California stands at a pivotal juncture in 2025, confronting an array of environmental and housing challenges. As usual, the California State Legislature is considering numerous strategies to address these issues. This year’s LUENR Update explores these developments, examining their implications for California’s environmental resilience and housing landscape.
The state has experienced devastating wildfires, notably in the Los Angeles area, where over 60,000 acres burned in January, resulting in the destruction of more than 16,250 structures. As rebuilding begins, communities face the dual challenge of restoring infrastructure while addressing long-term environmental risks.
Simultaneously, California is advancing its commitment to environmental conservation through updates to species protections and water law reforms. Efforts to modernize infrastructure are evident in the state’s push towards renewable energy, with significant investments in battery storage projects and the implementation of stringent climate reporting requirements for corporations.
On the housing front, the California State Legislature introduced a “Fast Track Housing” package that started with more than 20 bills “aimed at making housing more affordable by slashing red tape, removing uncertainty, and drastically diminishing the time it takes to get new housing approved and built.” The legislative package was based in part on the recommendations made by the Assembly Select Committee on Permitting Reform. The majority of the bills continue to progress through the legislative process relatively unscathed, with the exception of two bills introduced by Senator Wiener pertaining to CEQA reform (SB 607) and amendments to existing laws pertaining to streamlined ministerial approval of housing development projects (SB 677). Those bills are effectively dead, but CEQA reform provisions could be included in budget “trailer” bills by Governor Newsom, who has declared his support for SB 607.
Throughout the year, we look forward to offering updates on new decisions and policies as they arise, including in our weekly newsletters – California Environmental Law & Policy Update, Renewable Energy Update, and Sustainable Development & Land Use Update. Please do not hesitate to contact the authors of any of these articles should something pique your interest.
2025
Land Use,
Environmental, & Natural Resources
Update
Introduction
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NATURAL RESOURCES
LA WILDFIRES
AUTHORS
NATURAL RESOURCES
AUTHORS
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Natural Resources
Significant Changes to the National Environmental
Policy Act
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Significant Changes to the National Environmental
Policy Act
LAND USE
Recent Amendments to the Surplus Land Act
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Recent Amendments to the Surplus Land Act
LAND USE
Changes to the California Environmental Quality Act
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Changes to the California Environmental Quality Act
LAND USE
Water Law
Every Drop Counts: Urban Water Retailers and the Future of California Water Conservation
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Every Drop Counts: Urban Water Retailers and the Future of California Water Conservation
WATER LAW
DWR and Water Board Propose Key Updates to Desalination Policy
Framework
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DWR and Water Board Propose Key Updates to Desalination Policy
Framework
WATER LAW
Every Drop Counts: Urban Water Retailers and the Future of California Water Conservation
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Every Drop Counts: Urban Water Retailers and the Future of California Water Conservation
WATER LAW
DWR and Water Board Propose Key Updates to Desalination Policy
Framework
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DWR and Water Board Propose Key Updates to Desalination Policy
Framework
WATER LAW
Infrastructure & Permitting
Legislature’s Report Captures California’s Permitting Reform Zeitgeist and Creates the Launchpad for More Than
20 New Housing Bills
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Legislature’s Report Captures California’s Permitting Reform Zeitgeist and Creates the Launchpad for More Than
20 New Housing Bills
INFRASTRUCTURE & PERMITTING
City of Los Angeles Approves New Ordinances to Encourage Housing Development
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City of Los Angeles Approves New Ordinances to Encourage Housing Development
INFRASTRUCTURE & PERMITTING
