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Committee advances bill to allow licensed third-party plan checks when local review exceeds 30 days
Summary
AB 253, which allows licensed third-party plan checks when local building departments face delays of 30 days or more, advanced from the Appropriations Committee after supporters said it would reduce permitting delays and speed housing construction.
Assemblymember Ward presented AB 253, which would allow licensed third-party professionals to perform building plan checks when a local building department would otherwise take 30 days or more to complete a similar review. Ward argued delays in local plan-review workloads "hinder housing production by delaying the transition from design projects to active construction," and said the bill would provide an alternative pathway to get projects shovel-ready.
Jordan Paniyana Carbajal of California YIMBY and other housing groups testified in support, saying the approach "does not eliminate city oversight" but provides a tool to manage workloads. Witnesses from Bay Area Council, Housing Action Coalition and other housing organizations voiced support.
Assemblymember Dixon raised potential liability concerns for cities if private plan-checkers make errors; Ward responded that liability would primarily rest with the private professional, who would be licensed and bonded, and that final inspections and approvals would remain with the local jurisdiction. The committee voted to advance the bill; the transcript records the bill was moved "out on an a roll call with Mr. Hart and Ms. Dixon not voting."
