New California Law to Issue Housing Permits in 30 Days

Local Permitting Delays Often Took Months; “Shot Clock” Sets a Time Limit

“We’re reducing permitting times from many months to four weeks”

SACRAMENTO – California home builders will be guaranteed faster permitting processes for new homes, thanks to new legislation signed into law today by Governor Gavin Newsom.

AB 253, authored by Assemblyman Chris Ward (D-San Diego) and sponsored by California YIMBY, allows home builders to hire licensed, third-party professionals to review permits when local governments exceed the 30-day timeline established by the new law.

“Too many builders in California struggle with slow and unpredictable housing permitting processes – and this uncertainty drives up housing costs,” said Brian Hanlon, CEO of California YIMBY. “AB 253 creates a high-impact, zero-cost way to speed up home building by letting builders hire certified professionals when cities can’t meet reasonable deadlines.”

Slow permit reviews often kill smaller housing projects by driving costs beyond what small builders can afford. AB 253 establishes an alternative pathway when backlogs in local building departments threaten to delay the construction of new homes.

AB 253 applies to housing projects of 10 units or fewer, and with 4 stories or fewer. Third-party reviewers must be licensed engineers or architects who meet specified qualifications, and cannot have any financial interest in the plans or permit.