The state recently approved Beverly Hills' housing element, bringing a contentious situation to a close. Most other housing elements have also been approved and the state is negotiating with the remaining cities and counties to reach agreement.

The affluent San Gabriel Valley city has asserted that late passage of its housing element might protect the city from the builder's remedy, even without HCD approval (which could come soon). But a pending project may be permitted to move forward.

Most developers have been trying to get their projects approved for years. Some are adding multifamily affordable units to single-family projects in order to qualify.