CA AB457

Expands streamlined, ministerial approval process for farmworker housing developments to Fresno, Madera, and Merced counties, adding them to existing eligibility for Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties

Increases the maximum size of eligible agricultural employee housing developments from 36 units to 150 units for projects located in Fresno, Madera, or Merced counties

Developments must be within 15 miles of designated farmland or grazing land and cannot be on or adjacent to sites where more than one-third of square footage is dedicated to industrial use

Housing must be operated by a certified qualified affordable housing organization with an affordability covenant recorded for at least 55 years, ensuring availability to lower income agricultural workers

Approved by Governor on October 10, 2025; no state reimbursement to local governments required as they may levy fees to cover implementation costs