SB 911: Transfer of real property: fire hazard severity zones: compliance documentation.

Official summary

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

(1)Existing law requires a seller of a real property that is located in a high or very high fire hazard severity zone to provide to the buyer documentation stating that the property is in compliance with specified fire safety requirements or local vegetation management ordinances. If the seller of a real property as described above has not obtained that documentation of compliance, existing law requires the seller and the buyer to enter into a written agreement pursuant to which the buyer agrees to obtain documentation of compliance with those specified fire safety requirements or local vegetation management ordinances. In a local jurisdiction that has not enacted an ordinance requiring an owner or buyer to obtain documentation of compliance, and if a state or local agency, or other government entity, or other qualified nonprofit entity, provides an inspection with documentation for the jurisdiction in which the property is located, existing law requires the buyer to obtain documentation of compliance within one year of the date of the close of escrow.

This bill would require the local fire department, or the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, as applicable, to conduct a compliance inspection at the property, as specified, if it has not received documentation of compliance from a qualified entity or otherwise certified compliance within one year of the date of the close of escrow. The bill would authorize the local fire department and the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to prioritize compliance inspections and reinspections based on certain factors.

This bill would provide that a local fire department is authorized to recover the costs of compliance inspections and reinspections, as specified. The bill would also provide that the above-described provisions do not modify the immunities granted to a local fire department under any provision of law, as specified. The bill would state that these 2 provisions do not constitute a change in, but are declaratory of, existing law.

(2)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.

(3)By increasing the duties of local entities, this 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.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 2

“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. August 30, 2026Ordered to inactive file on request of Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry.
2. August 17, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
3. August 13, 2026Assembly Rule 63 suspended.
4. August 13, 2026Read second time and amended. Ordered to second reading.
5. August 13, 2026From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (August 13).
6. August 5, 2026August 5 set for first hearing. Placed on suspense file.
7. June 30, 2026From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (June 29). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
8. June 16, 2026From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on REV. & TAX. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (June 16). Re-referred to Com. on REV. & TAX.
9. June 1, 2026From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on JUD.
10. June 1, 2026Referred to Coms. on JUD. and REV. & TAX.
11. May 22, 2026In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
12. May 22, 2026Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 33. Noes 0. Page 4417.) Ordered to the Assembly.