Legislature’s Report Captures California’s Permitting Reform Zeitgeist and Creates the Launchpad for More Than
20 New Housing Bills
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Legislature’s Report Captures California’s Permitting Reform Zeitgeist and Creates the Launchpad for More Than
20 New Housing Bills
INFRASTRUCTURE & PERMITTING
City of Los Angeles Approves New Ordinances to Encourage Housing Development
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City of Los Angeles Approves New Ordinances to Encourage Housing Development
INFRASTRUCTURE & PERMITTING
Evaluating Changes In Industrial Regulation: 2024 And Beyond
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Evaluating Changes In Industrial Regulation: 2024 And Beyond
INDUSTRIAL
State And Regional Efforts To Address Environmental Impacts Of Warehouses And Distribution Uses
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State And Regional Efforts To Address Environmental Impacts Of Warehouses And Distribution Uses
INDUSTRIAL
WATER LAW
INDUSTRIAL
INFRASTRUCTURE & PERMITTING
WATER LAW
INDUSTRIAL
INFRASTRUCTURE & PERMITTING
Contributing Authors
MEGHAN CLARK Associate
mclark@allenmatkins.com 213-955-5673
korI anderson Associate
kanderson@allenmatkins.com 310-788-2419
RYAN CHEN Associate
rchen@allenmatkins.com 213-955-5624
AMARVEER BRAR Associate
abrar@allenmatkins.com 310-788-2415
BENJAMIN BROWN Associate
bsbrown@allenmatkins.com 619-235-1546
caroline chase Partner
cchase@allenmatkins.com 415-273-7455
MATTHEW FOGT Partner
mfogt@allenmatkins.com 949-851-5453
SHAWN cobb Partner
scobb@allenmatkins.com 619-235-1550
nicholas dubroff Partner
ndubroff@allenmatkins.com 415-273-7433
barry epstein Partner
bepstein@allenmatkins.com 415-273-7469
PAIGE GOSNEY Partner
pgosney@allenmatkins.com 949-851-5444
Jennifer jeffers Senior Counsel
jjeffers@allenmatkins.com 415-273-8417
TIMOTHY HUTTER Partner
thutter@allenmatkins.com 619-235-1510
SPENCER KALLICK Partner
skallick@allenmatkins.com 310-788-2417
david osias Partner
dosias@allenmatkins.com 619-235-1526
dana palmer Partner
dpalmer@allenmatkins.com 213-955-5613
MADISON MONTAGUE Associate
mmontague@allenmatkins.com 949-851-5487
TARA PAUL Senior Counsel
tpaul@allenmatkins.com 213-955-5667
CAROLINE PARKS Associate
cparks@allenmatkins.com 213-955-5671
MATTHEW NICHOLS Associate
mnichols@allenmatkins.com 949-851-5576
JONATHAN SHARDLOW Partner
jshardlow@allenmatkins.com 949-851-5422
Laura TEPPER Associate
ltepper@allenmatkins.com 415-273-8401
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HOUSING
HOUSING
RENEWABLES, ENERGY & CLIMATE
RENEWABLES, ENERGY & CLIMATE
Los Angeles Fires
Rebuilding After Wildfires:
The Role of the California Coastal Commission
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Rebuilding After Wildfires: The Role of the California Coastal Commission
LOS ANGELES FIRES
Air District Asbestos Rule Will Affect Demolition Activities for Facilities Damaged by the Los Angeles Wildfires
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Air District Asbestos Rule Will Affect Demolition Activities for Facilities Damaged by the Los Angeles Wildfires
LOS ANGELES FIRES
Rebuilding After Wildfires: The Role of the California Coastal Commission
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Rebuilding After Wildfires: The Role of the California Coastal Commission
LOS ANGELES FIRES
Air District Asbestos Rule Will Affect Demolition Activities for Facilities Damaged by the Los Angeles Wildfires
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Air District Asbestos Rule Will Affect Demolition Activities for Facilities Damaged by the Los Angeles Wildfires
LOS ANGELES FIRES
Birds, Trees, and Bees – Oh My! Practical Guidance for Addressing Candidate Species in CEQA Analysis
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Birds, Trees, and Bees – Oh My! Practical Guidance for Addressing Candidate Species in CEQA Analysis
NATURAL RESOURCES
Natural Resources Updates
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Natural Resources Updates
NATURAL RESOURCES
Birds, Trees, and Bees – Oh My! Practical Guidance for Addressing Candidate Species in CEQA Analysis
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Birds, Trees, and Bees – Oh My! Practical Guidance for Addressing Candidate Species in CEQA Analysis
NATURAL RESOURCES
Natural Resources Updates
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Natural Resources Updates
NATURAL RESOURCES
Recently Effective & Pending State Housing Laws
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Recently Effective & Pending State Housing Laws
