Encinitas, California, reportedly permitted more new apartments in the past year than the city has collectively approved in the approximately 40 years since federal permitting reporting began, according to a recent tweet by M. Nolan Gray. This significant increase is attributed to the escalating impact of California's state housing legislation designed to address the statewide housing shortage.
The surge in apartment permits reflects Encinitas's ongoing efforts to align its local zoning and housing requirements with recent state mandates. Laws such as Assembly Bill 2011 (AB 2011), Senate Bill 6 (SB 6), Senate Bill 35 (SB 35), and Senate Bill 330 (SB 330) aim to streamline the building process, encourage higher-density development, and overcome local barriers to housing construction. These legislative changes compel cities to review residential developments based on objective standards rather than subjective criteria.
Encinitas city officials have been actively updating zoning regulations and the Local Coastal Program to comply with these state bills. For instance, AB 2011, known as "The Affordable Housing High Road Jobs Act," and SB 6, both enacted in 2022, facilitate high-density, multi-family housing projects, particularly in commercial areas. Developers are increasingly expressing interest in building in these newly accessible zones.
The city is currently reviewing a "wave" of new multi-family housing projects, including what is projected to be the largest apartment complex in Encinitas's history along Quail Gardens Drive. This influx of development has also spurred discussions among residents and city officials regarding related concerns, such as street parking and infrastructure. The dramatic rise in permitted units underscores the profound influence of state-level housing policy on local development patterns and the broader housing supply in California.