Plain English Breakdown
The official bill summary contains conflicting dates for the final report (2027 vs. 2028), likely due to an amendment process not fully resolved in this excerpt.
Review of Building Standards for Small Residential Buildings
This law requires state officials to study if residential buildings with 3 to 10 units can follow simpler building rules and to check how current rules affect construction costs.
What This Bill Does
- Requires the Department of Housing and Community Development to form a working group by December 31, 2026.
- Allows this group to suggest changes so that residential projects with 3 to 10 units can use simpler building codes known as the California Residential Code.
- Mandates a one-time report on these findings be sent to the Legislature in an annual report by December 31, 2027 or 2028.
- Requires officials to study how current or new rules increase costs for single-family and multi-unit homes.
- Orders that this cost review happen every three years to help lower construction expenses.
Who It Names or Affects
- The Department of Housing and Community Development
- Builders and developers of residential projects with 3 to 10 units
Terms To Know
- California Residential Code
- A set of rules for building homes that the bill proposes allowing larger small buildings (up to 10 units) to use.
- International Residential Code
- The standard rulebook currently required by law, which typically applies only to smaller projects like single-family houses or duplexes.
Limits and Unknowns
- This bill does not change the rules immediately; it only starts a study and review process.
- Any new building standards must still be approved by the California Building Standards Commission before they take effect.
- The official text lists conflicting years (2027 or 2028) for the final report deadline.