Building Industry Advocacy

BIA Coachella Valley Advocacy Wins – 2025

• Secured Support for IID Substation Projects
  Successfully advocated for the Imperial Irrigation District’s Avenue 58 Substation Upgrade and the Cook St./Thousand Palms Substation—critical infrastructure investments that improve regional reliability and support future housing development.
• Protected Housing Affordability in Palm Desert (DIF Win)
  Worked with City of Palm Desert leadership to divert a proposed Development Impact Fee (DIF) increase, ensuring that builders and homebuyers were not burdened with unnecessary added costs.
• Advanced Palm Desert Sign Program Reforms
  Received support from Palm Desert elected officials to work with city staff to secure support for a BIA sign program to help promote projects for our builders.

Los Angeles/Ventura County Advocacy Wins – 2025

SCV Utility & Development Committee

• SCV Water Agency has long been known for slow, inconsistent, and inefficient processes. Your Advocacy Team conducted a series of one-on-one meetings with Board members and senior staff to press for improvements. In September, the SCV Water Board approved a major overhaul of how development service fees are assessed—transitioning from a confusing, deposit-based system to a streamlined, fixed-fee structure.
  This reform delivers:
  • Predictable costs: Clear, upfront pricing to support better planning
  • Faster approvals: Reduces project timelines by 3–4 months
  • Greater transparency: Consistent expectations for applicants

LA County One-Stop Recovery Permitting Center

• We successfully advocated to the LA County Board of Supervisors for approval of the One-Stop Recovery Permitting Center in Altadena. The center will provide unified permitting authority, a streamlined review process, and improved interagency coordination.

Improved LA County Planning Engagement

• We prioritized rebuilding our working relationship with the LA County Planning Department. We now hold regular in-person meetings with senior staff, and our Advocacy Team has already received pre-briefings on upcoming updates to the Oak Tree Ordinance and the Community Wildfire Protection Ordinance.

Housing Project Approvals

• Our efforts supported approvals for multiple housing projects across the region, including Glendora, Oxnard, Ventura, and Artesia.

Bridge & Thoroughfare Credit Program Reform – City of Santa Clarita

• We initiated a formal dialogue with the City of Santa Clarita to begin reforming its Bridge & Thoroughfare Credit Program.

Santa Clarita Valley Utility Commission Established

• We launched the Santa Clarita Valley Utility Commission, bringing together our Members with the County of Los Angeles, City of Santa Clarita, SCV Water Agency, Water Works 36, SCE, SoCalGas, and the SCV Economic Development Corp. This group provides timely updates and works through challenges affecting our members’ projects.

Developer Agency Working Group – Antelope Valley

• In partnership with AV Edge, we established the Developer Agency Working Group, which connects our Members with the County of Los Angeles, City of Lancaster, City of Palmdale, AVEK, Water Works 40, Palmdale Water District, Quartz Hill Water District, SCE, SoCalGas, and AT&T to collaboratively address project-related issues.

Ventura Working Group Re-Established

• We re-launched the Ventura Working Group, creating a consistent forum for builders and industry professionals to exchange updates, identify challenges, and share insights across the region.

Leadership Appointments

• Chapter President Nathan Keith and Board Member Dan Faina were appointed to the Santa Clarita City Planning Commission – strengthening our chapter’s voice and influence in local decision-making.

Orange County Advocacy Wins – 2025

• Aliso Viejo
  • Worked with multiple builders to lower fees regarding new construction park impacts

•  Anaheim
  • Worked with builder and council to avoid growing community concerns regarding new construction impacts

• Buena Park
  • Stood at the forefront of advocacy on a growing concern about the city’s development process relating to a Climate Action Plan
  • Fought against a significant DIF increase, securing phased implementation over several years to ensure no builder is caught with surprise costs

• Costa Mesa
  • BIA has met with the City, appeared before council and continues to fight for increased housing allocation at the Fairview Development Center as the city considers reuse of this prime land
  • BIA spoke in favor of a member project and helped to secure approval of new for-sale housing in the city

•  County
  • BIA participated on the drafting of a Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, carefully working with diverse stakeholders to ensure no new liabilities are created for the home building industry. A vote on final, heavily reviewed language is expected by end of year.

• Garden Grove
  • BIA appeared before the Planning Commission and Council to help secure approval of important for-sale housing in a critical location within the city

•  Irvine
  • BIA lead the charge to stop a $4 BILLION impact fee on business and residents of Irvine. Presented under the guise of a Climate Action Plan, this multi-billion dollar disaster would have ground new housing production to a halt.
  • BIA helped the city of Irvine by supporting its General Plan though a critical review

• Irvine Ranch Water District
  • BIA was the lead voice in pushing back against costly new fees established by IRWD on new construction. Without our efforts, new fees would have proceeded unchallenged

• Laguna Hills
  • BIA stood as a strong voice in fighting proposed fee increases that would impact the industry

