Two of the most important laws that took effect in 2001 link development with water supply. Senate Bill 610 and Senate Bill 221 are not easy to understand but these two articles explain them in simple terms.

Don't miss our Groundwater Resources page. Gallons of information there.

Steven W. Weston and Paeter E. Garcia write:

"As many in the legal and development community already know, on October 9, 2001, Governor Gray Davis signed Senate Bill 221 (Kuehl) and Senate Bill 610 (Costa) into law. Effective January 1, 2002, SB 221 prohibits a city or county from approving development agreements, parcel maps or tentative tract maps for any subdivision with more than 500 dwelling units unless a sufficient water supply is, or will be, available for the subdivision . . . " MORE>>