Can CEQA Reform Help San Mateo County Build More Homes—Faster?

In our last blog, “Can San Mateo County Build Its Way Out of the Housing Crisis?”, we explored how cities across the county are being asked to permit nearly 48,000 new homes by 2031—a dramatic increase from previous targets.

The need is clear. The land is limited. The plans are in place.

But one major obstacle has consistently stood in the way: actually getting homes built.

That may finally be changing. Thanks to a sweeping overhaul of CEQA—California’s cornerstone environmental review law—cities and developers may now have a faster, clearer path to turning housing plans into real homes.

What Is CEQA—and Why Has It Slowed Housing?

The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) was created with good intentions: to protect communities from developments that might harm the environment. But over the years, it’s often become a tool to delay or block housing projects altogether.

Here's how CEQA has slowed progress:

• Lengthy reviews can delay housing for years
  
  
• Lawsuits (often filed under CEQA) can be used to stop even environmentally sound, infill housing
  
  
• High costs and red tape make smaller or affordable developments especially hard to pull off

What’s Changing—and Why It Matters Now

In a rare bipartisan move, California leaders just reformed CEQA to streamline the approval process for critical housing and infrastructure projects.

Some of the most impactful changes include:

• Shorter deadlines for CEQA lawsuits to be resolved

• Streamlined review for infill and affordable housing projects

• Faster court decisions for approved plans that meet certain environmental and density criteria

In short, these changes make it much easier for cities and developers to actually break ground on much-needed housing—especially in urban and transit-friendly areas like San Mateo, Redwood City, and South San Francisco.

How Does This Affect Homeowners?

If you're a homeowner, you might be asking: How does this affect me?

The short answer: It could help stabilize future price growth without undercutting your property’s value.

Here’s why:

• Most development will be targeted near transit, not in existing single-family neighborhoods

• More streamlined production helps meet demand gradually, rather than letting it bottleneck and boil over (which often leads to policy overcorrections)

• A healthier housing pipeline prevents volatility, keeping the market balanced and supporting long-term value for both existing and future owners

Bottom Line: Less Red Tape, More Real Progress

The state has set big housing goals. San Mateo County has a long way to go to meet them. But now—with CEQA reform in motion—we’re finally seeing signs that the path from “plan” to “built” might get a little smoother.

It’s not about unchecked development. It’s about smart, targeted growth—and making sure the process to get there doesn’t stand in its own way.

If we want to preserve the character, stability, and opportunity of our neighborhoods, we’ll need to build a little smarter—and now, we might actually be able to do it.

Thinking of making a move? Let’s talk strategy.
Whether you’re buying, selling, or just exploring your options, I'm here to help you navigate the market with confidence.Let’s connect and talk about how homeownership can benefit you in today’s market! Email me at kevin@pickettrealestategroup.com or call me at 415.283.7919 

San Mateo County Rolling 3-Month Data

Below, our data is based on averages for Single-family homes in San Mateo County over the last 90 days (April 2025 to June 2025). This data was gathered on June 30, 2025. 

San Mateo County Market Report

Thinking of selling? 

I'd love to discuss your home's value and positioning in the current market. Call or text Kevin at 415.283.7919 or email Kevin at Kevin@PickettRealEstateGroup.com