AB-956 • 2026

Accessory dwelling units: ministerial approval: single-family dwellings.

Education Housing Land

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Quirk-Silva
Last action: 2025-06-24
Official status: In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide information on the number of homeowners who will take advantage of this increased allowance for ADUs, nor does it specify if there are additional financial or resource requirements for local agencies beyond ministerial approval processes.

Accessory Dwelling Units: More Homes on Single-Family Lots

AB-956 requires local agencies to automatically approve up to two new accessory dwelling units (ADUs) for single-family lots, instead of just one.

What This Bill Does

Increases the number of accessory dwelling units that can be built on a single-family lot from one to two.
Requires local governments to quickly and easily approve applications for these additional ADUs without needing special permission or review.

Who It Names or Affects

Homeowners who want to build accessory dwelling units on their property.
Local governments that handle building permit approvals for ADUs.

Terms To Know

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU): A smaller, separate living space built on the same lot as a single-family home.
Ministerial Approval: An automatic approval process for building permits that does not require special review or decision-making by local officials.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill only applies to new construction ADUs and does not change rules for existing structures.
Local governments must still follow other zoning laws and building codes when approving these units.

Bill History

2025-06-24 California Legislative Information
In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.
2025-06-04 California Legislative Information
Referred to Coms. on HOUSING and L. GOV.
2025-05-23 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
2025-05-23 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 58. Noes 4. Page 1654.)
2025-05-15 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2025-05-14 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 12. Noes 2.) (May 14).
2025-05-14 California Legislative Information
Coauthors revised.
2025-05-01 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (April 30). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-05-01 California Legislative Information
Coauthors revised.
2025-04-28 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on L. GOV. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (April 24). Re-referred to Com. on L. GOV.
2025-04-24 California Legislative Information
(Pending re-refer to Com. on L. GOV.)
2025-04-24 California Legislative Information
Assembly Rule 56 suspended. (Page 1265.)
2025-04-07 California Legislative Information
In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.
2025-03-18 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on H. & C.D.
2025-03-17 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on H. & C.D. Read second time and amended.
2025-03-17 California Legislative Information
Referred to Coms. on H. & C.D. and L. GOV.
2025-02-21 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.
2025-02-20 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 956, as amended, Quirk-Silva.
Regional housing need allocation process.
Accessory dwelling units: ministerial approval: single-family dwellings.
Existing law, the Planning and Zoning Law, provided for the creation by local ordinance, or by ministerial approval if a local agency has not adopted an ordinance, of accessory dwelling units in areas zoned for single-family or multifamily dwelling residential use in accordance with specified standards and conditions. Existing law requires a local agency to ministerially approve building permit applications within a residential or mixed-use zone to create, among others, one detached, new construction, accessory dwelling unit that does not exceed 4-foot side and rear yard setbacks for a lot with a proposed or existing single-family dwelling, as specified.
This bill would increase the number of detached, new construction, accessory dwelling units that a local agency
is required to ministerially approve on lots with a proposed or existing single-family dwelling, as described above, to 2. By imposing new duties on local governments with respect to the approval of accessory dwelling units, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Existing law establishes the intent of the Legislature to revamp the existing regional housing need allocation process to accomplish specified objectives, including creating a fair, transparent, and objective process for identifying housing needs across the state. Existing law requires the Department of Housing and Community Development, in collaboration with the Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation and after engaging in stakeholder participation, to develop a recommended improved regional housing need allocation process and methodology that promotes and streamlines housing development and substantially addresses California’s housing shortage.
This bill would make nonsubstantive changes to those provisions.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF