Bill > AB457

This bill expands the streamlined, ministerial approval process for farmworker housing developments in California by adding the Counties of Fresno, Madera, and Merced to an existing law that previously only applied to Santa Clara and Santa Cruz Counties. The bill increases the maximum number of housing units from 36 to 150 for developments in these three new counties, allowing larger housing projects for agricultural workers. To qualify, housing developments must be located within 15 miles of designated farmland or grazing areas, not on industrial sites, and meet specific requirements such as not being in coastal zones, wetlands, high fire hazard areas, or other environmentally sensitive locations. The housing must be maintained by a qualified affordable housing organization, include an affordability covenant ensuring rent remains affordable for agricultural workers for at least 55 years, and cannot use state funding for H-2A employer obligations. The bill declares that addressing agricultural employee housing is a matter of statewide concern and aims to encourage the development of sufficient housing to meet local needs in these agricultural regions. Additionally, the bill includes provisions that allow local governments to impose objective development standards and fees while maintaining a streamlined approval process.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs, Housing and Urban Affairs

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB457