California Assembly Bill AB1693

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/3/26
• Refer: 3/16/26
• Report Pass: 4/16/26
• Refer: 4/16/26
• Report Pass: 4/21/26
• Refer: 4/21/26
• Report Pass: 5/6/26
• Engrossed: 5/14/26
• Refer: 5/14/26
• Refer: 6/3/26

Caption

An act to amend Sections 5886.5 5586.5 and 6775 of the Business and Professions Code, and to add Chapter 15 (commencing with Section 66350) to Division 1 of Title 7 of the Government Code, relating to retailers.

Impact

By attempting to accelerate permit approvals, AB 1693 will significantly impact the regulatory landscape for retailers in California. This shift could potentially lessen the bureaucratic hurdles that have traditionally hampered the timely execution of retail renovations and construction. Local building departments will also need to enhance their capacities to manage increased activity, particularly through audits of tenant improvements to ensure ongoing compliance with safety and health codes. The change is anticipated to stimulate local economies by enabling faster operational adjustments for retailers.

Summary

Assembly Bill 1693, introduced by Assembly Member Zbur, aims to establish a streamlined building permit approval process tailored for tenant improvements related to retailers. This bill mirrors existing provisions for restaurant-related tenant improvements but broadens the criteria to include various types of retail establishments. The bill mandates that a local building department must approve or deny such permit applications within 20 business days, effectively mitigating delays that often burden business owners looking to renovate or enhance retail spaces. This expedited process is expected to foster economic growth and support California's retail industry, vital for employment and community engagement.

Contention

There is notable contention surrounding the bill's provisions regarding liability. The bill stipulates that qualified professional certifiers, who oversee compliance with health and safety regulations during these improvements, will be liable for damages stemming from negligent plan reviews. Furthermore, it shields public agencies from liability concerning their discretionary actions in the permit process. Critics may argue this could affect quality oversight and accountability, especially if municipalities do not adopt necessary measures to mitigate these risks. Additionally, the bill's exemption of certain projects from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) has raised concerns about potential environmental ramifications of expedited approvals.