the sb 9 city guide for

unincorporated

San Rafael

Marin County

A-

Grade

very friendly

friendly

restrictive

very restrictive

We've given San Rafael an A- for its friendly approach to the implementation of SB 9, which includes few regulations.

Last Updated:

June 2, 2023

If you feel this grade was given incorrectly, please contact us.

What's SB 9?

SB 9 is a state bill that was created to address California's housing crisis. It allows Californians more flexibility with their urban property than they've ever had before.

What can I build?

You have three options for an SB 9 project

Option 1: Lot Split

Divide your lot into two parcels; building on the new lot is allowed

Your lot must be at least 2,400 sqft and can be divided 50/50 or 60/40

sb 9 standard

Option 2: Two-Units

Keep your parcel as is, and add

up to 2 units total + ADUs & JADUs allowed by zoning standards

very friendly

friendly

sb 9 standard

restrictive

very restrictive

Option 3: Lot Split & Two-Units

A mix of the above: divide your parcel, and add

up to 8 units total

very friendly

friendly

sb 9 standard

restrictive

very restrictive

Building max size

San Rafael

, new units can be up to

sq ft. This is half the size of the median single family home in California.

very restrictive

California median home size

1,700 sq ft

San Rafael

SB 9 Limit

sq ft

Where can I build?

You can build in single-family residential zones

very friendly

friendly

sb 9 standard

restrictive

very restrictive

Places where you can't build

Prime farmland

sb 9 standard

Hazardous waste sites

sb 9 standard

High & very high fire severity zones

sb 9 standard

Lands identified for conservation of protected species' habitat

sb 9 standard

Vacant Lots*

very restrictive

Historical Zones

sb 9 standard

SB 9 in Very High Fire Severity Areas

SB 9 in Conservation zones

May require additional permits

Earthquake fault lines

sb 9 standard

Areas of high landslide and liquefaction risk

sb 9 standard

FEMA 1% annual chance flood (100-year flood) zones and floodways

sb 9 standard

Coastal areas

sb 9 standard

very restrictive

SB 9 in Earthquake zones

SB 9 in Flood zones

Building that can't be demolished

Officially recognized low-income housing

sb 9 standard

Rent-controlled housing

sb 9 standard

Housing that has been occupied by a tenant in the last 3 years

sb 9 standard

SB 9 Occupancy requirements

Renting & Selling

For all development options, resulting units must be residential use only

very friendly

friendly

sb 9 standard

restrictive

very restrictive

Renting Requirements

Minimum rental period is

days

sb 9 standard

There is no income requirement for tenants

very friendly

friendly

sb 9 standard

restrictive

very restrictive

For Lot Splits, one unit must be owner occupied for three years

sb 9 standard

For Two-Unit Projects,

all units can be rented

very friendly

friendly

sb 9 standard

restrictive

very restrictive

Selling Requirements

For Lot Splits, one unit must be owner occupied for three years

sb 9 standard

For Two-Unit Projects,

units can not be sold separately

very friendly

friendly

sb 9 standard

restrictive

very restrictive

Additional Requirements

Here are a few more restrictions and requirements that you should keep in mind when pursuing an SB 9 project in

San Rafael

Parking req.

very friendly

friendly

sb 9 standard

restrictive

very restrictive

Objective Design Review Standards

very friendly

friendly

sb 9 standard

restrictive

very restrictive

Landscaping

very friendly

friendly

sb 9 standard

restrictive

very restrictive

Fire Safety

very friendly

friendly

sb 9 standard

restrictive

very restrictive

Utility req.

very friendly

friendly

sb 9 standard

restrictive

very restrictive

Easements req.

very friendly

friendly

sb 9 standard

restrictive

very restrictive

Height limits

very friendly

friendly

sb 9 standard

restrictive

very restrictive

Bureaucracy

very friendly

friendly

sb 9 standard

restrictive

very restrictive

Fees

very friendly

friendly

sb 9 standard

restrictive

very restrictive

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City News

SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT

City of San Rafael

San Rafael commission sends housing ordinance to council

Marin Independent Journal

San Rafael approves ordinance for state housing law

Marin Independent Journal

Other cities in

Marin County

More about

San Rafael

Residents of San Rafael love their North Bay town’s beautiful hills and hiking trails, walkable downtown, and diverse family-friendly community. Visitors can explore China Camp State Park, hit the green at Peacock Gap Golf Club, and tour the historic Marin County Civic Center (designed by legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright). Housing costs in San Rafael are expensive, but we believe SB 9 lot splits and duplexes will add more affordable options.

San Rafael

Marin County

San Rafael

What can I build?

Option 1: Lot Split

Option 2: Two-Units

Option 3: Lot Split & Two-Units

Where can I build?

Places where you can't build

May require additional permits

Building that can't be demolished

Renting & Selling

Renting Requirements

Selling Requirements

Additional Requirements

City News

Other cities in

Marin County

More about

San Rafael

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