Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Ab 306 Building Standards topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee flags AB 306 moratorium on local building standards as time-sensitive concern
Summary
Santa Barbara’s Sustainability Committee discussed AB 306, a time‑sensitive bill that would effectively pause local adoption of new residential building standards after June 30; staff are negotiating clarifications to allow the City’s scheduled 2025 code adoption.
The Santa Barbara City Sustainability Committee reviewed AB 306, a bill that would create an immediate moratorium on local adoption of new residential building standards after June 30, 2025, and discussed risks to the City's scheduled adoption of the 2025 triennial code cycle.
Deputy City Attorney Heather Mentor and Townsend representatives explained the bill includes an urgency clause and could retroactively freeze local code adoption, potentially preventing the City from adopting the 2025 standards on the current schedule (the committee’s staff noted the local triennial adoption is scheduled for late 2025/January 2026 under normal practice).
Why it matters: Committee members said AB 306 could block Santa Barbara from adopting updated building standards that implement state triennial updates and local amendments. Staff reported they are working with a statewide coalition and the bill author’s office to secure assurances that the 2025 code cycle will be adoptable; the speaker said the author has verbally indicated intent to permit that outcome but the language remains unclear.
Discussion and details: The committee discussed strategic positions. Staff described an “oppose unless amended” posture in coalition talks while also attempting to negotiate clarifying amendments with the author’s office, because the bill is moving quickly and is coauthored by the Assembly Speaker. Members emphasized that timing and clarity are critical and said they prefer to be collaborative where possible if amendments allow the City to adopt 2025 standards as scheduled.
Committee direction: The committee did not take a formal vote. Staff will continue negotiating amendments with the author and report back. Members asked staff to alert the committee rapidly if the bill’s language would prevent adoption of the 2025 code cycle.
Ending: Committee members stressed the importance of preserving the City’s ability to adopt local building standards on the triennial code cycle and asked staff to return with written clarifications or proposed amendments.
