Bill > AB1621

This bill aims to streamline the permitting process for housing development projects by amending existing planning and zoning laws, particularly the Housing Accountability Act. Key provisions include limiting local and state agencies to a maximum of two plan check and specification reviews for building permit applications, with the ability to deny applications after these reviews if they remain non-compliant, though applicants can request further submittals. The bill also clarifies that building inspections should not deviate from previously approved plans unless specific health or safety impacts necessitate it. It modifies the timelines for appealing decisions on incomplete or non-compliant permits, shortening them significantly for smaller housing projects (25 units or fewer) to 30 business days and for larger projects (26 units or more) to 45 business days, and allows applicants to seek a court order to compel approval if appeals are denied or delayed. Furthermore, the bill strengthens the Housing Accountability Act by making violations of these post-entitlement permit provisions a violation of the Act itself, and expands the definition of "disapprove the housing development project" to encompass failures to comply with these new permit processing rules. It also adjusts how time limits for permit reviews are tolled, specifically when federal or state law requires review by an independent public agency, and mandates notification to applicants about these tolling periods.

Government Affairs

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1621