Part ofReal Estate →

AB 1857CALIFORNIASession 20252026

California AB 1857 voids property restrictions that block grocery store development

Original title: Unlawfully restrictive covenants: grocery stores and supermarkets.

September 4, 2026

Real Estate Grocery Stores Property Law Land Use Unlawfullyrestrictivecovenants grocerystoresandsupermarkets

Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.

Where This Stands

Currently Unknown. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Introduced.

Version history & redline

5 versions on file

Official version history is partial: 5 linked texts are unavailable or incomplete. Source links remain available below.

Comparing 04/09/26 - Amended Assembly → 04/16/26 - Amended Assembly

removed addedOfficial text

The text diff for this stage has not been computed yet.

pdf extract failed: Invalid PDF structure.

Redline computed from the official version text (record lane).View this version →

The Frame

What this does

This measure aims to address 'food deserts' by preventing property owners from using legal agreements to block new grocery stores from opening in locations where a store previously operated.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Grocery store developers

They gain the ability to challenge and remove legal restrictions that previously prevented them from opening stores on specific commercial sites.

County recorders

They are required to process new restrictive covenant modification documents, increasing their administrative duties.

Property owners

They are prohibited from enforcing or creating new restrictive covenants that block grocery store use on properties that previously hosted such businesses.

What changed

Last recorded activity September 4, 2026.

What's next

Introduced.

Summary

This bill makes it illegal to enforce property deed restrictions that prevent a site from being used as a grocery store or supermarket if the property previously hosted one. Starting January 1, 2027, it also prohibits the creation or recording of any new s that would block grocery store operations on such sites.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Why It Matters

This measure aims to address 'food deserts' by preventing property owners from using legal agreements to block new grocery stores from opening in locations where a store previously operated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this bill apply to all properties?

No, it specifically applies to properties where a grocery store or supermarket previously operated and has since ceased operations or is no longer in active use.

What happens if a property has a deed restriction blocking a grocery store?

Under this bill, an can submit a modification document to the county recorder to have that restriction declared unenforceable.

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Related Legislation

State Bill