CA AB 956
enactedAccessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units.
California · 2025-2026 Regular Session · lower
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Quick answers
Did CA AB 956 pass?
Yes. CA AB 956 has been enacted into law. Latest recorded action (2026-09-29): Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 791, Statutes of 2026.
What is CA AB 956 about?
Existing law, the Planning and Zoning Law, provides for the creation by local ordinance, or by ministerial approval if a local agency has not adopted an ordinance, of accessory dwelling units in areas zoned for single-family or multifamily dwelling residential use in accordance with specified standards and conditions. Existing law also provides for the creation of junior accessory dwelling units by local ordinance, or, if a local agency has not adopted an ordinance, by ministerial approval, in single-family residential zones in accordance with specified standards and conditions. Existing law, the Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act, among other things, makes void and unenforceable any covenant, restriction, or condition contained in any instrument affecting the transfer or sale of any interest in a planned development, and any provision of a governing document, that effectively prohibits or unreasonably restricts the construction or use of an accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit on a lot zoned for single-family residential use that meets the above-described standards and conditions for those units. This bill would revise the provision governing prohibitions or restrictions on the construction or use of an accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit on a lot zoned for single-family residential use to instead apply to a lot zoned to allow single-family residential use. Other existing law also generally makes void and unenforceable any covenant, restriction, or condition contained in any instrument affecting the transfer or sale of any interest in real property that either effectively prohibits or unreasonably restricts the construction or use of an accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit on a lot zoned for single-family residential use that meets the above-described standards and conditions for those units. This bill would similarly revise that provision to instead apply to a lot zoned to allow single-family residential use. Existing law requires a local agency to ministerially approve a building permit application within a residential or mixed-use zone to create certain accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units, or any combination of those units, if specified conditions are met, including, among other things, requiring the ministerial approval of one detached, new construction, accessory dwelling unit that does not exceed 4-foot side and rear yard setbacks for a lot with a proposed or existing single-family dwelling, as specified. This bill would increase the number of detached, new construction, accessory dwelling units that a local agency is required to ministerially approve on lots with a proposed or existing single-family dwelling, as described above, to 2. However, the bill would expressly state that a local agency is not required to ministerially approve an application for a building permit to create a junior accessory dwelling unit on the same lot where 2 detached, new construction, accessory dwelling units have been constructed. By imposing new duties on local governments with respect to the approval of accessory dwelling units, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Who sponsors CA AB 956?
Quirk-Silva is the primary sponsor of CA AB 956, joined by 3 cosponsors.
Description
Existing law, the Planning and Zoning Law, provides for the creation by local ordinance, or by ministerial approval if a local agency has not adopted an ordinance, of accessory dwelling units in areas zoned for single-family or multifamily dwelling residential use in accordance with specified standards and conditions. Existing law also provides for the creation of junior accessory dwelling units by local ordinance, or, if a local agency has not adopted an ordinance, by ministerial approval, in single-family residential zones in accordance with specified standards and conditions. Existing law, the Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act, among other things, makes void and unenforceable any covenant, restriction, or condition contained in any instrument affecting the transfer or sale of any interest in a planned development, and any provision of a governing document, that effectively prohibits or unreasonably restricts the construction or use of an accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit on a lot zoned for single-family residential use that meets the above-described standards and conditions for those units. This bill would revise the provision governing prohibitions or restrictions on the construction or use of an accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit on a lot zoned for single-family residential use to instead apply to a lot zoned to allow single-family residential use. Other existing law also generally makes void and unenforceable any covenant, restriction, or condition contained in any instrument affecting the transfer or sale of any interest in real property that either effectively prohibits or unreasonably restricts the construction or use of an accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit on a lot zoned for single-family residential use that meets the above-described standards and conditions for those units. This bill would similarly revise that provision to instead apply to a lot zoned to allow single-family residential use. Existing law requires a local agency to ministerially approve a building permit application within a residential or mixed-use zone to create certain accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units, or any combination of those units, if specified conditions are met, including, among other things, requiring the ministerial approval of one detached, new construction, accessory dwelling unit that does not exceed 4-foot side and rear yard setbacks for a lot with a proposed or existing single-family dwelling, as specified. This bill would increase the number of detached, new construction, accessory dwelling units that a local agency is required to ministerially approve on lots with a proposed or existing single-family dwelling, as described above, to 2. However, the bill would expressly state that a local agency is not required to ministerially approve an application for a building permit to create a junior accessory dwelling unit on the same lot where 2 detached, new construction, accessory dwelling units have been constructed. By imposing new duties on local governments with respect to the approval of accessory dwelling units, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
- Introduced
- 2025-03-17
- Latest action
- 2026-09-29 — Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 791, Statutes of 2026.
