CaliforniaCalifornia law limits plan reviews and speeds appeals for housing building permits
A new California law limits cities, counties, and state agencies to two plan reviews for a housing building permit, shortens appeal deadlines, and treats violations as breaking the Housing Accountability Act.
What it does
Cities, counties, and state agencies could ask for no more than two plan check reviews on a housing building permit, though builders could ask to submit again.
Inspectors could not demand changes that depart from an approved building plan unless they give written findings of a clear problem or a specific health or safety risk.
Review clocks would pause only when the law requires an independent agency's review, and the applicant would be told within three business days when it starts and ends.
Appeals must be decided within 30 or 45 business days, and builders could go to court to compel approval if the agency misses the deadline.
A local agency that breaks the permit rules would violate the Housing Accountability Act, and a state agency that does so would be treated as approving the permit.
Argument forFewer review rounds and firm appeal deadlines could cut delays that add to the time and cost of building housing.
Argument againstA two-review cap and shorter appeal deadlines might limit the time local staff have to catch building problems, and the digest says the law adds duties for local agencies.
More detail
A local or state agency may not require or request more than two plan check and specification reviews for a building permit application. It may deny a noncompliant application after two reviews, and the applicant may ask to submit again. It applies to building permits for housing development projects. The cap does not limit the number of submittals for other postentitlement permits, which are permits issued after land-use approval.
An agency may not require changes from a building inspection that depart from a previously approved building plan. It applies to inspections that check the building against approved plans. The agency may still do so if it gives written findings, based on substantial evidence, that a reasonable person could not read the approved plan as compliant, or that the change is needed to address a specific, adverse health or safety impact.
The review deadline pauses only if federal or state law requires another independent public agency to review the application first. The agency must tell the applicant when the pause starts and when it ends. It covers the time limits for reviewing postentitlement phase permits for housing development projects. Notice is due within three business days of the start and the end of the pause.
An agency must decide a written appeal within 30 business days for projects of 25 units or fewer, and within 45 business days for projects of 26 units or more. It applies to appeals of incomplete or noncompliant permit decisions, which go to the agency's governing body. If the appeal is denied, not decided on time, or no appeals process is provided, the applicant may ask a court for a writ of mandate, an order to compel approval. The deadlines run from receipt of the written appeal.
A local agency that breaks these permit rules would be in violation of the Housing Accountability Act, and failing to follow them would count as disapproving the housing project. A state agency that breaks the rules would be treated as having approved the permit.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Sep 29Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 780, Statutes of 2026.Latest
- Sep 29Approved by the Governor Gavin Newsom.Became Law
- Aug 31Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.To Governor
- Aug 25Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 76. Noes 0. Page 6505.).Major
- Vote recorded AB 1621 Wilson Concurrence in Senate Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading AB1621 Wilson et al. By Grayson. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 25In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
- Aug 25Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 40. Noes 0.).Passed Senate
- Aug 24Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Aug 20Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.Major
- Aug 13Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 13From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 13).Minor
- Aug 3In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.Minor
- Vote recorded Placed on suspense file. Result: pass.Upper
- Jul 1From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (June 30). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Jun 30
- Vote recorded Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 10From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on HOUSING. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (June 10). Re-referred to Com. on HOUSING.Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Housing]. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 3From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on L. GOV.Major
- May 6Referred to Coms. on L. GOV. and HOUSING.Minor
- Apr 28In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.Minor
- Apr 27Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 67. Noes 0. Page 4835.)Passed Assembly
- Vote recorded AB 1621 Wilson Assembly Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 23Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Apr 22From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (April 22).Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 8From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (April 8). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 25From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on H. & C.D. (Ayes 10. Noes 0.) (March 25). Re-referred to Com. on H. & C.D.Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Housing and Community Development]. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 5Re-referred to Com. on L. GOV.Minor
- Mar 4From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on L. GOV. Read second time and amended.Major
- Feb 2Referred to Coms. on L. GOV. and H. & C.D.Minor
- Jan 23From printer. May be heard in committee February 22.
- Jan 22Read first time. To print.Introduced
HousingGovernment & Ethics