AB 1738: State Housing Law: remote inspections.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law, the State Housing Law, establishes statewide construction and occupancy standards for buildings used for human habitation. Existing law requires the building department of every city or county to enforce the provisions of the State Housing Law, the State Building Standards Code, and other specified rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to the State Housing Law pertaining to standards for buildings used for human habitation. Existing law authorizes an officer, employee, or agent of an enforcement agency to enter and inspect any building or premises whenever necessary to secure compliance with, or prevent a violation of, any provision of the State Housing Law, the building standards published in the State Building Standards Code, and other rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to the provisions of the State Housing Law. Existing law provides certain immunities to a public entity or employee immunity relative to an inspection or license, as provided.

This bill would require a city, including a charter city, county, or city and county, except as specified, to offer a homeowner or contractor, as described, the option of requesting remote inspections for all or a subset of an inspection required by a building permit for specified works in one- or 2-family dwelling units, by either January 1, 2028, or July 1, 2028, as provided. The bill would authorize these local agencies to adopt reasonable protocols governing the technical conduct of a remote inspection, as specified. The bill would apply the above-described immunities to remote inspections. The bill would authorize these local agencies to temporarily ban the homeowner or contractor from using the remote inspection if a homeowner is found to have willfully misrepresented the work, as provided. By imposing new duties on local agencies, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The bill would include findings that changes proposed by this bill address a matter of statewide concern rather than a municipal affair and, therefore, apply to all cities, including charter cities.

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.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 7 · Republican 1

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. September 18, 2026Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 271, Statutes of 2026.
2. September 18, 2026Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 271, Statutes of 2026.
3. September 18, 2026Approved by the Governor.
4. September 18, 2026Approved by the Governor.
5. August 28, 2026Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3:30 p.m.
6. August 28, 2026Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3:30 p.m.
7. August 24, 2026Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 68. Noes 0. Page 6402.).
8. August 24, 2026Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 68. Noes 0. Page 6402.).
9. August 20, 2026In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
10. August 20, 2026In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
11. August 20, 2026Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 29. Noes 6. Page 5580.).
12. August 20, 2026Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 29. Noes 6.).