AB 1561 Summary

• Extends the timeframe for California Native American tribes to respond to lead agencies regarding housing development projects by an additional 30 days for applications completed between March 4, 2020, and December 31, 2021.

• Extends housing entitlements by 18 months if they were issued before March 4, 2020, and would expire before December 31, 2021, to provide relief during the COVID-19 pandemic-induced recession.

• Authorizes the Department of Housing and Community Development to require analysis of governmental constraints on housing development for persons with characteristics identified in the Unruh Civil Rights Act, effective January 1, 2024, contingent on legislative appropriation.

• Clarifies that housing elements must analyze constraints affecting all protected groups and allows local governments to continue exercising existing authority to extend entitlements independently.

• Specifies the extension does not apply to development agreements, tentative maps already extended for 18 months, or certain other approvals.