CA SB571

Requires the Office of Planning and Research to conduct a study and prepare a report with recommendations evaluating potential improvements to state standards for ingress, egress, and evacuation routes for new residential, commercial, and industrial development in natural disasters including wildfires, flooding, and seismic activity.

Report must consider impacts on housing costs and affordability, regional transportation planning, disaster recovery, existing evacuation guidance, wildfire behavior, timeframes for safe evacuation, scaling standards based on development size and population density, vulnerable populations, emergency vehicle access, and existing route capacity.

Requires the Office of Planning and Research to convene a working group including representatives from the State Fire Marshal's office, forestry and fire protection board, housing department, emergency services, transportation agency, local governments, the building industry, and nonprofit organizations to inform the report development.

Mandates public outreach and engagement with regular opportunities for input and dialogue during report development.

Report must be submitted to the Legislature's fiscal and policy committees and the Governor by January 1, 2027, and the law automatically repeals on January 1, 2031.