AB 253 – 30 Days or Less for Permit Reviews
No response? No problem—move forward anyway.
AB 253 is an urgency law designed to address one of the most frustrating parts of the housing approval process: slow local permit reviews. Under this law, if a local agency fails to act on a plan review within 30 days, applicants gain the legal right to bring in a certified third-party reviewer to conduct the review instead.
This empowers homeowners and builders to keep their projects on track—even when city departments are understaffed or overwhelmed. AB 253 makes long silence no longer a roadblock.
What This Means for You
If you’re:
Building a custom home, ADU, or infill project,
Submitting plans for a remodel or addition,
Or working with tight schedules or financing deadlines,
AB 253 can help you avoid indefinite delays and keep construction moving.
Key Benefits:
30-day accountability deadline for local plan reviewers,
Right to hire a certified third-party if the deadline is missed,
Faster permitting = faster builds, less cost creep, and fewer project hold-ups,
Shifts the balance of power back toward builders and property owners.
It’s one of the most builder-friendly legislative moves in years—and it’s already in effect.
How New Avenue Homes Can Help
At New Avenue, we know how painful permit delays can be—and how critical it is to move fast once your plans are ready. AB 253 gives our team new tools to help you stay on schedule.
Here’s how we make the most of it:
We manage your plan submission and track review deadlines—so you know exactly when that 30-day window closes.
If needed, we’ll coordinate with certified third-party reviewers to get your plans approved legally and promptly.
We prepare fully compliant, review-ready plans, minimizing back-and-forth and maximizing approval speed.
You’ll always know what’s next—with full transparency and proactive project management.
Whether you’re a homeowner building your dream cottage or a small developer investing in infill housing, we’ll help you move forward without getting stuck in permit limbo.
Ready to Build Without the Waiting Game?
Schedule your free consultation today and learn how AB 253—and New Avenue’s expert support—can help you take control of your project timeline and get your plans approved faster.
