129880. (a) The department may exempt from its plan review process construction or alteration projects for hospital buildings and buildings described in paragraphs (2) and (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 129725 with estimated construction costs of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) or less. The criteria for exemption shall include, but not be limited to, plans that have been stamped and signed by the design professionals of record.
(b) Projects that have been split into a series of smaller projects in order to avoid the qualifying dollar limits shall not be approved. The department shall maintain its construction observation mandate to ensure public safety and California Building Standards Code compliance for approved projects.
(c) A presubmittal meeting between the department and the design professionals shall be required for construction or alteration projects for hospital buildings and buildings described in paragraphs (2) and (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 129725 with estimated construction costs of twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) or more.
(d) The department may adopt regulations for this section to make specific the exemption criteria and processes authorized pursuant to subdivision (a), and the complete plan review process required pursuant to subdivision (c).
(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 143, Sec. 308. (AB 133) Effective July 27, 2021.)