The bills were sponsored by California YIMBY, a pro-housing lobbying group[2][3] while they were opposed by local governments, anti-gentrification activists, and suburban homeowners.

[6] However, the 2021 California HOME Act (drafted by Weiner) and 2022 AB 2097 (drafted by Laura Friedman), both signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom, accomplished many of the same aims as SB 50, by allowing two secondary suites (known in California as "accessory dwelling units") per lot and banning parking minimums with a half-mile of transit stops, respectively.

[7][8] In 2008, Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill 375, which encourages transit-oriented development to reduce vehicle miles travelled in the state and to address climate change.

For example, in 2018, the LA County Metro Board of Directors created the Transit Oriented Communities (TOC) program after the passage of Measure JJJ in November 2016, which allows for land zoned for commercial development near transit stations to be developed into residential housing, with between 11 and 27 percent of units required to be reserved for affordable housing.

[12] Under SB 827, cities in California would have been required to permit residential buildings of up to 45 to 55 feet (14 to 17 m) in "transit rich" areas near train stations and bus stops.

[18] The first revisions to the bill were made in late February, adding pro-tenant provisions to prevent demolition of existing housing and other protections.

[3] In April 2018, the bill was amended to reduce the maximum height in "transit rich" areas to approximately four to five stories and remove bus stops with non-frequent service outside of peak periods.

[27][28] Wiener said he proposed Senate Bill 827 in part to alleviate the state's ongoing housing affordability crisis as well as to address carbon emissions generated by vehicles.

[34] The Sierra Club California opposed the bill, saying that denser housing near major transit lines would displace people from cities[35] and undermine plans for future commuter rail projects.

[4] A Los Angeles Times columnist said lawmakers from the greater Los Angeles area delegation were responsible for the demise of Senate Bill 50, and that the fight "had nothing to do with partisan politics" but instead was "all about geography"[47] while a Curbed columnist said opposition from a statewide coalition of affordable housing advocacy organizations was responsible for the defeat of Senate Bill 50.

[50] In 2016, California lawmakers removed local barriers to accessory dwelling unit (ADU) construction by passing Senate Bill 1069.

[51] In 2019, the law was updated with Assembly Bill 68 to allow up to 500 of the 1,200 square feet to be designated a "junior accessory dwelling unit"; some commentators said this amounted to de facto triplex zoning throughout the state.

It removes parking minimums for homes and commercial properties within one half-mile of public transit stations or in neighborhoods with low rates of car use.