AB 2553 (Chapter 275, Statutes of 2024)

CEQA exempts residential projects on infill sites and transit priority projects that meet certain requirements, including a requirement that the projects are within 0.5 mile of a major transit stop. CEQA defines “major transit stop” to include, among other locations, the intersection of two or more major bus routes with a frequency-of-service interval of 15 minutes or fewer during the morning and afternoon peak commute periods. This bill would amend PRC 21064.3 to increase the frequency of service interval to 20 minutes.

AB 2553 would amend Government Code Section 66005.1, which limits the traffic impact fees that can be imposed on transit priority projects to provide that such fees can be levied on qualifying projects located within a transit priority area and the major transit stop, if planned, programmed to be completed before or within 1 year from the scheduled completion and occupancy of the housing development. AB 2553 would prohibit an agency from imposing a land dedication requirement on a housing development pursuant to Section 66001 to widen a roadway if the land dedication requirement is for the purpose of mitigating vehicular traffic impacts, achieving an adopted traffic

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Association of Environmental Professionals 2025

Summary of Key 2024 CEQA Legislation

level of service related to vehicular traffic, or achieving a desired roadway width. Notwithstanding this limitation, a local agency may do any of the following:

• (A) Impose a land dedication requirement on a housing development if both of the following conditions are met:

  • (i) The housing development is not located in a transit priority area.

  • (ii) The housing development has a linear street frontage of 500 feet or more.

• (B) Discretionarily impose a land dedication requirement as a condition of approval of a specific housing development project for traffic safety features if the local agency makes a finding, specific to the housing development project and supported by substantial evidence, that the land dedication requirement is necessary to preserve the health, safety, and welfare of the public, including pedestrians, cyclists, and children.

• (C) Impose a land dedication requirement to construct public improvements, including, but not limited to, sidewalk and sewer improvements.

This bill would also amend PRC Section 21064.3 to increase the allowable headway for bus service to major transit stop from 15 minutes to 20 minutes.