the sb 9 city guide for

unincorporated

Santa Ana

Orange County

Grade

very friendly

friendly

restrictive

very restrictive

We've given Santa Ana a D for its very restrictive approach to the implementation of SB 9, which includes excessive regulations.

Last Updated:

June 1, 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 4 units total

very friendly

friendly

sb 9 standard

restrictive

very restrictive

Building max size

Santa Ana

, 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

Santa Ana

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

One rented unit must be occupied by low income 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,

one unit must be owner occupied

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

Santa Ana

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

Want to learn more about Homestead’s grading system? Read our methodology.

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City News

How Santa Ana discourages new housing with hefty fees

CalMatters

Other cities in

Orange County

More about

Santa Ana

The people of Santa Ana love their city’s diverse and vibrant culture, delicious food, and friendly, welcoming community. Visitors with kids enjoy bringing the family to The Discovery Cube Orange County children’s science museum, while child-free adults enjoy a drink at The Copper Door, a local speakeasy. And people of all ages can appreciate the natural beauty of Santiago Creek. Like many parts of Orange County, homes in Santa Ana are becoming increasingly more expensive. SB 9 can bring more affordable housing options to the area through urban lot splits and duplex developments.

Santa Ana

Orange County

Santa Ana

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

Orange County

More about

Santa Ana

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