- Bill type
- bill
- Last updated
- —
Subjects
Sponsors
- Quirk-Silvaauthor
- Carrillocoauthor
- Wickscoauthor
- Wienercoauthor
Committees
Not provided by source.
Action timeline
Newest first
2026-09-29
Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 791, Statutes of 2026.
became-law
2026-09-29
Approved by the Governor.
executive-signature
2026-09-04
Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.
executive-receipt
2026-08-27
From committee: That the Senate amendments be concurred in. (Ayes 10. Noes 0.) (August 27).
committee-passage
2026-08-27
Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 60. Noes 2.).
amendment-passage,committee-passage,committee-passage-favorable
2026-08-27
Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 60. Noes 2. Page 6744.).
amendment-passage,committee-passage,committee-passage-favorable
2026-08-26
Joint Rule 62(a), file notice suspended.
2026-08-26
Joint Rule 62(a), file notice suspended. (Page 6646.)
2026-08-25
In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
2026-08-25
Re-referred to Com. on H. & C.D. pursuant to Assembly Rule 77.2.
referral-committee
2026-08-25
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 27. Noes 6.).
passage,reading-1,reading-3
2026-08-13
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
reading-1,reading-2,reading-3
2026-08-12
Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.
amendment-passage,reading-1,reading-2,reading-3
2026-08-04
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
reading-1,reading-2,reading-3
2026-08-03
From committee: Be ordered to second reading pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8.
committee-passage,reading-1,reading-2
2026-07-02
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 2.) (July 1). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
committee-passage,committee-passage-favorable,referral-committee
2026-06-15
Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on L. GOV.
amendment-passage,reading-1,reading-2,referral-committee
2026-06-11
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on L. GOV. (Ayes 7. Noes 1.) (June 10).
amendment-introduction,amendment-passage,committee-passage,referral-committee
2026-05-27
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on HOUSING.
amendment-introduction,amendment-passage,committee-passage,reading-1,reading-2,referral-committee
2025-06-24
In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.
2025-06-04
Referred to Coms. on HOUSING and L. GOV.
referral-committee
2025-05-23
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
reading-1,referral-committee
2025-05-23
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 58. Noes 4. Page 1654.)
passage,reading-1,reading-3
2025-05-15
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
reading-1,reading-2,reading-3
2025-05-14
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 12. Noes 2.) (May 14).
committee-passage,committee-passage-favorable
2025-05-14
Coauthors revised.
2025-05-01
Coauthors revised.
2025-05-01
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (April 30). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
committee-passage,committee-passage-favorable,referral-committee
2025-04-28
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on L. GOV. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (April 24). Re-referred to Com. on L. GOV.
committee-passage,committee-passage-favorable,referral-committee
2025-04-24
(Pending re-refer to Com. on L. GOV.)
referral-committee
2025-04-24
Assembly Rule 56 suspended. (Page 1265.)
2025-04-07
In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.
2025-03-18
Re-referred to Com. on H. & C.D.
referral-committee
2025-03-17
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on H. & C.D. Read second time and amended.
amendment-introduction,amendment-passage,committee-passage,reading-1,reading-2,referral-committee
2025-03-17
Referred to Coms. on H. & C.D. and L. GOV.
referral-committee
2025-02-21
From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.
