Permit Streamlining Act: local emergencies.

The bill was formally enacted as Chapter 534 with the Governor's approval date of October 10, 2025 recorded in the header.

Page numbers changed from 94 to 93 and headers changed from 'AB 818' to 'Ch. 534' throughout the document.

Added a new definition for 'local agency' referencing Section 50001 (which covers all local agencies) rather than Section 65930 (limited to building departments), expanding which entities are subject to the bill.

Removed the limitation that the permit approval/disapproval requirement only applies 'during the period of a local emergency.' The Senate version applies the requirement at any time for affected properties, not just while an emergency declaration is active.

Removed the 45-day deadline for local agencies to approve or disapprove rebuild/repair permit applications and the automatic deemed-approval consequence if the agency missed that deadline. Replaced with a reference to 'a timeline consistent with applicable provisions of this chapter' (i.e., existing Permit Streamlining Act timelines).

Shortened the deadline for approving temporary housing permits (modular homes, prefabricated homes, ADUs, similar structures) from 14 days to 10 business days after a parcel is deemed safe for development.

Changed the website compliance deadline from a garbled 'March 31, 2016, 2028' to clearly 'March 31, 2028,' and changed the update frequency from every two years to every four years.

Removed the requirement that local agencies develop a 'fast-track application process' during local emergencies, including provisions for reusing previously approved plans on different parcels, flexibility in materials and appearances, and minor interior layout modifications.

Removed provisions allowing local agencies to authorize independent third-party inspectors for compliance inspections and requiring publication of a list of approved inspectors on the agency's website by March 31, 2026.

Changed the utility provider obligation from 'approve or deny' a connection request within 30 days to simply 'provide a written notice describing the next steps in the approval process' within 30 days, with an exception if connection is infeasible due to the disaster. Also removed the joint PUC/HCD monitoring and enforcement provision.

Removed the website requirement for 'clear instructions on accessing third-party plan checkers and inspectors, utilizing preapproved designs, and navigating local building codes.'

Removed all fee exemptions. The Assembly version exempted applicants from impact fees (Section 66324), education code fees (Chapter 6 of Part 10.5 of Division 1 of Title 1 of the Education Code), and certain connection or capacity charges for unpermitted construction before January 1, 2020.

Removed the requirement that if an application is denied, the local agency must return a full set of written comments listing defective items and describing how the applicant can remedy them within the approval timeline.

Removed an exemption from Title 24 energy code provisions (Sections 110.10 and 150.1) for solar panel installations and associated energy storage systems on projects rebuilding or repairing disaster-affected properties. Local agencies can now still enforce those code requirements on such projects.

Subsections were relettered (old b through e became new b through d) to reflect the removal of the solar panel exemption provision.

The definition of 'affected property' was narrowed from properties that 'satisfy any of the following conditions' (three conditions) to those that 'satisfy either of the following conditions,' which appears to exclude condition (C) - properties that are 'effectively a substandard building' - from qualifying.

The deadline for local agencies to act on temporary housing permit applications was shortened from 14 business days to 10 business days.

The local agency obligation was changed from a duty to 'approve an application' to a duty to 'approve or deny a complete application,' explicitly allowing denial and requiring the application to be complete before the clock starts. The permit type was also broadened from 'construction building permit' to 'building permit or an equivalent permit.'

A general requirement that local agencies approve or disapprove permits to rebuild or repair affected property within a timeline consistent with applicable law (former subsection b(1)) was removed entirely.

A new definition for 'utility provider' was added, specifying it means an entity that provides a utility service connection and is subject to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 66000) requirements.

The definition of 'local agency' was made more explicit by adding the phrase 'means any city, county, or city and county' rather than relying solely on the cross-reference to Section 50001.

Removed condition (C) from the definition of 'affected property,' which had covered properties that are 'effectively a substandard building' due to a disaster. Only properties formally declared or rendered substandard now qualify, narrowing who can use the expedited process.

Removed paragraph (4) from the list of structures eligible for 10-business-day expedited permitting, which had allowed 'a structure similar to' modular homes, prefabricated homes, or ADU-qualifying detached structures. Only the three specifically listed types now qualify.

The requirement for local agencies to publish a dashboard tracking permitting timelines and agency performance is now limited to cities, counties, or city and counties with a population greater than 30,000 based on the most recent U.S. Census Bureau data, exempting smaller jurisdictions from this obligation.

Corrected several drafting errors: 'satisfies any either of' to 'satisfies either of,' 'declared rendered a substandard building' to 'rendered a substandard building,' and 'approve an or deny' to 'approve or deny.'

The core permit obligation changed from 'a local agency shall not deny an application' (a prohibition) to 'a local agency shall approve or disapprove a permit' (an affirmative duty to make a decision within the applicable timeline). This makes non-compliance clearer and easier to enforce.

A new subdivision requires local agencies to approve, within 14 days of receipt, an application for a construction permit for temporary structures (state- or federally-approved modular homes, prefabricated homes, detached ADUs, or similar structures) after a parcel has been deemed safe for development by the state following a disaster.

The utility connection requirement was significantly softened. The original required utility providers to approve or deny a connection request within 30 days. The amended version only requires the local agency to provide a written notice describing next steps in the approval process within 30 days, unless connection is infeasible due to the disaster.

A new defined term 'affected property' was added, covering residential real property that was destroyed by a disaster resulting in a declared local emergency, declared a substandard building as a result of such a disaster, or is effectively a substandard building as a result of such a disaster. A definition for 'disaster' referencing Section 8680.3 was also added.

The deadline for local agencies to comply with public information website requirements was changed from March 31, 2016 (apparently a typo) to March 31, 2028, and the update frequency was extended from every two years to every four years.

Assembly Member Wicks was added as a coauthor of the bill.