If you apply for permits to build 2+ units under SB-423, it takes 6 months

[Felicia Nitu]

Why does SB-423 extend the permit process for 2+ unit projects?
San Diego City must notify California Native American tribes within 30 days of receiving a Notice of Intent. Tribes then have another 30 days to respond. If concerns about cultural resources arise, developers must work with the tribes to resolve them. If no agreement is reached, the city deems the project ineligible for SB-423, requiring alternative approval methods. This consultation process often extends permit timelines to 6 months.

Key factors behind the delay:

// Tribal Notification Process
· Adds mandatory waiting periods for responses and negotiations
· Can disqualify projects if no agreement is reached

// Extended Review Periods
· Requires additional steps beyond standard permitting
· Slows approvals but doesn’t always block development

How SB-423 Benefits Real Estate Agents and Developers
SB-423 streamlines approvals for multi-unit housing in qualifying areas by extending and modifying SB-35. Developers benefit from a ministerial approval process that bypasses discretionary reviews, while real estate agents gain more inventory to sell in high-demand markets.