Assemblymember Christopher Ward is championing AB 253, a bill designed to significantly accelerate housing construction in California by implementing a "shot clock" for permit approvals. Known as the California Residential Private Permitting Review Act, the legislation seeks to address the state's severe housing crisis by streamlining bureaucratic processes. Ward recently highlighted the urgency of this initiative during a visit to a stalled carport-to-apartments project in Pasadena, which remains in permit limbo despite escalations.
AB 253 proposes that if local governments fail to complete housing permit reviews within 30 days, developers would be authorized to engage licensed and certified third-party reviewers. This mechanism is designed to bypass lengthy municipal delays, ensuring projects can move forward without being indefinitely stalled. The bill aims to free up city resources while accelerating the development of much-needed housing units across the state.
California faces an ongoing housing crisis, with the state needing to build approximately 180,000 additional housing units annually to keep pace with population growth, yet historically building fewer than 80,000 per year. The high cost of housing and persistent permit delays are major contributors to this critical shortage. The stalled Pasadena project serves as a tangible example of the systemic issues AB 253 seeks to resolve.
Assemblymember Ward, featured on Spectrum News 1 for his advocacy, emphasized the critical need for this reform. In a recent social media post, he stated, > "AB 253 sets clear timelines & allows 3rd-party review to break bureaucracy. We can’t solve CA’s housing crisis without it!" The bill has garnered significant support from organizations like California YIMBY, the Bay Area Council, and the California Building Industry Association.
While proponents champion the bill as vital for increasing housing supply, the League of California Cities has voiced opposition. Their concerns center on potential erosion of local control and the risk of conflicts of interest with third-party reviewers. Introduced on January 15, 2025, AB 253 is currently navigating the legislative process, with its proponents arguing it is an essential step toward alleviating California's persistent housing shortage.