California Air Resources Board

Sustainable Communities

California is creating sustainable communities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Sustainable communities have many other advantages. They are convenient and more economical for residents and workers. They make it easier to walk, bike and take transit. They reduce the cost burden of relying on cars for every trip. They are also healthier and more livable. These advantages come from coordinated planning for land use, housing, and transportation.

The SB 375 Program

Overview

Legal Basis

The 2008 Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act (Chapter 728, Stats. 2008) is often called SB 375. SB 375 works toward California's climate goals through planning for sustainable communities.

Regional Targets

SB 375 requires CARB to set regional targets for reducing passenger vehicle greenhouse gas emissions. The GHG emissions reduction targets are for years 2020 and 2035. Each of the 18 metropolitan planning organization (MPO) regions receives their own targets.

CARB has an option to update the regional targets every four years and must update them least every eight years. CARB first set targets in 2010 and updated them in 2018. CARB is undertaking an update of the targets for completion in 2026.

See the Regional Targets page for further information.

Sustainable Communities Strategies

SB 375 requires each MPO region to prepare a Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS) every four years. The SCS is part of the regional transportation plan required by federal and State law to prioritize transportation projects for funding. The SCS contains land use, housing, and transportation strategies. These strategies show how the region can achieve its emissions reduction targets.

CARB reviews the MPO’s adopted SCS and accepts or rejects the MPO's determination that the SCS, if implemented, would meet the targets. If CARB rejects, the MPO must prepare an alternative planning strategy (APS). The APS shows how the MPO could meet the targets.

See the Regional Plans & Evaluations page for further information.

SB 375 creates incentives for SCS implementation. Developers may avoid some environmental review requirements if their project is consistent with an SCS or APS that meets the targets (see Cal. Public Resources Code §§ 21155, 21155.1, 21155.2, 21159.28.).

Progress Reports

SB 150 (Allen, Chapter 646, Statutes of 2017) requires CARB to prepare progress reports about SB 375 implementation. These reports use data-supported metrics to assess progress, identify best practices, and discuss the impact of State policies and funding.

The law requires reports starting in 2018 and every four years thereafter. See the Tracking Progress page for further information.

CARB also maintains the SB 150 Data Dashboard. The dashboard makes data assembled for the progress report easily available.

Resources

SCS Evaluation Guidelines

CARB publishes guidelines that outline how CARB evaluates SCSs under SB 375 and provide example quantification methods for common strategies. CARB is undertaking an update of the guidelines for completion in 2027.

See the Evaluation Guidelines page for further information.

Related Research and Additional SCS Quantification Resources

CARB sponsors policy research to support the creation and evaluation of SCS with strategies that reduce VMT and GHG emissions. See the Policy Briefs page for further information.

CARB also maintains an online Auto Operating Cost Calculator.

Local Actions

Coordinated regional and local action is important for SCS implementation. Local governments greatly influence VMT reduction. They may also influence the use of zero-emission vehicles. The Local Actions page recommends local actions and funding.