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AB 253 would streamline building

February 5, 2025

This one should be a no-brainer. Introduced by Assemblymembers Chris Ward, D-San Diego, and Sharon Quirk-Silva, D-Fullerton, Assembly Bill 253 is the California Residential Private Permitting Review Act. It would speed the approval process for developments of 10 or fewer units, including single-family homes and duplexes. If a city takes longer than 30 days to review building plans, in the bill’s words the developer could “employ a private professional provider … to perform the plan check.”

Speaking on Kitty O’Neal’s KFBK radio show in Sacramento, Ward explained his bill addresses both the wildfires that have burned much of the state as well as the ongoing housing crisis. Permits themselves would not be cut back, but a timeframe imposed. If permitting lasted too long, he said, “There’s a lot of great professionals out there who know your city’s code” and could check the building plan. “They build the things, they do the electrical work, they do the structural engineering work.”

A city still would issue the final occupancy permit and the bill would apply to the whole state, not just those hit by wildfires. He rightly pointed out that reduced permitting times would cut developer costs, encouraging more development. After all, time is money and permitting delays can mean major financial impacts.

The bill follows actions by Gov. Newsom, including a Jan. 12 executive order suspending permitting and review requirements under the California Environmental Quality Act and the California Coastal Commission. And a Jan. 27 EO suspended for wildfire survivors any rules limiting stays in motels or hotels to 30 days.

AB 253 was introduced Jan. 15. Ward said hearings should begin in early March. After that, “we have many steps ahead of us” before it’s approved by the Senate and Assembly, then signed by Newsom.

We heartily support this bill. But it and other bills advancing post-wildfire reconstruction ought to be approved more quickly than the current timeline. Assuming AB 253 goes into effect in April, add 30 days for the local review process that takes too long, then another 30 days for a private assessment. That pushes rebuilding to June or later.

We can do better, faster.

Orange County Register

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AB 253 would streamline building

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