AB 1070CALIFORNIASession 20252026

Department of Housing and Community Development study on building standards for small-scale residential developments

Original title: Residential developments: building standards: review.

August 13, 2026

Housing Building Codes Construction Costs Residential Development Residentialdevelopments buildingstandards review

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The Frame

What this does

This study will inform potential future changes to building standards that affect the design, construction, and cost of small-scale multi-family housing developments for developers and the construction industry by 2028.

Who is mentioned in the record

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

Residential developers

Developers of small-scale multi-family housing may see changes to the building standards applicable to their projects.

Department of Housing and Community Development

The department is tasked with conducting the study, contracting with experts, and reporting findings to the Legislature.

What changed

Last recorded activity August 13, 2026.

What's next

Introduced.

Summary

The Department of Housing and Community Development is required to study whether residential projects with 3 to 10 units can be built under the California Residential Code. The department must also review construction cost pressures caused by building standards and report findings to the Legislature.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the goal of the study required by AB 1070?

The study aims to evaluate if residential developments with 3 to 10 units can be designed and built under the California Residential Code, potentially expanding its scope.

Will this bill immediately change building codes?

No. This bill mandates a study and a report. If the report recommends changes, the department would then research and propose those standards to the California Building Standards Commission for future adoption.

News Coverage

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Connected Entities

otherCalifornia Residential Code“The specific building code being evaluated for use in 3-10 unit developments.”Map →

otherCalifornia Building Standards Code“The state code governing building standards.”Map →

otherInternational Residential Code“The industry standard code currently used as a reference for building requiremen”Map →

organizationDepartment of Housing and Community Development“The department responsible for conducting the study and cost review.”Map →

organizationCalifornia Building Standards Commission“The commission responsible for adopting building standards.”Map →

Sources

Open source document

openstates.org

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance45
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy10
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment5
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz15
Current news / social attention level

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