3466577v1
1 APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY
________________________
OAKLAND CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION NO. ______________ C.M.S.
INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT KEVIN JENKINS
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF AB 1738 (CARRILLO) TO MODERNIZE
LOCAL BUILDING INSPECTION PRACTICES BY AUTHORIZING
REMOTE INSPECTIONS
WHEREAS, California continues to face a severe housing affordability crisis, and unnecessary delays and costs in the permitting and inspection process contribute to the difficulty of constructing and improving housing; and
WHEREAS,local building departments devote significant staff time to routine inspections for minor residential improvements, reducing capacity to process and inspect new housing construction; and
WHEREAS, delays in scheduling inspectionsoften extending to multiple weekscan increase project costs, slow housing production, and discourage homeowners from obtaining required permits; and
WHEREAS, evidence indicates that a substantial portion of residential improvement work, including HVAC replacements, occurs without permits, undermining safety and compliance with building standards; and
WHEREAS, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many jurisdictions successfully implemented remote virtual inspections, demonstrating that technology can safely and efficiently facilitate compliance with building standards; and
WHEREAS, remote inspections can reduce travel time and costs, improve inspector safety, accelerate project timelines, support disaster recovery efforts, and increase overall permitting efficiency; and
WHEREAS, Assembly Bill 1738 (Carrillo) would require cities and counties, by July 1, 2027, to offer homeowners the option of remote inspectionsvia video or recorded mediafor specified types of work in one- and two-family dwellings, including but not limited to water heaters, HVAC systems, roofing, minor electrical and plumbing work, solar and energy storage systems, safety devices, and small accessory dwelling units except for their foundation and framing; and
WHEREAS, this proposed bill further allows local discretion for additional inspection types, including drywall, insulation, windows, decks, and small additions, while maintaining inspector judgment; and
WHEREAS, Assembly Bill 1738 (Carrillo) preserves local enforcement authority by allowing in-person audits, failure follow-ups, and temporary suspension of remote inspection privileges in cases of willful misrepresentation; and
WHEREAS, the bill requires that remote inspections be offered at no greater cost or delay than in-person inspections and extends existing legal immunities to such inspections; and WHEREAS, the bill establishes accountability through annual reporting to the California Department of Housing and Community Development regarding implementation, usage, and inspection outcomes; and
WHEREAS, the Legislature has declared that permitting and inspection efficiency is a matter of statewide concern applicable to all jurisdictions, including charter cities; and RESOLVED: The City Council of the City of Oakland that the City hereby supports Assembly Bill 1738 (Carrillo); and
FURTHER RESOLVED: That the City Council finds that expanding access to remote inspections will improve permitting efficiency, reduce costs for residents, enhance compliance with building standards, and support housing production and safety; and FURTHER RESOLVED: That the City Clerk shall transmit a copy of this resolution to
IN COUNCIL, OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA,
PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES - BROWN, FIFE, GALLO, HOUSTON, RAMACHANDRAN, UNGER, WANG, AND
PRESIDENT JENKINS
NOES
ABSENT
ABSTENTION
ATTEST:
ASHA REED
City Clerk and Clerk of the Council of the
City of Oakland, California