2025-02-20
Read first time. To print.
reading-1
Versions
- 02/20/25 - Introduced — 2025-02-20Compare
- 03/17/25 - Amended Assembly — 2025-03-17Compare
- 05/27/26 - Amended Senate — 2026-05-27Compare
- 06/15/26 - Amended Senate — 2026-06-15Compare
- 08/12/26 - Amended Senate — 2026-08-12Compare
- 09/01/26 - Enrolled — 2026-09-01Compare
- 09/29/26 - Chaptered — 2026-09-29Compare
- (document, no version)Compare
- AB956Compare
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Votes
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Local Government]
2025-04-24 · pass · 11-0
Member-level votes (12)
- Lee: yes
- Quirk-Silva: yes
- Wicks: yes
- Garcia: yes
- Ávila Farías: yes
- Caloza: yes
- Haney: yes
- Patterson: yes
- Ta: yes
- Wilson: yes
- Kalra: yes
- Tangipa: other
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
2025-04-30 · pass · 9-0
Member-level votes (10)
- Stefani: yes
- Ransom: yes
- Pacheco: yes
- Ward: yes
- Blanca Rubio: yes
- Ta: yes
- Carrillo: yes
- Ramos: yes
- Hoover: yes
- Wilson: other
Do pass.
2025-05-14 · pass · 12-2
Member-level votes (15)
- Fong: yes
- Pacheco: yes
- Pellerin: yes
- Mark González: yes
- Hart: yes
- Ta: yes
- Calderon: yes
- Solache: yes
- Caloza: yes
- Elhawary: yes
- Wicks: yes
- Arambula: yes
- Sanchez: no
- Dixon: no
- Tangipa: other
AB 956 Quirk-Silva Assembly Third Reading
2025-05-23 · pass · 58-4
Member-level votes (79)
- DeMaio: yes
- Soria: yes
- Lee: yes
- Hadwick: yes
- Valencia: yes
- Rogers: yes
- Schultz: yes
- Bennett: yes
- Blanca Rubio: yes
- Zbur: yes
- Ta: yes
- Alanis: yes
- Carrillo: yes
- Haney: yes
- Flora: yes
- Bonta: yes
- Connolly: yes
- Rivas: yes
- Ahrens: yes
- Patterson: yes
- Alvarez: yes
- Harabedian: yes
- Addis: yes
- Bauer-Kahan: yes
- Fong: yes
- Lackey: yes
- Ávila Farías: yes
- Jeff Gonzalez: yes
- Berman: yes
- Ward: yes
- Gipson: yes
- Jackson: yes
- Lowenthal: yes
- Arambula: yes
- Mark González: yes
- Stefani: yes
- Gabriel: yes
- Gallagher: yes
- Ramos: yes
- Wallis: yes
- Ortega: yes
- Papan: yes
- Patel: yes
- Ransom: yes
- Schiavo: yes
- Michelle Rodriguez: yes
- Elhawary: yes
- Bains: yes
- Celeste Rodriguez: yes
- Aguiar-Curry: yes
- Garcia: yes
- Krell: yes
- Hoover: yes
- Caloza: yes
- McKinnor: yes
- Quirk-Silva: yes
- Kalra: yes
- Pellerin: yes
- Dixon: no
- Macedo: no
- Boerner: no
- Davies: no
- Bryan: other
- Petrie-Norris: other
- Sharp-Collins: other
- Calderon: other
- Hart: other
- Ellis: other
- Irwin: other
- Nguyen: other
- Castillo: other
- Pacheco: other
- Sanchez: other
- Solache: other
- Wilson: other
- Chen: other
- Muratsuchi: other
- Wicks: other
- Tangipa: other
Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Local Government]
2026-06-10 · pass · 7-1
Member-level votes (10)
- Pérez: yes
- Arreguín: yes
- Durazo: yes
- Cabaldon: yes
- Cortese: yes
- Grayson: yes
- Padilla: yes
- Seyarto: no
- Caballero: other
- Ochoa Bogh: other
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
2026-07-01 · pass · 5-2
Member-level votes (7)
- Laird: yes
- Cervantes: yes
- Ashby: yes
- Arreguín: yes
- Durazo: yes
- Choi: no
- Seyarto: no
Related bills
No related bills recorded for this bill.
Official source
Attribution
Data from openstates_api_sync, retrieved 2026-10-02T16:30:09.560363Z
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