Plain English Breakdown
The official text does not specify which reason allows for no state reimbursement to local agencies.
AB-462: Rules for Building Extra Homes After Emergencies
This law allows local agencies to approve extra homes in emergency zones even if the main house is not finished, and sets a strict time limit to decide on permits near the coast.
What This Bill Does
- Requires cities or counties to issue an occupancy permit for an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in areas under a state of emergency declared by the Governor on or after February 1, 2025.
- Allows this ADU permit even if the main house on the lot has not yet received its own certificate of occupancy.
- Applies only when the main house was substantially damaged or destroyed by an event listed in the Governor's emergency proclamation.
- Sets a rule that coastal development permits for ADUs must be approved or denied within 60 days of receiving a complete application.
- States that if the permit agency does not make a decision within 60 days, the application is automatically considered approved.
Who It Names or Affects
- Local agencies and governments responsible for issuing building permits
- The California Coastal Commission
- Homeowners in counties under a state of emergency who want to build an ADU after their main home was damaged
Terms To Know
- Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)
- A small, separate living space built on the same lot as a single-family or multifamily house.
- Certificate of Occupancy
- An official document from the local government that says a building is safe and ready for people to live in.
- State of Emergency Proclamation
- A formal announcement by the Governor declaring an emergency situation, such as after a fire or earthquake.
Limits and Unknowns
- The law only applies to counties where the Governor has declared a state of emergency on or after February 1, 2025.
- If an ADU permit is submitted at the same time as a new main house permit in coastal zones, officials can delay their decision until they finish reviewing the main house application.