Two laws pertaining to building activities went into effect January 1, 2009. These bills relate to a state fee for building permits and a new declaration form for owner / builder projects.  

Building Standards Administration Special Revolving Fund
Senate Bill No. 1473 signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger on September 30, 2008, provides for the creation of the Building Standards Administration Special Revolving Fund, which is established in the State Treasury. The bill requires each city and county to collect a fee from an applicant for a building permit, assessed at the rate of $4 per $100,000 in valuation, with appropriate fractions thereof, but not less than $1.

Once appropriated, moneys deposited in this fund will be available to CBSC, the Department of Housing and Community Development, and the Office of the Fire Marshal for expenditure in carrying out the provisions of the State Building Standards Law and provision of State Housing Law that relate to building standards. Emphasis is to be placed on the development, adoption, publication, updating, and educational efforts associated with green building standards.
 
Owner / Building Declaration Forms
Assembly Bill No. 2335 modifies the existing forms, declarations, and notice to the property owner and expands the acknowledgements property owners are required to make prior to the issuance of an owner / builder building permit. Download the Owner-Builder Declaration Form (PDF) and learn more on the Owner / Builder Information page.