Permit Streamlining Act: housing development projects: centralized application portal.

Header changed from enrolled bill format (with passage dates and blank signature lines) to chaptered law format with 'STATE OF CALIFORNIA AUTHENTICATED ELECTRONIC LEGAL MATERIAL,' Chapter 501 designation, and the Governor's approval date filled in as October 10, 2025.

Page numbers and page headers were renumbered to match the final chaptered law pagination (page 94 instead of 95).

The definition of 'housing development project' in Section 65940.3(e)(2) was modified to add a cross-reference stating it 'has the same meaning as that term is defined in paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 65905.5.' The original enumerated list (residential units only, mixed-use with at least two-thirds residential, transitional or supportive housing) remains in the text alongside the cross-reference.

The 'REVISIONS' section listing heading changes from the prior Assembly amendment was removed, which is standard when a bill advances to the Senate.

Removed the qualifier 'that has an internet website' from the main requirement in Section 65940.3(a)(1). Previously, only cities or counties with a population of 150,000 or more that already had an internet website were required to create the portal. Now all cities or counties with a population of 150,000 or more are covered, regardless of whether they currently maintain a website.

The definition of 'housing development project' was changed from a standalone three-part definition (residential units only; mixed-use with at least two-thirds residential square footage; transitional or supportive housing) to an incorporation by reference: it now means the same as defined in paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 65905.5. This aligns the term with existing state law rather than creating a separate definition.

A hard deadline of January 1, 2028 was added for cities and counties with populations of 150,000 or more to make a centralized application portal available on their website. The prior version had no specific date.

A new extension provision allows a city or county to delay compliance until January 1, 2030 if, by January 1, 2028, its legislative body makes a written finding that compliance would require a substantial increase in permitting fees AND initiates a procurement process for the portal.

New definitions were added for 'centralized application portal' (a website or software used to collect applicant information and materials) and 'housing development project' (residential-only units, mixed-use with at least two-thirds residential square footage, or transitional/supportive housing).

Clarification added that for counties, population is determined based on persons in unincorporated areas only (excluding incorporated city populations).

A new provision clarifies that a city or county is not required to provide the status of any permit or inspection that is required by another local agency, a state agency, or a utility provider.

The prior version included a provision stating legislative intent to require the Department of Housing and Community Development to develop a standardized housing development project application that all jurisdictions would be required to adopt. This was removed entirely.

Fiscal committee review and state-mandated local program designation were both changed from 'no' to 'yes', indicating the bill now triggers fiscal analysis and reimbursement procedures under the California Constitution.

New Section 65940.3 added to the Government Code requiring any city or county with a population of 150,000 or more that has an internet website to make a centralized application portal available on its website for housing development project applicants, and the portal must allow tracking of application status.

New Section 2 declares the act addresses a matter of statewide concern rather than a municipal affair, explicitly extending applicability to charter cities under Article XI, Section 5 of the California Constitution.

The bill changed from a purely declaratory intent bill (stating legislative intent to enact future legislation) to one with an immediate operative requirement on large jurisdictions, while retaining the original intent language as a secondary section.

New Section 3 states no state reimbursement is required because local agencies have authority to levy service charges, fees, or assessments sufficient to cover the cost of the mandated portal.

Fiscal committee review and state-mandated local program designation both changed from 'no' to 'yes,' reflecting that the bill now imposes a new state mandate on local governments with associated costs.