Expert perspectives on density, entitlements, and development strategy
Why California Stopped Building Homes You Can Own
Only two condo projects under construction in downtown California. The decline isn’t about demand—it’s about risk shifted by SB 800.
SB 330: A Critical Tool for Navigating Today's Shifting Development Landscape
SB 330 freezes zoning, fees, and standards at the time of preliminary application. In a shifting code environment, that 180-day window is a strategic asset.
San Diego’s 2026 LDC Update Is Quietly Reshaping How Housing Gets Approved
San Diego’s 2026 LDC Update is reshaping housing approvals, ministerial pathways, entitlement timing, and developer strategy.
2026 Land Development Code Update
What’s being proposed, where feasibility may tighten, and what San Diego developers should watch as the code update moves forward.
CEQA Addendum vs EIR: What Developers Need to Know in 2026
Navigating environmental review in San Diego is becoming increasingly surgical. Discover why a CEQA Addendum might be your fastest path to approval in 2026—and the specific thresholds that could force a full EIR instead.
Why Your “By-Right” Project Isn’t Actually By-Right in San Diego
San Diego projects that look by-right often shift into discretionary review. Learn the 4 hidden triggers — overlays, CEQA, site constraints, and opposition — and how to de-risk early.
Why National Development Playbooks Fail in San Diego
San Diego is procedurally complex — coastal overlays, community plan nuance, sequencing, and local implementation shape development timelines.
The Hidden Political Battle Behind SB 79: Equity vs. Transit-Oriented Density
SB 79 is becoming a flashpoint in San Diego’s housing debate as equity, infrastructure, transit-oriented density, and ministerial approvals collide.
San Diego’s ADU Bonus Program Is Entering a New Era
San Diego is not eliminating the ADU Bonus Program. It is recalibrating the program through caps, fees, fire safety rules, and implementation changes.
Why Now Could Be the Smartest Time to Move Your Project Forward
Periods of economic uncertainty often cause projects to pause. But experienced developers know: you don’t need to build today to gain momentum.
San Diego Doesn’t Have a Zoning Problem — It Has a Feasibility Problem
CCHS already creates capacity that exceeds state mandates. Construction cost, insurance, and fees decide whether housing actually gets delivered.
Complete Communities Is Still One of San Diego’s Most Powerful Tools—But It’s Evolving
Complete Communities remains San Diego’s best density tool—but for-sale options, overlapping regulations, and fee changes mean it’s no longer plug-and-play. Here’s what’s evolving.
Why Overdesign Blows Budgets in San Diego Development
When design serves the portfolio instead of the pro forma, costs inflate without adding yield. The most common overdesign traps—and how to avoid them.
CEQA Risk Upstream: Where Environmental Exposure Gets Created
CEQA exposure is created upstream — by the entitlement path, the site characteristics, and the approval type your project requires. Here’s how to avoid it.
ADU Bonus vs. Complete Communities (CCHS)
San Diego offers two powerful density bonus programs. Understanding when to use the ADU Bonus Program versus CCHS can significantly impact your project’s yield and timeline.
ADU Bonus Program Changes — What San Diego Developers Need to Know
San Diego's ADU Bonus Program has new unit caps, fire safety rules, parking mandates, and FAR limits. Here's what changed and what it means for your next project.
5 min read · Jul 25, 2025