Duplex Bill

SB 1120 would have made it legal to build two homes on every property zoned for single-family homes in California. It would have also allowed single-family properties to be split into two lots, increasing the total potential to four homes (two primary residences and two ADUs).

The bill sought to legalize neighborhood-scale residential development like duplexes, substantially increasing the amount of housing available in neighborhoods throughout the state. 

Additionally, this bill would have respected the priorities of local governments and existing residents by subjecting the changes to the following requirements:

  • Eligibility limited to urban areas
  • Compliance with objective zoning and design standards (such as height and floor area ratio)
  • Prohibited in historic districts or environmentally-sensitive areas (farmland, wetlands, protected species habitat)
  • Severely limits alteration or demolition of existing structures
  • Prohibits disruption of existing affordable housing, rent-controlled housing, or housing recently leased to a tenant
  • Guarantees provision of adequate parking
  • Any lot split must create two parcels of equal size that are at least 1,200 sq. ft.
  • Allows local governments to limit ADU applications on parcels that exercise the provisions of SB 1120

Updates

Aug 31, 2020 Did not pass Senate concurrence by the deadline
2021 Reintroduced as SB 9 and signed into law by Gov. Newsom

Resources

SB 1120 Fact Sheet

A closer look at the bill’s details.

Download ↓

SB 1120 In the News

Los Angeles Times · September 1, 2020
Duplex Bill, SB 1120, dies: Assembly approval comes too late →

Capital Public Radio · September 13, 2020
Democratic Squabbling Doomed California’s ‘Year Of Housing Production.’ What Will Happen In 2021? →

Los Angeles Times · August 26, 2020
California bill would allow duplexes on single family lots →

CalMatters · September 2020
Here’s an important part of the solution for the state’s housing crisis →

The Mercury News · September 4, 2020
California’s housing priorities tumble amid coronavirus chaos →

Supporters

  • Abundant Housing LA
  • All Home
  • American Planning Association – California Chapter
  • Associated Builders and Contractors – NorCal
  • Bay Area Council
  • Bay Area Housing Action Coalition
  • BRIDGE Housing
  • California Apartment Association
  • California Association of Realtors
  • California Building Industry Association
  • California Chamber of Commerce
  • California Community Econ. Development Assn.
  • California YIMBY
  • Casita Coalition
  • City of Oakland
  • Council of Infill Builders
  • Facebook
  • Generation Housing
  • Greenlining Institute
  • Habitat for Humanity – California
  • Local Government Commission
  • Los Angeles Business Council
  • Sand Hill Property Company
  • Santa Monica Forward
  • Silicon Valley @ Home
  • Southern California Leadership Council
  • South Pasadena for Responsible Growth
  • SPUR
  • The Two Hundred
  • TMG Partners
  • UC Berkeley Terner Center for Housing Innovation
  • Up For Growth
  • United Dwelling
  • Zillow