Zbur Bill to Reduce Retail Permitting Delays Heads to Governor's Desk

AB 1693 Cuts Red Tape and Helps Retailers Open Faster While Maintaining Health and Safety Standards

SACRAMENTO, CA - Democratic Caucus Chair and Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Hollywood) announced today that AB 1693, legislation to reduce costly permitting delays for retail storefronts, has passed the California Senate and received final concurrence in the Assembly, sending the bill to Governor Gavin Newsom's desk. Sponsored by the California Retailers Association and WC3 Chambers of Commerce, a coalition of chambers in Westside Los Angeles, AB 1693 establishes a professional certification process to accelerate building permit approvals for retailers making interior improvements to existing buildings.

"California's retailers create jobs, strengthen our commercial corridors, and help make our neighborhoods vibrant places to live and work," said Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur. "But too often, unnecessary permitting delays add costs and uncertainty for businesses that are ready to invest in our communities. AB 1693 offers a practical way to make that process faster and more predictable while maintaining important health and safety standards. By improving the permitting process, we can support local businesses, encourage investment in our commercial corridors, and help get storefronts open and people to work sooner."

California's retail sector employs more than 3 million people across over 500,000 establishments and remains one of the state's largest small-business employers. Yet retailers can face lengthy building plan reviews that increase costs and delay the opening or improvement of storefronts. AB 1693 allows retailers to hire qualified, licensed architects or engineers to certify that tenant improvement plans comply with applicable building, health, and safety codes. Local building departments would be required to approve or deny complete permit applications within 20 business days, with clear timelines for resubmissions and required audits to maintain accountability and public safety.

"Retailers throughout California support local economies but unfortunately face lengthy local permitting processes across the state," said Rachel Michelin, President and CEO, California Retailers Association. "Assemblymember Zbur's AB 1693 is a commonsense proposal that will simplify local bureaucracy and support the retail industry, local economies and consumers, which are all struggling with affordability. We thank Assemblymember Zbur for his steadfast leadership and moving this bill through the legislature."

"The Beverly Hills Chamber is a strong supporter of AB 1693 and very pleased to see its passage in the Legislature," said Todd Johnson, President and CEO, Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce. "This bill will streamline the process for small mom and pop retailers and others to open and renovate their spaces while ensuring safety and compliance with the law. We give our thanks to Assemblymember Zbur for his leadership in introducing this bill and supporting a vibrant business economy."

Professional certification programs are already used in major cities including New York City, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. California adopted a similar approach for restaurants in 2025 through AB 671, authored by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks. AB 1693 extends a comparable framework to retail storefronts.

AB 1693 now heads to Governor Newsom for consideration.

Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur serves as the Democratic Caucus Chair for the California State Assembly and represents the 51st Assembly District, which includes Universal City, Hollywood, Hancock Park, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Westwood, West Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and other portions of Los Angeles.

CONTACT: Vienna Montague, (916) 319-2051, [email protected]