SB 1229 California Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Coastal resources: coastal development permits: disaster exemption.

Summary
Existing law, the California Coastal Act of 1976, among other things, requires anyone wishing to perform or undertake any development in the coastal zone, except as specified, in addition to obtaining any other permit required by law from any local government or from any state, regional, or local agency, to obtain a coastal development permit from the California Coastal Commission or a local government, as provided. The act provides that a coastal development permit is not required for the replacement of any structure, other than a public works facility, destroyed by a disaster. This bill would prohibit that coastal development permit exemption from applying to the replacement of a structure by an applicant who was not listed as the property owner of record immediately preceding the disaster if replacement of the structure would, among other things, encroach upon an open space easement or deed restriction that has been recorded or offered for dedication, as provided. By creating additional duties for a local government in reviewing coastal development permits, the bill would impose state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Jul 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
Assembly Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 19, 2026 Last action Aug 30, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

03/25/26 - Amended Senate 04/09/26 - Amended Senate · 4 edits · Apr 9, 2026
MODERATE
SB 1229 was amended to refine the coastal development permit exemption for replacing disaster-destroyed structures. The bill now adds open space easements and deed restrictions as protected interests that can trigger loss of the exemption for non-original property owners, and introduces a new 'incompatibility with the public trust' standard beyond mere physical encroachment on tidelands. These changes broaden the circumstances under which a new owner replacing a disaster-destroyed structure would need to obtain a coastal development permit.
ELIGIBILITY

The exemption structure was simplified. The prior version stated the exemption 'shall only apply' to the original property owner of record AND listed exceptions for non-original owners. The amended version removes the 'only apply' limitation and instead simply states the exemption does not apply to a non-original owner if specific conditions are met, making the default rule broader while preserving targeted exceptions.

A new exception (B) was added: the exemption is lost if replacement would encroach upon an open space easement or deed restriction that has been recorded or offered for dedication pursuant to the Coastal Act. This is a new category of protected interest not present in the prior version.

Exception (A) was expanded to include 'deed restriction' alongside easements, so encroachment on a lateral or vertical public access easement, lateral access easement, or vertical access easement OR deed restriction recorded or offered for dedication now triggers loss of the exemption.

A new standard was added to the public trust exception: replacement is subject to permit requirements if it would be 'incompatible with the public trust, as applicable,' in addition to the existing physical standards of occupying, filling, or encroaching upon state tidelands, submerged lands, or the public trust. This introduces a qualitative test beyond mere physical footprint.

Floor votes · Senate May 19, 2026

How they voted

299
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 40
May 19, 2026
D Democratic30
29 Yea 1 Nay
96% Yea
R Republican10
8 Nay 2
80% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
20
Key actions
8
Committee
6
Amendments
3
Jul 1, 2026
Lower · Passed
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 8. Noes 3.) (July 1).
lower
Jun 24, 2026
Lower · Passed
June 24 hearing postponed by committee.
lower
Jun 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 9. Noes 4.) (June 8). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
lower
May 26, 2026
Committee
Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.
lower
May 19, 2026
Upper · Passed
Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 29. Noes 9. Page 4335.) Ordered to the Assembly.
upper
Apr 20, 2026
Upper · Passed
From committee: Be ordered to second reading pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8.
upper
Apr 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
upper
Apr 8, 2026
Upper · Passed
From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 2. Page 3758.) (April 7).
upper
Mar 25, 2026
Upper · Passed
From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on N.R. & W.
upper
Mar 4, 2026
Committee
Referred to Com. on N.R. & W.
upper
Feb 19, 2026
Introduced
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Ben Allen
Ben Allen
DDemocratic
CA
24