HOUSING
Court of Appeal Upholds Transit-Oriented Development Surrounding Los Angeles’s Expo Line
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Court of Appeal Upholds Transit-Oriented Development Surrounding Los Angeles’s Expo Line
HOUSING
Western Burrowing Owl’s CESA Candidacy Triggers
New Compliance Obligations for Developers
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Western Burrowing Owl’s CESA Candidacy Triggers
New Compliance Obligations for Developers
NATURAL RESOURCES
Beyond Sackett: California’s Expanding Role in Wetlands Permitting and the Future of “Waters of the State”
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Beyond Sackett: California’s Expanding Role in Wetlands Permitting and the Future of “Waters of the State”
NATURAL RESOURCES
Western Burrowing Owl’s CESA Candidacy Triggers
New Compliance Obligations for Developers
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Western Burrowing Owl’s CESA Candidacy Triggers
New Compliance Obligations for Developers
NATURAL RESOURCES
Beyond Sackett: California’s Expanding Role in Wetlands Permitting and the Future of “Waters of the State”
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Beyond Sackett: California’s Expanding Role in Wetlands Permitting and the Future of “Waters of the State”
NATURAL RESOURCES
San Diego City Council Proposes to Limit Applicability of Successful
ADU Bonus Program
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San Diego City Council Proposes to Limit Applicability of Successful
ADU Bonus Program
INFRASTRUCTURE & PERMITTING
SB 937: Deferral of Residential Development Impact Fees
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SB 937: Deferral of Residential Development Impact Fees
INFRASTRUCTURE & PERMITTING
San Diego City Council Proposes to Limit Applicability of Successful
ADU Bonus Program
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San Diego City Council Proposes to Limit Applicability of Successful
ADU Bonus Program
INFRASTRUCTURE & PERMITTING
SB 937: Deferral of Residential Development Impact Fees
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SB 937: Deferral of Residential Development Impact Fees
INFRASTRUCTURE & PERMITTING
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renewAbles, energy & climate
California Continues to Promote Clean Energy Transition Despite Federal Backstepping on Clean Energy and Hydrogen Funding
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California Continues to Promote Clean Energy Transition Despite Federal Backstepping on Clean Energy and Hydrogen Funding
RENEWABLES, ENERGY & CLIMATE
California Battery Energy Storage Update
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California Battery Energy Storage Updatee
RENEWABLES, ENERGY & CLIMATE
California's New Climate- Related Disclosure Laws: Requirements, Compliance Costs, and Deadlines for Impacted Businesses
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California's New Climate-Related Disclosure Laws: Requirements, Compliance Costs, and Deadlines for Impacted Businesses
RENEWABLES, ENERGY & CLIMATE
California's New Climate- Related Disclosure Laws: Requirements, Compliance Costs, and Deadlines for Impacted Businesses
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California's New Climate- Related Disclosure Laws: Requirements, Compliance Costs, and Deadlines for Impacted Businesses
RENEWABLES, ENERGY & CLIMATE
California Continues to Promote Clean Energy Transition Despite Federal Backstepping on Clean Energy and Hydrogen Funding
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California Continues to Promote Clean Energy Transition Despite Federal Backstepping on Clean Energy and Hydrogen Funding
RENEWABLES, ENERGY & CLIMATE
California Battery Energy Storage Update
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California Battery Energy Storage Update
RENEWABLES, ENERGY & CLIMATE
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industrial
Recently Effective & Pending State Citizen Suit Enforcement Under the Industrial General Permit: How Businesses Can Avoid Substantial Costs Associated with Notice Letters Laws
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Citizen Suit Enforcement Under the Industrial General Permit: How Businesses Can Avoid Substantial Costs Associated with Notice Letters
INDUSTRIAL
Challenging the Industrial Exodus: Legal Lessons f rom Santa Ana’s Planning Reboot
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Challenging the Industrial Exodus: Legal Lessons f rom Santa Ana’s Planning Reboot
INDUSTRIAL
