Bill > AB306

This bill aims to address California's housing crisis by implementing a temporary pause on new building standards affecting residential construction from October 1, 2025, to June 1, 2031. Specifically, the bill restricts cities, counties, and state agencies from making changes to building standards for residential units, with limited exceptions. These exceptions include emergency standards necessary to protect health and safety, building standards related to home hardening (improving fire resistance), and modifications that were already in effect as of September 30, 2025. The bill also adds the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code to the list of model building codes and requires that a model home design's building standards apply to future similar residential dwellings in the same jurisdiction. Additionally, the legislation includes provisions to ensure that local jurisdictions cannot establish more restrictive building standards for residential units during this period, with narrow exceptions. The bill is designed to bring more certainty to the home construction industry, potentially help reduce construction costs, and support efforts to increase housing supply and affordability. It declares these changes a matter of statewide concern and includes an urgency clause to take effect immediately.

Budget and Finance, Housing and Urban Affairs

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB306