Existing law, the Permit Streamlining Act, requires a public agency to determine whether an application for a development project is complete within specified time periods, as specified. The act requires a public agency that is the lead agency for a development project to approve or disapprove that project within specified time periods. Existing law, the California Emergency Services Act, among other things, authorizes a local emergency to be proclaimed by the governing body of a city, county, or city and county, as specified, and grants political subdivisions various powers and authorities in periods of local emergency.
This bill would prohibit, during the period of a local emergency, a local agency from denying an application for a permit necessary to rebuild or repair a residential property affected by a natural disaster unless the permit would result in the property being deemed a substandard building. The bill would require the local agency to approve or disapprove that application within 45 days of receipt of the application, and would require other expedited approvals. The bill would prohibit specified fees from being charged for these projects. By imposing new duties on local agencies, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The bill would include findings that changes proposed by this bill address a matter of statewide concern rather than a municipal affair and, therefore, apply to all cities, including charter cities.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.