public comment periods.

For Long Beach residents, the immediate stakes centre on housing affordability and construction timelines. Projects that move faster through permitting typically start construction sooner and reach market within a shorter window, potentially moderating price increases. The city's median rent stood at $2,180 for a one-bedroom apartment in June 2026, according to CoStar Group data. Faster approvals and reduced environmental review could lower developer carrying costs, though economists say the pass-through to renters is not guaranteed. Both bills also tie housing approvals to affordability requirements, meaning faster projects would need to include units for lower-income households, a tradeoff that state lawmakers have accepted to advance overall supply.

City Council is scheduled to hold a policy briefing on housing legislation during its August 18 session. Long Beach residents can attend public comment to weigh in before any final votes in Sacramento.