Housing developments: urban lot splits: historical resources.

Assembly Member Quirk-Silva's housing development legislation refines California's ministerial approval requirements for residential projects and urban lot splits, with particular focus on historical resource protections. The bill modifies existing law by specifying that ministerial review applies only to developments outside contributing structures within historic districts or individually listed historical resources.

For housing developments containing up to two residential units, local agencies must now consider applications ministerially when located outside historically designated areas and meeting specific criteria. The legislation authorizes agencies to adopt objective standards for maintaining historical value in districts listed in the California Register of Historical Resources. For urban lot splits, ministerial approval is required for parcels outside historic landmark properties, provided the split would not necessitate demolition or alteration of contributing structures in historic districts.

The measure maintains core provisions requiring 60-day application processing, prohibiting standards that would preclude two-unit developments or units under 800 square feet, and mandating rental terms exceeding 30 days. Local agencies retain authority to impose objective zoning and design standards that do not conflict with these requirements. The bill preserves existing protections for rent-controlled housing and recently occupied units while adding specifications around historical preservation in the development process.