SCAG Updates SB 79 Map for West Hollywood Stations

New mapping reflects planned transit projects while housing disputes continue in neighboring Beverly Hills.

Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in City Hall

Isometric editorial illustration of geometric transit platforms and dense building blocks in matte primary colors.
The Southern California Association of Governments released updated SB 79 maps, incorporating new transit stations for West Hollywood’s planned development density zones. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Southern California Association of Governments released an updated SB 79 map on October 29, 2026, including three proposed transit stations in West Hollywood. The move follows state housing challenges regarding development calculations in the region.

Why it matters

State housing officials directed the mapping update to incorporate the K Line Northern Extension, directly impacting development density zones. Meanwhile, challenges to local planning policies have created ongoing uncertainty for housing production in the area.

The updated map designates Tier 2 development zones extending a half-mile from proposed stations at Santa Monica Boulevard and San Vicente, Fairfax, and La Brea avenues. State officials allege a deficit of 2,935 housing units in Beverly Hills planning.

The players

Southern California Association of Governments

This regional planning agency serves as the metropolitan planning organization for six Southern California counties.

Beverly Hills City Council

This governing body manages municipal operations and local land-use policies for the city of Beverly Hills.

West Hollywood City Council

This municipal council holds legislative authority over city zoning and transit development projects in West Hollywood.

The details

The SCAG mapping replaced platform approximations with precise pedestrian access points for projects with active construction drawings. Simultaneously, the Beverly Hills City Council initiated the repeal of its Transit-Oriented Development Alternative Plan on October 20 due to intense state scrutiny regarding density-bonus interpretations.

Timeline

  1. October 20, 2026: Beverly Hills City Council directed staff to repeal its transit plan.

  2. October 29, 2026: SCAG released the updated SB 79 map incorporating West Hollywood stations.

  3. November 3, 2026: West Hollywood holds an election for three City Council seats.

Political Context

This map update aligns local planning with the state of California's SB 79 housing and transit mapping requirements. It marks a departure from previous local autonomy as state regulators aggressively enforce transit-oriented development mandates across Southern California municipalities.

Residents in West Hollywood may see new density-bonus projects proposed within a half-mile of the three designated transit stations. These changes directly impact local housing inventory and future neighborhood development standards as state mandates take precedence.

The takeaway

The intersection of state housing mandates and local transit planning remains a flashpoint for municipal leadership across the region. Voters should track how upcoming council elections influence the balance between transit-oriented density and existing local zoning.

What happens next

West Hollywood voters will head to the polls on November 3, 2026, to elect three City Council members, which may influence the city's future approach to transit-oriented development planning.

Further reading

Learn more about local land-use policies in our California City Hall section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by WEHOonline.

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Should local cities have the authority to override state-mandated housing development standards?