Farmworker housing: streamlined, ministerial approval: Counties of Fresno, Madera, and Merced.

Assembly Member Soria's agricultural worker housing legislation expands streamlined approval processes to Fresno, Madera, and Merced counties while increasing the maximum allowable units from 36 to 150 in eligible developments. The measure extends existing provisions that expedite review of farmworker housing projects meeting specific location and design criteria, provided they are within 15 miles of designated agricultural land and not adjacent to substantial industrial uses.

The amended law maintains core requirements for eligible developments, including operation by certified affordable housing organizations, 55-year affordability covenants, and compliance with objective standards for utilities, road access, and environmental safety. Local agencies must complete initial eligibility reviews within 30-60 days and conduct any necessary oversight within 90-180 days, depending on project size. The streamlined process applies only to non-dormitory housing on sites outside hazard zones and environmentally sensitive areas.

While preserving local authority to impose essential development standards and fees, the law prohibits discretionary conditions that could impede ministerial approval of qualifying projects. The geographic expansion responds to what the Legislature identifies as unique farmworker housing needs in California's Central Valley counties, with the increased unit cap allowing larger-scale developments to address local demand through standardized review procedures.