CA SB1226

Requires the Department of Housing and Community Development to propose a building standard to the California Building Standards Commission authorizing local enforcement officials to issue retroactive building permits for existing residential units when no original permit record exists.

Allows enforcement officials to determine the construction date of a residential unit and apply the building standards and regulations that were in effect on that date, rather than current standards.

Declares that building officials already have discretionary authority to apply historical building standards on a case-by-case basis and to approve equivalent alternatives to current code requirements.

States the bill is declaratory of existing law, clarifying that several jurisdictions were unaware of this authority.

Approved by the Governor on September 30, 2018, and took effect as Chapter 1010.