Housing element: governmental constraints: disclosure statement.

Assembly Member Alvarez's housing legislation requires local governments to disclose and analyze potential constraints on residential development before implementing new policies that could impede housing construction. The bill mandates that cities and counties include a "governmental constraints disclosure statement" in their housing elements, identifying any anticipated regulations or standards that might restrict housing development within the first three years of the element's compliance period.

The measure prohibits local jurisdictions from adopting new development constraints during this three-year window unless specific conditions are met. These include submitting the proposed constraint to state housing officials within 30 days, previously disclosing the constraint in the housing element, or demonstrating the constraint is required by state or federal law. The bill defines covered constraints as fees and exactions, policies reducing residential density, restrictions on density bonus provisions, and new historic district designations affecting potential housing sites.

Local governments must complete all prior commitments to address existing development constraints before implementing new ones. The Department of Housing and Community Development retains authority to review local actions for compliance. The legislation applies to all California cities, including charter cities, reflecting the Legislature's determination that streamlining housing development processes addresses a matter of statewide concern rather than purely local affairs.