CAL.Regulation
California requires ministerial approval of qualifying townhome subdivisions
Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 1751, the Missing Middle Townhome Ownership Act, on September 29, 2026. New Government Code sections 66499.45 and following subject qualifying townhome subdivisions to ministerial approval on sites zoned for multifamily use or underutilized single-family-only sites. New parcels must be at least 600 square feet, with units in fee-simple, condominium, community-land-trust, limited-equity-cooperative or tenancy-in-common ownership, and tenant, rent-control and demolition protections apply.
Enrolled text (California Legislative Information) → · Office of the Governor
Key points
- Requires ministerial map approval for qualifying townhome subdivisions.California Legislative Information
- Parcels must be at least 600 square feet in fee-simple or shared-ownership forms.California Legislative Information
- Protects existing tenants and rent-controlled and demolished units.California Legislative Information
- Excludes farmland, wetlands, very high fire zones, hazardous waste sites, and historic resources.California Legislative Information
- Takes effect January 1, 2027; the act also adds Government Code section 65852.30.California Legislative Information
Sources2 articles across 2 outlets
California Legislative Information
Office of the Governor
Filed under
RegulationCal.AB 1751 — Missing Middle Townhome Ownership ActHousingLocal governmentReal estateFor practitionersFor governance