Planning and zoning: housing development: standardized application form.

Assembly Member Haney's housing streamlining legislation establishes a standardized application process for housing development projects across California, aiming to address delays and inconsistencies in local approval procedures. The bill requires the Department of Housing and Community Development to create a uniform application form that local agencies must accept without imposing additional requirements or fees.

Under the new provisions, housing applications are deemed complete once permit processing fees are paid and basic project information is submitted, including surveys, floor plans, and architectural drawings. Local agencies are prohibited from requiring pre-application reviews, technical studies, or other supplemental materials as conditions for application completeness. The legislation also mandates that cities and counties with websites publish their development standards, fee schedules, and the state's standardized application form online.

The bill strengthens enforcement of the Housing Accountability Act by explicitly defining what constitutes a project "disapproval," including instances where agencies improperly deem applications incomplete or impose unauthorized requirements. Local agencies that violate these provisions face potential court orders and fines starting at $10,000 per housing unit, with proceeds directed to affordable housing trust funds. The law applies to all California cities, including charter cities, reflecting legislative findings that streamlining housing approvals addresses a matter of statewide concern.