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Haney bill to standardize planning application forms advances; cities ask for implementation safeguards
Summary
AB 1294 (Haney) would require jurisdictions to accept an HCD-developed, standardized housing entitlement application format and allow local governments to adopt compliant local variants. Cities and counties urged protections for local information needs and the Administrative Procedure Act process to develop the form.
Assemblymember Rafael Haney presented AB 1294 to create a standardized statewide application form for housing entitlement filings. The bill would require jurisdictions to accept an "AB 1294-compliant" application and direct HCD to adopt the template through the Administrative Procedure Act, with allowance for local variations that remain AB 1294-compliant.
Why it matters: Proponents said widely divergent local intake forms and pre-application requirements introduce unpredictable costs and delay at the earliest stage of housing development. A standardized format would help applicants know what is required and reduce pre-application hurdles that can become de facto barriers.
Support and testimony: Housing production and development groups (Abundant Housing LA, California Building Industry Association) supported the bill and highlighted jurisdictions like San Diego and San Francisco that have more predictable intake processes. Supporters asked HCD to follow a transparent APA process for the standard form.
Opposition and concerns: The League of California Cities and Urban Counties of California opposed unless amended, arguing the bill could limit local governments' ability to require information they need to evaluate local impacts (e.g., infrastructure, sewer/water availability, replacement housing for demolitions) and cautioning against a one-size-fits-all intake that could be infeasible for small jurisdictions with limited planning staff. The author accepted committee amendments to require HCD to adopt the form through the APA, and pledged to work with cities and counties during that process.
Next steps: The committee moved the bill to Local Government as amended. Members of the committee emphasized the APA requirement will open a stakeholder process to shape the final template and urged continued discussion about how the template will accommodate small jurisdictions and local technical needs.
