A critical analysis for local jurisdictions and building professionals.

California’s housing crisis has prompted unprecedented legislative action, and AB 130 (formerly AB 306) represents one of the most significant shifts in local building authority in decades. Signed into law on June 30, 2025, as part of the state budget package, this legislation fundamentally alters when and how local jurisdictions can modify building standards for residential projects. For sustainability professionals and local governments working on reach codes, understanding these new constraints— and the limited exceptions—is crucial for strategic planning.

The New Reality: A Building Standards Freeze for Residential Projects

From October 1, 2025, through June 1, 2031, AB 130 imposes a near-complete moratorium on local modifications to building standards affecting residential units, with certain exceptions. This includes the prohibition of new decarbonization ordinances and most reach codes that exceed state minimums. The legislation reflects the state’s prioritization of housing production over local environmental standards, marking a dramatic policy shift. For the building community, this means that the era of adopting high-performance local building standards for residential construction has ended except for those communities who previously incorporated these requirements into their general plan.

Consider Timing Strategy

For qualifying jurisdictions with approved general plans before June 10, 2025, the opportunity exists to develop comprehensive long-term reach code strategies that align with existing policy commitments. For non-qualifying jurisdictions, the priority must be immediate adoption before September 30, 2025, as this represents the final window before the building standards freeze takes effect.

The Critical Exception: The General Plan Pathway

However, AB 130 includes a narrow but important exception that creates opportunities for jurisdictions with foresight in their planning processes. Local building standard modifications are permitted if “the changes are necessary to implement a local code amendment to align with a general plan approved on or before June 10, 2025.” This exception creates a two-tier system of jurisdictions: those with qualifying general plans and those without.

Eligible jurisdictions must have an approved general plan dated on or before June 10, 2025, with specific policies that require building code modifications for implementation, and a demonstrable nexus between the general plan goals and proposed building standards. It is important that each local government perform their legal interpretation for applicability to their own jurisdiction.

Important Note: Non-Residential Buildings Remain Unaffected

While AB 130 significantly restricts modifications to residential building standards, non-residential buildings are not subject to these limitations. Local jurisdictions retain full authority to develop and implement reach codes for:

  • Commercial buildings
  • Office buildings
  • Industrial facilities
  • Institutional buildings
  • Mixed-use projects (for the non-residential portions)

This creates an important opportunity for jurisdictions to continue advancing sustainability goals through the commercial building sector while residential reach codes face restrictions. Communities can still pursue aggressive decarbonization strategies for their commercial building stock without the constraints imposed by AB 130.

Strategic Implications for Forward-Thinking Jurisdictions

Communities that adopted qualifying general plans before June 10, 2025, now hold a valuable asset. These jurisdictions can potentially develop reach codes if they can demonstrate that building standard modifications are necessary to implement existing general plan commitments.

Next Right Action for Qualifying Jurisdictions

Jurisdictions with qualifying general plans must conduct a comprehensive general plan assessment, reviewing all plans approved before June 10, 2025, to identify specific policies that could justify building standard modifications and document clear connections between adopted policies and proposed reach codes.

Next, develop a robust implementation framework by creating detailed strategies that tie building standards directly to general plan objectives, preparing documentation that demonstrates proposed modifications are “necessary” rather than merely preferable, and engaging legal counsel to ensure the nexus is legally defensible.

Finally, execute strategic implementation by beginning reach code development as a next step while building necessary documentation, establishing clear timelines for completing the adoption process, and preparing for potential state scrutiny of the “necessity” justification.

For assistance with general plan analysis, reach code development, or AB 130 compliance strategies, contact our team of sustainable building policy experts at info@integrateddesign360.com. We provide specialized support to help jurisdictions navigate these complex new requirements while advancing their sustainability goals.