Supreme Court Rulings Shake Up Property Rights and Legislative Powers

The Supreme Court ruled that developers and home builders in California may challenge impact fees imposed by cities and counties for public improvements, potentially leading to the construction of more affordable housing. The decision could have wide impact in California, where local governments increasingly rely on impact fees to finance projects. The ruling opens the door for challenges to these fees as an unconstitutional taking of private property, but does not specify when such fees become unfair and unconstitutional. The case will now go back to the California courts, and the decision is seen as a significant victory for property rights.