SB 79 — The Law That Could Triple Campbell's Population

active• campbell

No city in Santa Clara County faces a more proportionally dramatic impact from Senate Bill 79, the new state transit-oriented housing law effective July 1, 2026, than Campbell. Campbell — covering just 6.5 square miles with a population of about 43,000 — has three VTA light rail stations within its boundaries, meaning SB 79's half-mile radius applies to the Winchester, Downtown, and Hamilton/Bascom stations. The result is staggering: Campbell could theoretically add 40,000 homes under SB 79 — more than tripling the city's current population — with no city official able to block high-rise apartment construction based on local zoning rules. City staff have noted that no other city in Santa Clara County is projected to have nearly 25% of its land area affected by SB 79, and in terms of proportional impact relative to existing housing units, Campbell may experience the highest increase of any city in the region. The City Council is working urgently to develop a local response plan before the law takes effect.

Related cause: Density / upzoning

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