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    AB-647
    Housing & Homelessness

    Housing development approvals: residential units.

    Introduced
    CA
    ∙
    2025-2026 Regular Session
    0
    0
    Track
    Track

    Key Takeaways

    • Streamlines approval for housing developments up to 8 units in single-family zones without discretionary review.
    • Requires one unit to be deed-restricted affordable housing for households at 80% of area median income.
    • Mandates local agencies to approve or deny housing applications within 60 days or projects are automatically approved.
    • Prohibits local agencies from imposing parking requirements, height limits, and other restrictions that could block development.

    Summary

    Assembly Member Mark González's BUILD Housing Act would establish a streamlined approval process for housing developments of up to eight units on lots with existing single-family homes or in zones designated for eight or fewer residential units. The bill requires these developments to include at least one deed-restricted affordable unit for households earning no more than 80% of area median income.

    Local agencies must process these applications ministerially within 60 days, without discretionary review or public hearings. The legislation prohibits agencies from imposing development standards that would physically preclude construction, including restrictions on setbacks, height, lot coverage, floor area ratios, and parking requirements. Agencies may only deny applications if they demonstrate, through written findings, that a project would create specific, adverse impacts on public health and safety that cannot be mitigated.

    The Department of Housing and Community Development gains expanded oversight authority to review local housing elements for compliance with the new provisions. The department can refer non-compliant jurisdictions to the Attorney General for enforcement action, potentially resulting in court-ordered compliance measures and fines directed to the Building Homes and Jobs Trust Fund. While qualifying projects are exempt from environmental review under CEQA, they remain ineligible for density bonuses and other development incentives under existing state law.

    The bill applies to all California cities, including charter cities, reflecting legislative findings that adequate housing production amid the state's severe shortage constitutes a matter of statewide concern rather than a municipal affair. Local agencies retain authority to levy fees sufficient to cover implementation costs, eliminating the need for state reimbursement of mandated activities.

    Key Dates

    Next Step
    Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Local Government
    Next Step
    Assembly Committee
    Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Local Government
    Hearing has not been scheduled yet
    Assembly Housing And Community Development Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Housing And Community Development Hearing
    Assembly Housing And Community Development Hearing
    Read first time. To print.
    Assembly Floor
    Read first time. To print.
    Read first time. To print.

    Contacts

    Profile
    Blanca RubioD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    James RamosD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Buffy WicksD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Chris WardD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Lori WilsonD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    0 of 11 row(s) selected.
    Page 1 of 3
    Select All Legislators
    Profile
    Blanca RubioD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    James RamosD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Buffy WicksD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Chris WardD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Lori WilsonD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Josh HooverR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Juan CarrilloD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Blanca PachecoD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Tri TaR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Mark GonzalezD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Catherine StefaniD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member

    Get Involved

    Act Now!

    Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

    Introduced By

    Mark Gonzalez
    Mark GonzalezD
    California State Assembly Member
    Co-Author
    Buffy Wicks
    Buffy WicksD
    California State Assembly Member
    10% progression
    Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/13/2025)

    Latest Voting History

    View History
    April 24, 2025
    PASS
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Housing And Community Development Hearing
    AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
    82212PASS

    Key Takeaways

    • Streamlines approval for housing developments up to 8 units in single-family zones without discretionary review.
    • Requires one unit to be deed-restricted affordable housing for households at 80% of area median income.
    • Mandates local agencies to approve or deny housing applications within 60 days or projects are automatically approved.
    • Prohibits local agencies from imposing parking requirements, height limits, and other restrictions that could block development.

    Get Involved

    Act Now!

    Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

    Introduced By

    Mark Gonzalez
    Mark GonzalezD
    California State Assembly Member
    Co-Author
    Buffy Wicks
    Buffy WicksD
    California State Assembly Member

    Summary

    Assembly Member Mark González's BUILD Housing Act would establish a streamlined approval process for housing developments of up to eight units on lots with existing single-family homes or in zones designated for eight or fewer residential units. The bill requires these developments to include at least one deed-restricted affordable unit for households earning no more than 80% of area median income.

    Local agencies must process these applications ministerially within 60 days, without discretionary review or public hearings. The legislation prohibits agencies from imposing development standards that would physically preclude construction, including restrictions on setbacks, height, lot coverage, floor area ratios, and parking requirements. Agencies may only deny applications if they demonstrate, through written findings, that a project would create specific, adverse impacts on public health and safety that cannot be mitigated.

    The Department of Housing and Community Development gains expanded oversight authority to review local housing elements for compliance with the new provisions. The department can refer non-compliant jurisdictions to the Attorney General for enforcement action, potentially resulting in court-ordered compliance measures and fines directed to the Building Homes and Jobs Trust Fund. While qualifying projects are exempt from environmental review under CEQA, they remain ineligible for density bonuses and other development incentives under existing state law.

    The bill applies to all California cities, including charter cities, reflecting legislative findings that adequate housing production amid the state's severe shortage constitutes a matter of statewide concern rather than a municipal affair. Local agencies retain authority to levy fees sufficient to cover implementation costs, eliminating the need for state reimbursement of mandated activities.

    10% progression
    Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/13/2025)

    Key Dates

    Next Step
    Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Local Government
    Next Step
    Assembly Committee
    Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Local Government
    Hearing has not been scheduled yet
    Assembly Housing And Community Development Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Housing And Community Development Hearing
    Assembly Housing And Community Development Hearing
    Read first time. To print.
    Assembly Floor
    Read first time. To print.
    Read first time. To print.

    Latest Voting History

    View History
    April 24, 2025
    PASS
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Housing And Community Development Hearing
    AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
    82212PASS

    Contacts

    Profile
    Blanca RubioD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    James RamosD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Buffy WicksD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Chris WardD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Lori WilsonD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    0 of 11 row(s) selected.
    Page 1 of 3
    Select All Legislators
    Profile
    Blanca RubioD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    James RamosD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Buffy WicksD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Chris WardD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Lori WilsonD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Josh HooverR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Juan CarrilloD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Blanca PachecoD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Tri TaR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Mark GonzalezD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Catherine StefaniD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member