Bill Sponsor
California Assembly Bill 1857
Session 20252026
Unlawfully restrictive covenants: grocery stores and supermarkets.
Active
Active
Passed Assembly on May 21, 2026
First Action
Feb 11, 2026
Latest Action
May 21, 2026
Origin Chamber
Assembly
Type
Bill
Bill Number
1857
State
California
Session
20252026
Sponsorship by Party
Democrat
Coauthor
Democrat
Principal Coauthor
Assembly Votes (3)
Summary
Existing law makes void and unenforceable any covenant, restriction, or condition contained in any deed, contract, security instrument, or other instrument affecting the transfer or sale of any interest in real property that effectively prohibits or restricts certain land uses, including the installation or use of a solar energy system or construction or use of an accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit on certain lots. Existing law authorizes a person who holds or is acquiring an ownership interest of record in property that the person believes is the subject of an unlawfully restrictive covenant, as specified, to record a restrictive covenant modification document. Before recording the document, existing law requires the county recorder to submit the modification document and the original document to the county counsel, who is required to determine whether the original document contains an unlawful restriction. This bill would make void and unenforceable against an interested party any covenant, restriction, or condition contained in any deed, contract, security instrument, lease, or other recorded or unrecorded instrument affecting the transfer or sale of any interest in real property that effectively prohibits or restricts the use of that property as a grocery store or supermarket, as defined, if a grocery store or supermarket previously operated on the property and has ceased operations and an approved restrictive covenant modification document has been recorded in the public record. The bill would entitle an interested party, as defined, to establish that an existing restrictive covenant is unenforceable by submitting a restrictive covenant modification document to the county recorder, in accordance with certain procedures, to allow the grocery store or supermarket development to proceed. By imposing additional duties on county officials, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would include findings and declarations relating to these provisions. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Actions (16)
05/21/2026
Senate
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
05/21/2026
Assembly
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 72. Noes 0.)
05/18/2026
Assembly
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
05/14/2026
Assembly
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (May 14).
04/29/2026
Assembly
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
04/20/2026
Assembly
Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
04/16/2026
Assembly
Read second time and amended.
04/15/2026
Assembly
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (April 14).
04/13/2026
Assembly
Re-referred to Com. on JUD.
04/09/2026
Assembly
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on JUD. Read second time and amended.
03/11/2026
Assembly
In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.
02/24/2026
Assembly
Re-referred to Com. on JUD.
02/23/2026
Assembly
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on JUD. Read second time and amended.
02/23/2026
Assembly
Referred to Com. on JUD.
02/12/2026
Assembly
From printer. May be heard in committee March 14.
02/11/2026
Assembly
Read first time. To print.
Sources
Record Created
Feb 12, 2026 8:44:02 AM
Record Updated
May 22, 2026 8:58:09 AM