SB-741
Energy & Environment

Coastal resources: coastal development permit: local emergency declaration.

Introduced
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Expands emergency coastal development permits to include local emergency declarations by municipalities and counties.
  • Allows expedited permits for single-family homes and small developments under $100,000 with public notice.
  • Requires local government review of emergency permits at the next scheduled meeting.
  • Eliminates monetary limits on emergency coastal development permits.
10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/21/2025)
Probability of Passing
We're working on it! Check back later.

Summary

Senator Blakespear's coastal development permit legislation expands local governments' authority to expedite building approvals during officially declared emergencies along California's coastline. The measure amends the California Coastal Act of 1976 to allow municipalities, counties, and special districts to bypass standard coastal permit procedures when they have formally declared a local emergency.

The bill maintains existing provisions that enable streamlined permits for certain non-emergency projects, including improvements to existing structures, single-family homes, and developments of four or fewer dwelling units that don't require demolition. These expedited permits remain subject to public notice requirements and review periods. Projects valued under $100,000, except land divisions, also qualify for accelerated processing when proposed in areas with certified local coastal programs.

To preserve oversight, the legislation requires local governing bodies to review expedited permits at their next scheduled meeting. One-third of the members may halt a permit's implementation and require standard processing under local coastal program rules. Similarly, one-third of California Coastal Commission members retain authority to require full commission review of permits issued by the executive director. The bill removes monetary limits on emergency-related permits while maintaining these procedural safeguards.

Get Involved

Act Now!

This bill was recently introduced. Email the authors to let them know what you think about it.

Introduced By

Catherine Blakespear
Catherine BlakespearD
California State Senator

Community Outlook

No votes yet
Positive
0%
Negative
0%

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Water
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Water
Hearing scheduled for , State Capitol, Room 113
Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
Senate Floor
Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Relevant Contacts

Profile
Shannon GroveR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Benjamin AllenD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Henry SternD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Monique LimonD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Melissa HurtadoD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 8 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Shannon GroveR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Benjamin AllenD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Henry SternD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Monique LimonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Melissa HurtadoD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Kelly SeyartoR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
John LairdD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Catherine BlakespearD
Senator
Bill Author

Key Takeaways

  • Expands emergency coastal development permits to include local emergency declarations by municipalities and counties.
  • Allows expedited permits for single-family homes and small developments under $100,000 with public notice.
  • Requires local government review of emergency permits at the next scheduled meeting.
  • Eliminates monetary limits on emergency coastal development permits.

Get Involved

Act Now!

This bill was recently introduced. Email the authors to let them know what you think about it.

Introduced By

Catherine Blakespear
Catherine BlakespearD
California State Senator

Summary

Senator Blakespear's coastal development permit legislation expands local governments' authority to expedite building approvals during officially declared emergencies along California's coastline. The measure amends the California Coastal Act of 1976 to allow municipalities, counties, and special districts to bypass standard coastal permit procedures when they have formally declared a local emergency.

The bill maintains existing provisions that enable streamlined permits for certain non-emergency projects, including improvements to existing structures, single-family homes, and developments of four or fewer dwelling units that don't require demolition. These expedited permits remain subject to public notice requirements and review periods. Projects valued under $100,000, except land divisions, also qualify for accelerated processing when proposed in areas with certified local coastal programs.

To preserve oversight, the legislation requires local governing bodies to review expedited permits at their next scheduled meeting. One-third of the members may halt a permit's implementation and require standard processing under local coastal program rules. Similarly, one-third of California Coastal Commission members retain authority to require full commission review of permits issued by the executive director. The bill removes monetary limits on emergency-related permits while maintaining these procedural safeguards.

10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/21/2025)
Probability of Passing
We're working on it! Check back later.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Water
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Water
Hearing scheduled for , State Capitol, Room 113
Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
Senate Floor
Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Community Outlook

No votes yet
Positive
0%
Negative
0%

Relevant Contacts

Profile
Shannon GroveR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Benjamin AllenD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Henry SternD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Monique LimonD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Melissa HurtadoD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 8 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Shannon GroveR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Benjamin AllenD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Henry SternD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Monique LimonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Melissa HurtadoD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Kelly SeyartoR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
John LairdD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Catherine BlakespearD
Senator
Bill Author