Bill > AB253

This bill, known as the California Residential Private Permitting Review Act, addresses residential building permit processing delays by introducing a new mechanism for expediting plan reviews. Starting immediately and continuing until January 1, 2036, the bill requires cities and counties to provide an estimated timeframe for reviewing residential building permits, and if that timeframe exceeds 30 business days, applicants can hire a private professional provider (a licensed engineer or architect with specific certifications) to perform the plan check. If the city or county fails to complete the review within 30 days, the applicant can also engage a private professional provider. The private professional must prepare an affidavit stating whether the plans comply with requirements, and the city or county must then review this report within 10 business days and either issue the permit or notify the applicant of non-compliance. The bill applies to residential buildings with 1-10 dwelling units under 40 feet tall, requires cities to report on permit review processes starting in 2027, and includes provisions that indemnify local agencies from liability related to permits processed under this system. The legislation aims to address California's housing crisis by preventing prolonged delays in the residential building permit process and providing a streamlined alternative to traditional municipal plan reviews.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs, Housing and Urban Affairs

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB253