A new California law automatically approves restaurant equipment permits if your local building department doesn't review them within 10 business days.
Most California restaurant owners don't realize they now have a built-in deadline that works in their favor—but only if they know how to use it.
Under AB1915, a provision buried in the Accelerated Restaurant Equipment Permitting Approval law creates an automatic approval mechanism for a specific, common type of permit: when you're replacing kitchen equipment with like-for-like commercial gear. If your local building department doesn't act on your permit within 10 business days, it's deemed approved. No more waiting weeks or months for a response that never comes.
This rule applies to restaurants replacing existing commercial kitchen equipment—think a new hood system, fryer, or cooler going in the same spot as the old one. You don't qualify if you're expanding the kitchen, adding new equipment types, or making structural changes.
The key requirement: you must use a qualified, licensed contractor certifier who can self-certify that the replacement meets California building and health codes. That contractor signs off on code compliance; you submit the permit with their certification. Then the clock starts.
You file your permit application with the local building department. The 10 business-day clock begins. If the department reviews and approves it, great—normal process. If they have questions or need revisions, they'll contact you during that window. But if 10 business days pass and you hear nothing, the permit is automatically deemed approved. You can proceed with your equipment installation.
This matters because permitting delays are a real cost to restaurants. Equipment sits in a warehouse. Your kitchen stays down. Staff hours get shuffled. Operational plans get derailed. A hard 10-day deadline removes that uncertainty.
AB1915 became operative upon enactment. However, there's a related provision tied to California's triennial Building Standards Code update scheduled for January 1, 2027 or later, which will address restroom-related requirements. For equipment permitting under the current rule, the 10-day auto-approval is in effect now.
The legal authority for this provision is Section 66360.1(c)(2) of the Government Code, established under the new Chapter 16.
If you're planning equipment replacement, work with a contractor who understands AB1915 and can provide the required self-certification. Make sure your permit application is complete and clear—a missing detail could trigger a request for more information that resets expectations. Keep records of when you filed and when the 10 days expire. If you don't hear back, document that date; it's your approval trigger.
This isn't a loophole or a workaround. It's a deliberate policy change designed to reduce permitting friction for routine restaurant operations. It only works if you use it correctly.
For a detailed, restaurant-specific guide to AB1915 and how to structure your permitting process, contact your local restaurant association or building department for resources tailored to your jurisdiction.