SB-958 • 2026

California Environmental Quality Act: environmental impacts: building height.

Education

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Weber Pierson
Last action: 2026-06-01
Official status: Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on what happens if a project does not meet the conditions set by CEQA, nor does it specify how this change will affect other cities or projects outside of San Diego's Midway Rising Specific Plan.

California Environmental Quality Act: Building Height Exemption

SB-958 exempts certain projects in San Diego's Midway Rising Specific Plan from some parts of CEQA if they meet specific conditions, including those related to increased building height.

What This Bill Does

Exempts the Midway Rising Specific Plan project in San Diego from some parts of CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) if it meets specified conditions.
Prohibits considering environmental impacts associated with increased building height alone as significant under CEQA, provided that a project meets certain conditions.

Who It Names or Affects

The City of San Diego and its residents
Lead agencies responsible for approving development projects

Terms To Know

California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA): A California law that requires government agencies to look at the environmental effects before making decisions about new projects.
Midway Rising Specific Plan: A plan for development in San Diego, including building taller structures.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if a project does not meet the conditions set by CEQA.
It is unclear how this change will affect other cities or projects outside of San Diego's Midway Rising Specific Plan.

Bill History

2026-06-01 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.
2026-05-26 California Legislative Information
In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
2026-05-26 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 37. Noes 0.) Ordered to the Assembly.
2026-05-12 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2026-05-11 California Legislative Information
From committee: Be ordered to second reading pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8.
2026-05-04 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing May 11.
2026-04-30 California Legislative Information
May 4 hearing postponed by committee.
2026-04-24 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing May 4.
2026-04-22 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 7. Noes 0. Page 4013.) (April 22). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-04-16 California Legislative Information
From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on L. GOV.
2026-04-15 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on L. GOV. (Ayes 7. Noes 0. Page 3899.) (April 15). Re-referred to Com. on L. GOV.
2026-04-14 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing April 22 in L. GOV. pending receipt.
2026-04-09 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing April 15.
2026-04-08 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Coms. on E.Q. and L. GOV.
2026-03-24 California Legislative Information
From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on RLS.
2026-02-11 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on RLS.
2026-02-03 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 5.
2026-02-02 California Legislative Information
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Official Summary Text

SB 958, as amended, Weber Pierson.
California Environmental Quality Act:
exemption: City of San Diego: Midway Rising Specific Plan.
environmental impacts: building height.
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires a lead agency, as defined, to prepare, or cause to be prepared, and certify the completion of an environmental impact report on a project that it proposes to carry out or approve that may have a significant effect on the environment or to adopt a negative declaration if it finds that the project will not have that effect. CEQA also requires a lead agency to prepare a mitigated negative declaration for a project that may have a significant effect on the environment if revisions in the project would avoid or mitigate that effect and there is no substantial evidence that the project, as revised, would have a significant effect on the environment.
CEQA exempts from its requirements various activities and
projects.
This bill would exempt from the requirements of CEQA a project associated with the Midway Rising Specific Plan in the City of San Diego, including any activity or approval necessary for, or incidental to, development, planning, design, subdivision, financing, leasing, construction, operation, or maintenance, provided that the activity is carried out in substantial conformance with the plan and meets, or is consistent with, specified conditions, including conditions related to sustainability. Because a lead agency would be required to determine whether a project qualifies for this exemption, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the City of San Diego.
This bill would, for purposes of CEQA, prohibit the environmental impacts that are associated with increased building height alone from being considered significant impacts on the environment, if a project meets specified conditions, as provided. Because a lead agency would be required to determine if a project meets the specified conditions, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF