Permitting has been in the news lately as multiple efforts to streamline or fast-track project development have been pursued. In addition to ballot measures and legislative efforts, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) spearheaded the creation of the California Permit Streamlining Academy (CaPSA), a comprehensive initiative designed to create measurable and sustainable improvements in local permitting practices throughout California. The California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED), selected through a competitive process, is now developing, managing, and implementing  CaPSA.

Today’s Environment

This work is not being done in a vacuum. CaPSA is being developed as other efforts move forward, such as recent federal legislation. HR 6644, 21st Century Road to Housing Act, passed the Senate 85-5, and House 358-32, showing rare bipartisan support and took effect on July 11, 2026. Among its many provisions, the Road Act requires the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to develop comprehensive guidance and best practices for state and local zoning frameworks.

Additionally, the Act expands National Environmental Protection Agency exemptions, exclusions, and delegation authority. It imposes 10% cuts to CDBG grants in jurisdictions with lower housing growth rates, to, in turn, give bonus awards to those with higher growth rates and authorizes $200 million in annual competitive grants for jurisdictions demonstrating improvement in housing supply growth. Local governments should be watching for opportunities to engage in public comment on the development of these details.

Closer to home, CALED tracked over 60 bills this legislative season that impact local permitting. At least 50 of those bills made it through the legislative process and to the Governor’s desk. This volume is unprecedented and reflects the concern related to overall efficiency in the mind of state legislators. The overwhelming message to cities and counties is that, permitting is a federal and state concern. If local governments do not tighten up their permitting timelines, the federal and state government will tighten their processes for them.

Even with this intervention, the process of permit streamlining isn’t simple. Governor Newsom recently vetoed SB 954 Blakespear, which would have repealed the recent CEQA exemption for advanced manufacturing that was approved as part of the budget trailer bill language in 2025.

In Newsom’s veto, he shared that, “we enacted the most significant reforms of California housing and environmental review law in decades – a long-overdue overhaul to get California building again,” highlighting the significance of that action. The exemptions from last year and the CaPSA initiative are part of a more thoughtful response to the permit process in California.

The Governor also made the important point in his veto statement that, “[p]rotecting communities and strengthening California’s advanced manufacturing economy are not mutually exclusive goals. The exemption was designed to advance both and should be given meaningful opportunity to work.”

 Help for Local Governments

As part of these broader efforts, CALED is rolling out next steps for CaPSA and inviting cities and counties to apply. The first training will be held at Fresno State University (FSU) the first week of December 2026. With only a few short months to go, now is the time to engage.

For cities and counties that want to participate, start planning the following items for your application now:

  • Identify key team members — who will make up your 5- to 6-person cohort training group?
  • Secure support from your jurisdiction’s leadership — often these changes need to be made by the leadership (county administrator, city manager, etc.) in a city or county and therefore, they should be invested in the process.
  • Identify a case study to submit — applicants will need to propose an improvement and explain why it is important and how it will benefit their community.

The application period is opening soon, so prepare now.

Beyond the Training

With limited cohort spots, most cities and counties in California will not be able to participate, which is why CaPSA has a robust model practice sharing component built in, allowing all jurisdictions to learn from the program.

Cities, counties, and private sector consultants that have already implemented effective strategies can share their wisdom and experience by submitting model practices. They can also show their support and commitment to permit streamlining and transparency by becoming Affinity Partners. Both actions can be taken on the CaPSA website.

Private sector consultants and systems improvement professionals can also participate in CaPSA as instructors or technical assistance providers. RFPs will be released soon and CALED encourages professionals with the appropriate expertise to submit proposals.

CALED knows that its strength is in its network of economic development professionals and the rollout of CaPSA is no different. CaPSA’s success will be realized through the jurisdictions that apply, those that share model practices, and the wider network of professionals that share their expertise. It is a part of a comprehensive solution and reflective of a larger change in the permitting environment. As a piece of those broader efforts, CaPSA will be instrumental in the success of California in the future. Visit the CaPSA website and sign up for the listserv to be part of that success.

This was developed by the California Association for Local Economic Development for the California Permit Streamlining Academy (CaPSA). Sign up for more updates from CaPSA.