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Citizen Suit Enforcement Under the Industrial General Permit: How Businesses Can Avoid Substantial Costs Associated with Notice Letters
INDUSTRIAL
Challenging the Industrial Exodus: Legal Lessons f rom Santa Ana’s Planning Reboot
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Challenging the Industrial Exodus: Legal Lessons f rom Santa Ana’s Planning Reboot
INDUSTRIAL
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housing
Pending State Housing Laws: New CEQA Exemptions and Expanded Opportunities for Streamlined Ministerial Approval
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Pending State Housing Laws: New CEQA Exemptions and Expanded Opportunities for Streamlined Ministerial Approval
HOUSING
Pending State Housing Law: High-Density Transit-Oriented Development Projects
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Pending State Housing Law: High-Density Transit-Oriented Development Projects
HOUSING
Pending State Housing Laws: Expedited Approval of Post-Entitlement Permits
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Pending State Housing Laws: Expedited Approval of Post-Entitlement Permits
HOUSING
Pending State Housing Laws: Rebuilding After a Natural Disaster
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Pending State Housing Laws: Rebuilding After a Natural Disaster
HOUSING
Pending State Housing Laws: Expedited Approval of Post-Entitlement Permits
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Pending State Housing Laws: Expedited Approval of Post-Entitlement Permits
HOUSING
Pending State Housing Laws: Rebuilding After a Natural Disaster
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Pending State Housing Laws: Rebuilding After a Natural Disaster
HOUSING
Pending State Housing Laws: New CEQA Exemptions and Expanded Opportunities for Streamlined Ministerial Approval
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Pending State Housing Laws: New CEQA Exemptions and Expanded Opportunities for Streamlined Ministerial Approval
HOUSING
Pending State Housing Law: High-Density Transit-Oriented Development Projects
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Pending State Housing Law: High-Density Transit-Oriented Development Projects
HOUSING
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Pending State Housing Laws: State Housing Element Law Amendments and New Developer Protections
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Pending State Housing Laws: State Housing Element Law Amendments and New Developer Protections
HOUSING
Other Pending State
Housing Laws
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Other Pending State
Housing Laws
HOUSING
Recent Amendments to Affordable Housing and High Roads Job Act of 2022 (AB 2011)
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Recent Amendments to Affordable Housing and High Roads Job Act of 2022 (AB 2011)
HOUSING
SB 684 and SB 1123: Recent Amendments to the Starter Home Revitalization Act
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SB 684 and SB 1123: Recent Amendments to the Starter Home Revitalization Act
HOUSING
Recent Amendments to Affordable Housing and High Roads Job Act of 2022 (AB 2011)
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Recent Amendments to Affordable Housing and High Roads Job Act of 2022 (AB 2011)
HOUSING
SB 684 and SB 1123: Recent Amendments to the Starter Home Revitalization Act
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SB 684 and SB 1123: Recent Amendments to the Starter Home Revitalization Act
HOUSING
Pending State Housing Laws: State Housing Element Law Amendments and New Developer Protections
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Pending State Housing Laws: State Housing Element Law Amendments and New Developer Protections
HOUSING
Other Pending State
Housing Laws
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Other Pending State
Housing Laws
HOUSING
Now Effective: Builder’s Remedy 2.0
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Now Effective: Builder’s Remedy 2.0
HOUSING
Now Effective: Builder’s Remedy 2.0
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Now Effective: Builder’s Remedy 2.0
HOUSING
e. bo peterson Associate
bopeterson@allenmatkins.com 619-235-1529
ZACHARY REGO Associate
zrego@allenmatkins.com 415-273-7483
LINDSAY TABAIAN Partner
ltabaian@allenmatkins.com 213-955-5597
ALLYSON THOMPSON Associate
athompson@allenmatkins.com 949-851-5554
SARA WOLF Associate
sarawolf@allenmatkins.com 310-788-2449
JORDAN WRIGHT Associate
jwright@allenmatkins.com 415-273-7439
