Bill > AB1470

This bill updates several provisions of California's Retail Food Code related to food facility safety and operations. It modifies the rules for grease traps and grease interceptors, allowing them to be located in food preparation areas under specific conditions, such as demonstrating a structural hardship and providing a detailed cleaning and maintenance plan. The bill expands passthrough window service opening regulations, now permitting windows up to 432 square inches with an air curtain or self-closing device, and allowing larger openings if equipped with both devices. It also revises wall and ceiling requirements for food facilities, particularly for bar areas and restrooms, providing more flexible standards for surface materials. Additionally, the bill exempts temporary food facilities from certain overhead protection requirements if environmental contamination risks are minimal. The legislation also includes provisions that exempt permanent outdoor dining structures from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review and eliminate the need for coastal development permits for outdoor dining patios, particularly those developed during the COVID-19 pandemic. By making these changes, the bill aims to provide more flexibility for food facilities while maintaining food safety standards, and it potentially reduces regulatory burdens on restaurants and temporary food service operations.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance, Education, Health and Social Services

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1470