• Laguna Niguel
  • BIA has continued to fight for housing to be included as part of the base zoning for the ziggurat building as the city continues to consider it future uses. Currently the city is reviewing the General Plan and BIA believe opportunity for housing inclusion exists

• Laguna Woods
  • BIA was the lone voice in opposing new Inclusionary Zoning fees proposed by the city

• Newport Beach
  • BIA was excited to testify in support of new housing in the city, helping to secure approval of new for-sale housing by a member

•  Stanton
  • BIA was the lone voice opposing new fee structures that would increase the cost of creating new housing in the city

•  Tustin
  • BIA worked with city leadership to help secure upzoning in several locations that will help bring more housing to Orange County

Workshop

• New Laws Update
• Affordable Housing Seminar
• AB 130 Seminar – zoom

Outreach

• Concluded term as OCTax Chairman where the role of BIA was enhanced by our hosting of a newly elected officials breakfast/networking hour
• Served again as the South Orange County Economic Coalition’s Advocacy Chair where we hosted a Meet the Mayors breakfast reception
• Partnered with coalition partners, the Orange County Business Council to help review their annual Housing Policy Guidance Document, thereby guiding policy creation in the region
• Served on the Orange County Council of Governments, providing critical insights directly to elected officials as they took positions on Industry-Critical policies like RHNA, VMT, and more.

BIASC Riverside County Advocacy Wins – 2025

• Eastvale
  • Opposed the proposed DIF increase and its implementation.

• Jurupa Valley
  • Advocated for two successful member project approvals at both Planning Commission and City Council.

•  Menifee
  • Assisted in the successful approval of a member specific plan amendment to allow a long stalled residential project to move forward.

•  Perris
  • Supported a member mixed-use project to allow the project a path to move in current market conditions.

Special Districts:

• EMWD
  • Worked with the district on a revised CFD/JCFA policy that preserves builders access to this important financing tool.

•  EVMWD
  • Led the coalition that secured a nearly 20% decrease in proposed increased water and sewer connection fees as well as securing an 18-month phase in of the new fees.

• Rubidoux Community Services District
  • Led the opposition to a 172% increase in new water connection fees and 13% increase in new sewer connection fees leading the district to withdraw the current nexus study and start the process over.

• Valley Wide Parks and Recreation District
  • Organized the opposition against a proposed 72% Quimby fee increase, that is now stalled and under further review and scrutiny by the County of Riverside.

• Western Riverside County Regional Conservation Authority
  • Worked with the RCA to begin the process of listing the Crotches Bumblebee to the existing Western Riverside County MSHCP which will in the long-term bypass CDFW individual take requirements.

Other:

• Edison
  • Testified at CPUC for on-going approvals for the Riverside Transmission Reliability Project (RTRP) that will provide additional power supply in the City of Riverside and increase grid reliability in western Riverside County.

 

San Bernardino County Advocacy Wins – 2025

Rancho Cucamonga DIF

• City staff introduced updated DIF studies in February and granted a continuance to April 16 (non-transportation) and May 7 (transportation).
• NON-TRANSPORTATION DIF STUDY: Following further discussion with BIA, the city staff revised the land acquisition costs from $987k per acre to $850k per acre in addition to removing 46 acres proposed for future land acquisition.
• The City Council adopted a reduced DIF on April 16 as noted below: Click here, Staff Report and Final Adopted Fee Schedule
  • For the City’s standard single family unit (2,500 SF) the original proposed DIF was approximately $26.6k/unit, or a 100% increase from current fees. After the BIA’s efforts, the final fee decided on was $12.5k/unit, which is actually a 6% decrease from the current fees.
  • For the City’s standard multifamily unit (1,700 SF) the original proposed DIF was approximately $16.7k/unit, or an 84% increase from current fees. After the BIA’s, the final fee decided on was $9.8k/unit, which is only an 8% increase from current fees.
  • Please note, the fee per unit and percentage change from current fees varies depending on the unit size and whether it is single family or multifamily. The above discusses only the fee changes for each of the City’s “standard” unit sizes.
  • Developers with applications submitted prior to close of business on April 16, 2025, and are subsequently deemed complete, may elect to proceed forward under the new or old Development Impact Fee Program. Proceeding forward under the old development impact fee program will be permitted so long as entitlements are received and building permits are pulled prior to July 1, 2026.

