California Private Permitting Review and Inspection Act: fees: building permits.
If passed, AB 2433 will amend existing procedures under the State Housing Law, effectively changing how building permits are issued and how local agencies manage their workloads. Local agencies will still have obligations to oversee compliance with building standards, but this bill creates a mutual responsibility whereby applicants are empowered to seek independent assessments when local services lag. This may lead to faster project completions and more accountability within local building departments.
Assembly Bill 2433, known as the California Private Permitting Review and Inspection Act, aims to streamline the building permit process by allowing applicants to hire private professional providers for plan-checking and inspection services under certain conditions. This is particularly relevant when local agencies do not complete these services within the specified timeframes: 30 business days for plan-checking and 5 business days for inspections. The intent behind this bill is to alleviate delays that can hinder construction projects and negatively impact the economy, especially as the state embarks on aggressive decarbonization policies.
The sentiment surrounding AB 2433 appears mixed. Proponents argue that it empowers applicants and can enhance economic development by reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks, thus facilitating timely construction. Critics, however, might contend that it undermines local authority and raises concerns about the reliability and quality of private inspections compared to those conducted by trained public employees.
Notable points of contention stem from the expansion of duties assigned to local agencies, particularly regarding the fee structures they can impose and the financial implications of this bill. There's also the consideration that by expanding the definitions of perjury and creating new responsibilities, the bill could place additional administrative burdens on local agencies without assuring adequate funding or support. Additionally, the bill explicitly excludes health facilities, public buildings, and high-rise structures, highlighting potential disparities in regulatory regimes across different building types.