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AB 648

Community colleges: housing: local zoning regulations: exemption.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jesse Arreguín and 1 co-sponsor

AB 648 exempts California community colleges from local zoning rules for housing projects, boosting affordable options for faculty and staff near campuses.

Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 378, Statutes of 2025.
#communitycolleges #exemption #housing #localzoningregulations
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Bill Summary · AB 648

Summary of AB 648: Community Colleges Housing Exemption

Bill Number: AB 648
Title: Community colleges: housing: local zoning regulations: exemption
Status: Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 378, Statutes of 2025
Introduced: February 13, 2025
Vote Requirement: Majority
Appropriation: No
Fiscal Committee: No
Local Program: No

Purpose and Intent

AB 648 aims to address California's growing affordable housing crisis, particularly for faculty and staff at community colleges. The bill exempts community college districts from local zoning regulations when constructing university housing development projects on their owned or leased properties, provided certain conditions are met. This legislation is intended to facilitate the development of affordable housing near community colleges, thereby supporting both educational staff and students.

Key Provisions

  1. Zoning Exemption:

    • Community college districts are not required to comply with local zoning ordinances for university housing development projects if:
      • The project is located within a half-mile radius of a main campus or a satellite campus that existed before July 1, 2025.

  2. Affordable Housing Requirements:

    • If the housing project includes units for faculty and staff, a portion of these units must be made available at affordable rents to:
      • Extremely low-income faculty and staff (as defined by Section 50106 of the Health and Safety Code).
      • Lower-income faculty and staff (as defined by Section 50079.5 of the Health and Safety Code).

  3. Statewide Concern Declaration:

    • The bill includes findings that the construction of university housing is a matter of statewide concern, thus applying to all cities, including charter cities, and not just local jurisdictions.

Impact

  • Who is Affected:

    • Community college districts across California will benefit from the streamlined process for developing housing.
    • Faculty and staff at community colleges will have increased access to affordable housing options.
    • Students may also benefit indirectly from a more stable faculty and staff presence.

  • Housing Affordability:

    • The bill aims to alleviate the housing shortage for extremely low-income and lower-income faculty and staff, contributing to a more sustainable educational environment.

Procedural Aspects

  • Legislative Journey:

    • The bill was introduced on February 13, 2025, and underwent several amendments and committee reviews before being approved by the Governor on October 6, 2025.
    • It was chaptered into law as Chapter 378 of the Statutes of 2025.

  • Implementation Timeline:

    • The provisions of the bill will take effect immediately upon chaptering, allowing community college districts to begin planning housing projects without local zoning restrictions.

Conclusion

AB 648 represents a significant step towards addressing the affordable housing crisis in California, particularly for those involved in the community college system. By exempting community college districts from local zoning regulations for specific housing projects, the bill seeks to enhance the availability of affordable housing for faculty and staff, thereby supporting the broader educational mission of community colleges in the state.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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