Food facilities: retail food safety: coastal development permits: exemption.

Assembly Member Haney's food facility modernization measure modifies California's retail food safety standards while streamlining permits for outdoor dining structures. The legislation revises requirements for grease trap placement, allowing aboveground installations under three-compartment sinks when structural constraints exist and proper maintenance protocols are followed. It also permits larger passthrough window openings when equipped with both self-closing and air curtain devices.

The bill adjusts facility infrastructure requirements by broadening exemptions for wall and ceiling specifications in bar areas and restrooms, while maintaining core cleanliness standards. For temporary food facilities, it extends overhead protection exemptions to locations where environmental contamination risks are minimal. The measure also creates new permitting exemptions for permanent outdoor dining structures, removing them from California Environmental Quality Act review requirements and coastal development permit obligations.

These changes mandate updates to local enforcement protocols, with provisions addressing cost reimbursement for affected agencies. While certain mandate-related expenses require no state reimbursement under constitutional provisions, the Commission on State Mandates retains authority to determine eligible costs for local jurisdictions implementing the revised standards.