 TRANSPORTATION DIF STUDY

• The City Council voted 5-0 on May 7 to adopt the Transportation DIF as recommended on Agenda Item G1 (staff report attached). Staff report click here
• For the City’s standard single family detached unit (2,500 SF) the original proposed Transportation DIF was approximately $36.4k/unit, or a 175% increase from current fees. After the BIA’s efforts, the final fee decided on was $10.4k/unit in the North Zone (22% decrease from current fees), $15.1k/unit in the Central Zone (14% increase from current fees), and $13.7k/unit in the South Zone (4% increase from current fees).
• For the City’s standard single family attached unit (1,700 SF) the original proposed Transportation DIF was approximately $27.8k/unit, or a 206% increase from current fees. After the BIA’s efforts, the final fee decided on was $7.9k/unit in the North Zone (13% decrease from current fees), $11.5k/unit in the Central Zone (27% increase from current fees), and $10.5k/unit in the South Zone (16% increase from current fees).
• For the City’s standard multifamily low-rise unit (1,700 SF) the original proposed Transportation DIF was approximately $25.9k/units, or a 186% increase from current fees. After the BIA’s efforts, the final fee decided on was approximately $7.4k/unit in the North Zone (18% decrease from current fees), $10.7k/unit in the Central Zone (19% increase from current fees), and $9.8k/unit in the South Zone (8% increase from current fees).
• Please note, the fee per unit and percentage change from current fees varies depending on the unit type, size, and zone within the City. The above discusses only the fee changes for each of the City’s “standard” single family detached, attached, and multifamily low-rise unit sizes.

Apple Valley Fire District

• Fire District Board Members voted in support of BIA request to bring an agenda item forth on Oct 6 to consider adjustment the implementation of a fee update from Oct 11 to January 1, 2026 (from $700 to approximately $2,200).

Chino Hills

• The Chino Hills City Council voted unanimously to support the BIA’s recommendation for a three-year phase-in of the City’s proposed Park Fee increase. This important decision reflects the strength of our advocacy efforts and the value of continued industry engagement.
• The current park fee for both single-family and multifamily units is $3,926.14 per unit. Beginning January 1, 2026, the City will implement the first of three annual increases, applying 33% of the net proposed fee increase on January 1, 2026, 2027, and 2028.
• City staff estimates that the phase-in approach will reduce projected fee revenue by approximately $2.4 million, helping ease near-term cost burdens on the industry.
• Revised Net Increases (Based on BIA-Supported Nexus Study Review)
  • Multifamily
    • $11,393 total increase (290%)
    • $7,071 for acquisition
    • $3,691.86 for improvements
    • Original proposal: 311% (reduced by 21%)
    • Year 1 Phase-In (Jan. 1, 2026): Approx. $3,800
  • Single-Family
    • $17,610 total increase (449%)
    • $10,772 for acquisition
    • $6,837.86 for improvements
    • Original proposal: 503% (reduced by 54%)
    • Year 1 Phase-In (Jan. 1, 2026): Approx. $5,800

Chino Park Development Impact Fee (DIF) – The Chino City Council voted 5-0 on 6/16 to forego a proposed 90% Park Fee increase (see chart below).

• Instead the City Council adopted and alternative calculation recommended by BIA and resulting in an 11% increase and effective beginning August 17:
  • SF increase of $1,514 per unit to $15,442
  • MF increase of $1,174 per unit to $11,973
  • Moving forward the City and BIA will coordinate on a comprehensive DIF update over the next 12-18 months.

Ontario DIF

• The Ontario City Council on March 18, voted in support of an updated DIF Schedule with an effective date of July 1, 2025. The City has agreed to the following accommodations regarding the effective date of the ordinance. See Item 22 – Page 12 of the City Staff report for details. Click here and click here to see BIASC’s comment letter.
• Given the significance of the fee increase, the fees will be phased in over time: 50% of the fee increase will be effective July 1, 2025 and 50% of the fee increase will be effective July 1, 2026.
• Please note the established “Safe Harbor” date of May 30, 2025 and May 30, 2026 respectively.

Ontario User Fee – The Ontario City Council voted unanimously on June 18 to adopt a user fee increase but will forego an immediate 100% cost recovery (click to review Building-Engineering-Planning User Fees). Instead the City agreed to an alternative proposed fee increase of 66% cost recovery which will be implemented on October 1, 2025; and move to full cost recovery on July 1, 2026, subject to prior review of market conditions.

 Victor Elementary School District revised the site acquisition cost from $256,592 to $135,736 as recommended by BIA staff resulting in a proposed Level 2 fee decrease from $4.34 sf to of $4.13.

 SCE Capacity Taskforce – ongoing

• Submittal Requirements – To make way for earlier submittal, SCE provided BIA with the following framework language on June 6: “Moving forward, SCE will be able to proceed with a substantially complete submittal. Please note that the definition of ‘substantially complete’ may vary depending on the specific type of project.” During our 7/17 meeting, it was further clarified that “substantially complete” submittal requirements have been adjusted to allow for 65% approved street improvement plans, rather than the previously required 100%, to enable earlier design initiation and improve overall project timelines. However, the 100% approval is still required before final design, bills, and contracts.
• The BIA TAC continues to pursue other recommendations to pursue from the BIA position paper including: Click here to review the BIA Position Paper

Solar Activation

• Several of our members have brought an urgent issue to our attention regarding activation delays for solar systems, with current wait times extending to three to four months.
• It has come to our attention that recently completed owner occupied residential communities are without solar activation. BIA meet with SCE senior staff to clarify a solution.
• These issues may now be addressed by transferring the primary customer application to the builder company to complete the process