Government Code (GC) section 8698.4 was established by Assembly Bill (AB) 2553 (Chapter 147, Statutes of 2020). The Governor approved AB 2553 on September 25, 2020, as an urgency statute. Upon approval, the provisions of AB 2553 became effective immediately and are scheduled to sunset on January 1, 2026, unless amended by statute.
AB 2553 amended GC section 8698.4 addressing emergency housing and the adoption of local emergency housing ordinances. GC section 8698.4 allows any city, county, or city and county to adopt by ordinance reasonable local standards and procedures for emergency housing upon declaration of a shelter crisis. GC section 8698.4 also requires that any adopted ordinances be filed with HCD.
Emergency housing ordinances filed with HCD are required to meet minimum building standards as specified in appendices located in the California Building Code (CBC) or the California Residential Code (CRC). If the ordinance does not meet the minimum standards in the appendices, findings must be made by the city, county, or city and county to explain why the minimum standards in the appendices cannot be met, but the ordinance will still protect health and safety.
Reports, ordinances, and amendments can be electronically submitted using the Local Ordinance, Amendment, and Report Portal. See Information Bulletin 2023-03 (PDF) for more information.