SCAG Regional Council Approves SB 79 Approach and Methodology

The SCAG Regional Council approved the approach and methodology for the Senate Bill (SB) 79 mapping requirement at its July meeting. 

SB 79 aims to accelerate transit-oriented housing production by establishing statewide standards to streamline housing development near qualifying transit stops. The legislation directs each metropolitan planning organization (MPO) in California to develop and maintain an official SB79 map identifying qualifying stops, zones, and tiers for transit-oriented development (TOD). SB 79 became operative on July 1, and SCAG’s “SB 79 TOD Stops, Zones, and Tiers Map” for the SCAG region is now available online. 

SCAG’s “SB 79 TOD Stops, Zones, and Tiers Map” identifies qualifying transit stops, transit-oriented development zones, and tier classifications based on service characteristics in qualifying urban transit counties. The map provides a consistent and transparent regional dataset to support implementation of SB 79 in the SCAG region. 

SCAG continues to collaborate with impacted jurisdictions, transit operators, and other interested parties to review relevant data and incorporate verified updates to the “SB79 TOD Stops, Zones, and Tiers Map.” SCAG posted a map with verified updates on July 1, but an additional map update will be posted in the future due to the complexity of the process needed to review and verify relevant data. 

The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) provided guidance, “SB 79 Advisory Clarifications on Definitions for Metropolitan Planning Organizations,” in March 2026, which SCAG used to inform its approach and methodology for the region’s SB 79 map. SCAG also worked closely with HCD and state MPOs to support early SB 79 implementation planning and to inform HCD guidance on mapping directions, eligibility criteria, and statutory definitions. HCD will also be responsible for enforcing SB 79. 

The SCAG Community, Economic, and Housing Development (CEHD) committee voted to approve SCAG’s SB 79 approach and methodology at its June meeting. Following the CEHD committee meeting, SCAG staff held an information session for impacted Los Angeles County jurisdiction staff and transit operators to walk through the methodology, confirm the data used for the “SB 79 TOD Stops, Zones, and Tiers Map,” and identify corrections. SCAG also held office hours with impacted jurisdictions to answer additional questions. 

According to state guidance and the language of SB 79, Los Angeles County is currently the only urban transit county in the SCAG region. Orange County will become an urban transit county when the OC Streetcar opens for revenue service. Following the initial planned update, SCAG will update the “SB 79 TOD Stops, Zones, and Tiers Map” annually and when a county achieves classification as an urban transit county.