Why CA Is Known for Such Strict Development Regulations

California is known for its stringent development regulations. This isn’t anything new. The state has always been a challenging place to build and develop. The guidelines are aimed at protecting the state’s natural resources, but they are also tied to a suburban—rather than big city—mindset, according to Sonnet Hui, general manager and VP of Project Management Advisors. She has worked through the regulations for years, and understands the ins and outs.

“There’s a long history of trying to protect the state’s unique natural beauty and resources and rightly so,” Hui tells GlobeSt.com. “We have nearly every biome on the planet and the unique challenges that go along with them, from forest fires to coastal erosion and seismic activity. Perhaps more than other states, we feel the effects of climate change and enact rules to attempt to combat it. Ultimately, the regulations are in place to protect the state and the people who live and work here.”

The suburban mindset in California also plays a big role in the regulations, and are a stark difference to other states and major metros. “Outside of the major cities and their immediate neigborhoods, which are much denser than those elsewhere in the country, people want space and large backyards,” says Hui. “They’ve put land use restrictions in place to prevent major developments from encroaching on their property and their lifestyle.”

However, Hui says that some of these ideas about development and the regulations are outdated. “In the past, there has been a mentality that all development is bad, that it increases traffic congestion, noise and pollution. But there are also ways development can help address the state’s most-pressing challenges, from congestion to affordable housing,” says Hui. “That requires looking at what laws are on the books and how they show up in the real world.”

Downtown Los Angeles is a perfect example of changing development mindset and guidelines to create a more modern city. “Downtown Los Angeles has become much more development-friendly over the past ten years, with a focus on transit-oriented projects that encourage the use of public transportation, rather than private vehicles,” says Hui. “There has to be a balance between protecting what’s here and building for the population needs now and in the future.”