From window replacements to ADUs to HOA reserves, the new laws could change what it costs to fix up, sell, or buy a home across San Diego County, just as mortgage rates sit above 7%.
What Sacramento Just Signed That Touches Your Home
According to the Governor’s September 29 announcement, the package includes several bills that hit homeowners directly:
- SB 908 streamlines local approvals for residential window retrofits and removes HOA restrictions on energy-code-compliant window replacements.
- AB 956 modifies the rules for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and junior ADUs.
- AB 1751, the Missing Middle Townhome Ownership Act, creates streamlined approval pathways for qualifying townhome developments.
- AB 2050 addresses reserve account requirements for HOAs and other common interest developments.
- AB 1621 tightens permit deadlines by limiting repeated plan-check reviews.
The state also signed SB 344, which streamlines environmental review for the Sports Arena site redevelopment: a project with at least 4,250 homes, including 2,000 affordable homes. That is a big deal for Point Loma, Midway and Bay Park. The governor’s office says streamlining laws since 2019 have cut the average time from application to entitlement by 57%, from 160 days to 68 days.
Why Window Upgrades Matter in San Diego’s Older Neighborhoods
San Diego has a lot of older housing stock: Craftsman bungalows in North Park and South Park, mid-century ranches in Clairemont and Kensington, and condos and townhomes from the 1980s and 1990s across Mira Mesa, University City and Rancho Bernardo. Many of those homes still have original single-pane or aging aluminum windows.
SB 908 is most useful for condo and townhome owners, who have often been stuck waiting on HOA approval for an energy-efficient window swap. Faster approvals make it easier to modernize a unit before listing it. Updating windows is also a classic curb-appeal and comfort upgrade, and it pairs well with the exterior projects that Zonda’s Cost vs. Value research has tracked for years.
The Market These Laws Land In
The timing is interesting. The California Association of Realtors’ August report shows the San Diego region’s median price at $1,090,000, up 6.3% from a year earlier, with 3.1 months of unsold inventory and a median of just 19 days on market, down from 27 days in August 2025. Statewide, the median was $901,420, essentially flat year over year (+0.1%).
Meanwhile, Freddie Mac reported the 30-year fixed rate averaged 7.03% on September 24, up from 6.95% a week earlier and 6.30% a year ago. Freddie Mac’s chief economist Sam Khater noted that the housing market remains supported by a solid labor market and a growing economy.
What does that mean in practice? San Diego homes are still moving quickly, but higher rates make every dollar of monthly cost count. Sellers who invest in efficiency and condition upgrades, and buyers who understand HOA reserve rules before they fall in love with a condo, will negotiate from a stronger position.
What to Do Next
- Sellers: Before you list, ask which small upgrades (windows, doors, exterior touch-ups) will move the needle in your neighborhood, and which are not worth the cost.
- Condo and townhome buyers: Review the HOA’s reserve study and budget carefully. With AB 2050 signed, reserve requirements are getting more attention.
- ADU-minded owners: Talk to a local professional about how AB 956 and San Diego’s own ADU rules affect your lot before you draw up plans.
Thinking about buying, selling, or finding out what your San Diego home is worth after these changes? Reach out to Aaron at trulysd.com for a no-pressure conversation and a customized look at your neighborhood’s numbers. Whether you are eyeing a North Park bungalow, a Clairemont ranch, or a Point Loma home near the Midway redevelopment, let’s talk about what these new laws mean for your move.
Sources: California Governor’s Office; California Association of Realtors; Freddie Mac; Zonda Cost vs. Value.
