Summary

City Council adopts ordinance (O-2026-124 Rev.) phasing implementation of S.B. 79 with specified exemptions

San DiegoMay 8, 20262 min read

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San Diego City Council introduced and approved Ordinance O-2026-124 Rev. to phase implementation of Senate Bill 79, removing certain recitals and attachments and establishing exemptions and implementation triggers for areas with >1 mile walking path to a TOD stop, Very High Fire Severity Zones, designated historic resources, and sites vulnerable to one foot of sea level rise.

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City Council

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TransportationPublic SafetyEnvironmentalHousing

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Introduced and approved as amended Ordinance O-2026-124 Rev. to phase implementation of S.B. 79.
Removed Recital “E” and renumbered the remaining recitals.
Deleted all attachments to the Ordinance.
Section 2 amended: areas identified by the City as having more than one mile walking path to a TOD Stop, as identified by the SANDAG map upon its release, are exempt from S.B. 79 requirements; these areas will be shown on a map prepared by the City Planning Department.
Section 4 amended: areas within a Very High Fire Severity Zone as determined by the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection will implement S.B. 79 upon adoption of a TOD Alternative Plan deemed compliant by the Department or no later than one year following adoption of the seventh revision of the Housing Element, whichever occurs first.
Section 5 amended: sites with a historic resource designated as of January 1, 2025 on a local register will implement S.B. 79 upon adoption of a compliant TOD Alternative Plan or no later than one year following adoption of the seventh revision of the Housing Element, whichever occurs first.
Section 6 amended: sites identified as vulnerable to one foot of sea level rise (per the City coastal hazards vulnerability assessment) will implement S.B. 79 upon adoption of a compliant TOD Alternative Plan or no later than one year following adoption of the seventh revision of the Housing Element, whichever occurs first.
Action recorded as unanimous among members present. Councilmembers present: Joe LaCava, Jennifer Campbell, Stephen Whitburn, Marni von Wilpert, Raul A. Campillo, and Vivian Moreno. Councilmembers absent: Henry L. Foster, Kent Lee, and Sean Elo-Rivera.
No report out from Closed Session. Meeting adjourned by Council President LaCava at 9:46 p.m.

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San Diego City Council - Special Agenda and Results Summary

May 8, 2026, 1:00 AMcompleted

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