San Francisco is undergoing a major shift in its housing approval process due to the implementation of SB 423. The new state law, spearheaded by Senator Scott Wiener, aims to streamline the housing permit process, reducing the median wait time for permits from 620 days to one of the shortest in California. SB 423 eliminates the need for most proposed housing projects to receive approval from the Planning Commission, thus bypassing the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. This change is expected to significantly reduce the financial and social costs associated with the city's lengthy approval process. Mayor London Breed and other pro-housing supporters have celebrated this development, highlighting its potential to expedite the construction of new homes in San Francisco. The majority of housing projects will now be eligible for over-the-counter approval, making San Francisco the first city in California to implement this law.
