Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Permitting Reform topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Panel advances bill allowing licensed third‑party plan reviewers for small residential projects
Summary
The committee advanced AB 253, which would let homeowners and small developers hire licensed, insured third‑party professionals to perform post‑entitlement plan checks when local building departments cannot complete reviews within 30 days.
Assemblymember Quirk Silva presented AB 253, a measure allowing licensed, insured third‑party reviewers — including architects and engineers — to perform post‑entitlement plan checks on small residential projects (one to 10 units) if the local building department cannot complete review within 30 days.
Supporters included Nolan Gray of California YIMBY and Wesley Sagewalker of Gateway Development Company, who said permitting delays frequently stall construction, raise costs, and discourage small builders. Gray cited state data showing averages of nine months to secure post‑entitlement permits for large apartment buildings and about six months for missing‑middle projects, and argued third‑party plan check offers an international best practice and a tool to keep smaller projects viable.
Local government associations expressed concerns about implementation and oversight; Mark Neuburger of the California State Association of Counties and Cal Cities offered to continue conversations with the author’s office. Committee members discussed expanding the bill to include special districts and ensuring transparency of fees; some members urged amendments to add special districts that impose connection or impact fees.
The committee voted to pass AB 253 to the Assembly Local Government Committee.
