Lawmakers Aim to Clarify California’s “Builder’s Remedy” Housing Law

Technically it’s been on the books for the past three decades, but California’s “builder’s remedy” housing law has yet to result in a project launching construction, partly because it’s confusingly worded, the Mercury News reported. Now, some of the state’s leading legislators have introduced bills intended to clarify, but also rein in, the statute.

Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Berkeley) has introduced AB 1893, which she said would “modernize” the law. The proposed overhaul includes new perks for developers, textual edits to clear up how the law would apply and a new “streamlining” provision that would let developers bypass environmental review and public hearing requirements under certain conditions. However, it would also cap the size of builder’s remedy projects while prohibiting the law’s use in industrial zoned areas. 

AB 1886 by Assemblymember David Alvarez (D-San Diego) would specify that jurisdictions without state certified housing plans would be subject to the builder’s remedy until those plans are passed by local officials and signed off on by the California Housing and Community Development department. That’s a response to cities that have argued that the state’s stamp of approval isn’t needed, reported the Mercury News.

Industry leaders and power players are connecting at Connect Phoenix Multifamily & Single-Family Build-to-Rent on April 18 at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa. Don’t miss the expert’s take on where the market is headed, and what changes are on the horizon. Register Now!

Leaders From Rialto Capital Management, AEW, CIM, Rexford Industrial, EQR and Cushman & Wakefield come together on the Capital Markets panel at Connect Los Angeles 2024 on May 1 at the InterContinental in DTLA. Register now to hear from these industry experts and more.