SB79 IN OUR COMMUNITY: SCAG Publishes Final Transit Node Map

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SB79 IN OUR COMMUNITY: SCAG Publishes Final Transit Node Map

Featured, LA Planning, Missing Middle, SB79, TOD, Transit-Oriented Development, Zoning Ordinance

WHAT’S UP?

State law SB79 took effect on July 1, 2026. It requires California cities with high-frequency transit stops to approve higher-density housing development proximate to those top-tier transit locations. On October 29, 2026, SCAG published their final (official) SB79 transit map. In Westchester-Playa, these are the transit nodes confirmed for SB79 up-zoning.

Note: Previously there were Westchester-Playa constituent concerns that transit stops along Lincoln Boulevard (coming south from Venice towards LAX) might also be included in SB79 transit up-zoning. However, to date there are no qualifying rapid transit buses or dedicated bus lanes on Lincoln Boulevard. Therefore, Lincoln Boulevard bus stops are not included in the SB79 up-zoning mandate.

WHO DECIDED THESE OFFICIAL SB79 TRANSIT-ORIENTED UP-ZONING LOCATIONS?

Here in Los Angeles, the official decision for which exact transit stops qualify as “must comply” with SB79 increased density zoning is a decision owned by the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG). Information about their methodology for selecting SB79-qualified transit zones is available on their website.

SB79 UP-ZONING NEAR TRANSIT STOPS: HOW DOES IT WORK?

According to the official SCAG map, Westchester’s Veteran’s Metro Station (K Line) stop qualifies as a Tier 2 (light rail) transit node. This means different up-zoning (max building) specs apply based on how far a land parcel is from the station itself. SB79 transit up-zoning is based on radius measurements from the actual transit stop, and different building maximums apply based on where a parcel is located relative to that stop.

According to the LA Planning Department’s Fact Sheet, here are the max building specs for future development, based on how close a land parcel is to the station itself.

However, it’s important to remember: because a parcel has been up-zoned does not mean that parcel is REQUIRED to be built out to a higher density by the current or future owner.

Also important: we now have “missing middle” new zoning coming in LA which gives current or future owners lower density options to add units on their land, but not at the higher-density scale shown here.