What is Senate Bill (SB) 330?

Effective January 1, 2020, and through its expiration on January 1, 2030  SB 330 (Housing Crisis Act of 2019 – Government Code Section 65941.1) expands or amends Sate legislation, including the Permit Streamlining Act and Housing Accountability Act, with the broad goals of facilitating increased production of new residential units, protecting existing units, and providing for an expedited review and approval process for housing development projects through submittal of a “preliminary application.”

Among other stipulations, SB 330 requires the following for applicable housing development projects:

• New, non-objective development standards established after January 1, 2020, cannot be imposed or enforced.
• Applicable housing development projects must receive a decision in no more than five (5) public hearings – whether the item is being heard by a Design Review Board, Planning Commission, or Council, and including any appeals (except for those related to a legislative action).
• Prohibits any moratorium, project, or action that would result in a net downzoning, limit the number of permits to be issued, or otherwise reduce housing or limit overall population.  This requirement does not apply to zoning changes that might reduce intensity for certain parcels where density would be concurrently increased on others and therefore result in “no net loss” in zoned housing capacity or intensity.

The Town has prepared a preliminary application packet including application form, FAQ, and application process.

You may also download a PDF of this process. 

*Subject to one 90-day period for resubmittal.

**Subject to two 90-day periods for resubmittal.

***These applications have invoked Builder's Remedy.  This means that the applicant can argue that the project is not subject to Los Gatos design or zoning standards, policies, or ordinances.

(1) More information about individual formal applications can be found at Pending Planning Projects.

(2) Pending outcome of the Town filed complaint for declaratory relief with the Santa Clara County Superior Court (Case No. 25CV462276).

Note: An applicant may invoke Builder's Remedy at any time in the planning process.  The final determination on Builder’s Remedy will be made at the end of the planning application review process if and when the deciding body makes the findings for approval based on Builder’s Remedy or other facts in the record.