San Diego Church's Lawsuit Challenges Housing Project Denial Rules
Free Sacred Trinity Church sues San Diego over denied 150-unit housing project approval.
Why it matters: This lawsuit tests SB 4's application, affecting compliance for church-led housing projects amid California's housing crisis.
- The lawsuit claims the city misapplied environmental laws concerning SB 4.
- Initially proposed as 360 units, reduced to 150 units for compliance.
- SB 4 targets streamlining housing development on church and educational lands.
- Litigation outcome may influence future housing project regulations in California.
The Free Sacred Trinity Church has filed a lawsuit against the City of San Diego for rejecting its proposal to develop a 150-unit affordable housing complex. The lawsuit, submitted on April 2, 2026, contests the city’s interpretation of environmental regulations under California's SB 4, also called the Affordable Housing on Faith and Higher Education Lands Act.
SB 4 facilitates housing projects on properties owned by faith and educational institutions by providing streamlined approval and exemptions from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). However, the city asserts that these exemptions are limited, especially in environmentally sensitive zones.
Deputy City Attorney Jenny Goodman stated that while SB 4 offers some relief from CEQA, it requires detailed approvals in sensitive areas. The church initially proposed a 360-unit development, later adjusting to a single 150-unit building after the city raised concerns.
In court, Superior Court Judge Wendy Behan indicated that the documents provided by the church might not satisfy the requirements for automatic approval under SB 4. This case will likely serve as a pivotal reference for the housing rules under SB 4, particularly for initiatives by faith-based organizations in California.
This legal challenge could significantly impact how future church-led housing projects are evaluated under state legislation, shaping regulatory compliance and setting precedents.