Prepare for new residential permitting requirements with a modern, connected experience for applicants, reviewers, and staff.
California’s Residential Private Permitting Review Act (AB 253) introduces new expectations for residential permit transparency and review processes. Agencies must publish residential permit fee schedules online and support new pathways for private plan review when review timelines exceed statutory thresholds.
Many jurisdictions are using this moment as an opportunity to modernize the permitting experience, improve visibility into review timelines, and provide applicants with better access to information.
Accela helps agencies create a more transparent, efficient permitting process from application to approval.
What AB 253 means for your agency
AB 253 introduces new requirements that impact both public-facing services and internal review workflows.
Publish residential permit fee schedules online
Agencies that charge residential building permit fees must prepare and publish a residential building permit fee schedule on their public website.
With Accela, agencies can provide residents with easier access to permit information through a centralized digital experience.
Improve visibility into permit review timelines
AB 253 requires agencies to provide applicants with an estimated timeframe for completing plan review after receiving a completed application.
Accela helps agencies:
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Track review progress throughout the process
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Increase transparency for applicants
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Improve operational visibility for staff
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Reduce manual status inquiries
Giving applicants greater transparency into permit timelines can help build trust and improve customer satisfaction.
Support private plan review workflows
Under AB 253, applicants may use a qualified private professional provider when review timelines exceed certain thresholds.
Agencies need processes that can support collaboration across internal teams and external reviewers while maintaining visibility and accountability.
Accela enables:
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Electronic plan review
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Digital document management
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Reviewer collaboration
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Workflow tracking and status visibility
Three pillars of AB 253 readiness
Transparent fees
Provide applicants with easy access to residential permit fee information.
Transparent timelines
Improve visibility into permit review status and expected completion dates.
Transparent reviews
Support efficient collaboration between agency staff, applicants, and external reviewers.
Why agencies choose Accela
Accela helps state and local governments modernize community development operations through configurable permitting, planning, inspection, and citizen engagement solutions.
By bringing together applicant services, permit management, plan review, and workflow automation, agencies can create a more connected experience while adapting to changing regulatory requirements.
Ready for AB 253?
Whether you’re evaluating permit transparency requirements, applicant self-service capabilities, or plan review modernization, Accela can help you assess your current processes and identify opportunities to improve service delivery.
Learn how agencies are preparing for California’s evolving residential permitting requirements.