An act to amend Sections 17951 and 17960.1 of, and to add and repeal Section 17960.3 of, the Health and Safety Code, relating to housing, and declaring the urgency thereof, to take effect immediately.
Impact
By allowing private professional providers to check residential building permits, AB 253 seeks to reduce the backlog typically encountered by local agencies. This bill mandates that cities and counties post their residential building permit fee schedules online, ensuring transparency and accessibility. It requires local governments to provide applicants with estimated timelines for permit compliance, ultimately aiming to boost housing availability and construction while maintaining adherence to safety and building standards. The amendments introduced by this act will have a significant impact on local housing policies and procedures, emphasizing state concerns over local governance in housing matters.
Summary
Assembly Bill 253, known as the California Residential Private Permitting Review Act, addresses the increasing delays in processing residential building permits within local jurisdictions. This legislation aims to streamline the permit approval process, which has been hindered by local workload fluctuations that often lead to extended delays. This bill facilitates a more efficient review of residential construction applications, thereby accelerating housing production in response to the ongoing housing crisis in California. It enables applicants to hire private professional providers for permit plan checks when local agencies cannot meet established timelines, assisting in enhancing the overall efficiency of the permitting process.
Sentiment
The sentiment surrounding AB 253 appears to be largely positive among proponents who view it as a necessary intervention to tackle the housing crisis and improve efficiency. However, there are concerns from some local government representatives who fear that the inclusion of private providers may undermine local authority and control over permitting processes. Overall, the bill has garnered support from legislators who recognize the need for urgent reforms in housing policy but may face opposition regarding the changes to local governance structures.
Contention
Notable points of contention regarding AB 253 include the potential implications of transferring some plan-checking responsibilities to private providers, which could be seen as an overreach into local control. Critics argue that this move may weaken the authority of local governments to regulate construction in line with community standards and needs. Additionally, there are concerns about ensuring the qualifications of these private providers and the liability for any construction issues arising from their plan checks, as the bill also limits the liability of public entities in cases involving residential permits.
An act to amend Sections 5361, 5971, 5975, 5976.5, 5977, 5977.1, 5977.3, 5977.4, 5978.1, 5979, 5982, 5983, and 5985 of, and to add Section 5988 to, the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to mental health.