Bill > AB557

This bill updates the California Factory-Built Housing Law by expanding its scope to include factory-built developments, which are defined as projects using factory-built housing for at least 50% of residential square footage. The bill shifts inspection and enforcement responsibilities entirely to the Department of Housing and Community Development, removing local government's previous role. It also introduces new provisions allowing licensed architects to approve factory-built housing plans under penalty of perjury, and requires plan approvals to be done by unit serial number. The bill permits approved plans to be used in subsequent development projects within the same or subsequent building code cycles, with the department limiting its review to only new or unapproved portions of plans. Additionally, the legislation maintains local jurisdictions' authority to regulate specific aspects of factory-built housing such as zoning, setbacks, and aesthetic requirements. By streamlining the approval process and potentially reducing housing production obstacles, the bill aims to address California's housing shortage, and it declares these changes a matter of statewide concern that applies to all cities, including charter cities. The bill also establishes civil penalty ranges for violations and maintains criminal misdemeanor penalties for more serious infractions.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs, Housing and Urban Affairs

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB557