A Los Angeles judge has struck down SB9, the California state law that allows homeowners to split single-family lots and build duplexes, ruling the law unconstitutional. With respect to the declared statewide concern of ensuring access to affordable housing, the broad requirement of ministerial approval of duplexes and urban lot splits does not contain any connection to affordable housing,” said the ruling. “Under SB 9, charter cities would be required to approve additional housing development in single-family zoned land, but any additional housing resulting therefrom would not necessarily be below market rate or accessible to people with lower financial means, especially in economically prosperous cities.