Feasibility

Search your address on our SB 9 Eligibility Search Tool to find out if your property is eligible.
If you live in the City of Los Angeles, you can search your address on ZIMAS to download an SB 9 Eligibility Checklist.

First we assess the feasibility of a lot split on your property with the numerous factors at-play, including, but lot limited to: Site conditions, jurisdictional roadblocks, and seeking approval with your lender (which must issue an approval). If everything checks out, we then coordinate all third-party specialists (e.g. civil engineer, surveyor, etc), fill out the required documentation, and submit the application on your behalf. We charge a baseline fee for our services, and all fees incurred during the subdivision process are passed along to you with no markup.

Senate Bill 9 (also known as the California HOME Act) is a state law that applies to single-family zoned properties in urban areas. Qualifying parcels are eligible for a lot split and up to two primary homes on each lot. Cities cannot require discretionary reviews or public hearings for these actions. SB 9 projects must be evaluated ministerially, which means only objective, quantifiable standards can be imposed.

SB 9 exempts projects from CEQA requirements and doubles the expiration date of tentative parcel maps (now valid for 24 months). Public hearing requirements are not required for SB 9 projects in Coastal Zones, but all other CCA regulations still apply.

To learn more about Senate Bill 9, read Homestead's SB 9 Manual.

It depends on the home's rental history and your jurisdiction.
If the home has been owner occupied or vacant for the last three years, the house can be demolished in most jurisdictions. However, if it has been rented or leased to tenants at any point in the last three years, you may not demolish the house or change more than 25% of the exterior walls.
Some jurisdictions do not allow demolition of 25% or more for any units, regardless of current or former occupancy.

You may rent out SB 9 units for a minimum of 30 consecutive days, but be aware that some cities have income caps for SB 9 rentals. Refer to your city's SB 9 City Guide or local SB 9 ordinance to see if there are affordability requirements in your jurisdiction.
If you perform an SB 9 urban lot split, you will need to live on one of the two lots for a minimum of three years following the lot split.

As the law currently stands, HOAs are able to veto SB 9 projects. You will need to get a formal approval from your homeowner's association in order to perform a lot split or build a second unit.
For more information, read our article on SB 9 in HOA communities.

Yes, and the city cannot require you to bring the home up to code in order to qualify for a lot split. Some cities do require that noncompliant structures must be brought up to code in order to apply for a two-unit development, however. Check your local SB 9 guidelines to determine what's required in your jurisdiction.

Yes, SB 9 overrides the following aspects of a zone's municipal code:

• Minimum lot size (SB 9 allows 40-60% of a lot to be split off into a new lot, regardless of code's lot size requirements)
• Density (two primary units allowed per parcel)
• Floor area ratio (SB 9 units may be up to 800 sq ft, even if the zone's FAR standards would necessitate a smaller unit)
• Parking (1 off-street parking space per unit; no parking requirements in some circumstances)
• Setbacks (4' side and rear setbacks allowed)
• Subjective design standards
• Public hearing requirements
• Any requirements that would prevent up to two 800 sq ft units per lot

No, the two resulting lots must be roughly equal in size (between 60/40 and 50/50).

Some cities have a more complex application and permitting process, which requires more work on our end. Our fees are relative to the difficulty of the process and our level of prior experience with the's city planning department.

You can only use SB 9 to split a lot once. However, if you have a large property, you could subdivide your lot with a standard subdivision first, then use SB 9 to split one of the two resulting lots.

You would not be able to split both new lots with SB 9, because the same person (or anyone acting in concert with the same person) cannot use SB 9 to split adjacent properties.

When performing a lot split, each resulting lot must have street access via direct frontage or a recorded easement. Some cities have specific requirements for street frontage and easements; refer to your local SB 9 ordinance.

Yes, you can split your lot if you have an ADU. However, the ADU will need to stay on the same lot as the existing house.

If there is an outstanding mortgage on your property, you will need to get written permission from your lender in the form of a partial release of mortgage.
If your lender won't agree to a partial release, you can refinance your mortgage with a different lender. Keep in mind that your lease terms and interest rates may change as a result of the refinance.

Yes, you can still use SB 9 on a former or current rental property. However, you may not demolish more than 25% of a house until it has been owner occupied or vacant for three years.