California: construction law and news

Deadlines for a construction-defect claim in California

Statute of repose: 10 years (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. s.337.15(a),(b),(e),(f),(g); s.337.1 (patent))

Notice before suing: required (Cal. Civ. Code ss.910-938 (SB 800 prelitigation))

Read the law · More about your rights in California

California warranty guides

The guides for California are being written and checked against the law. Nothing is published until it has been reviewed.

News

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California· September 15, 2026· Liability· Construction law

California's AB 1795 sets smoke-damage restoration standards after wildfires and keeps owners' choice of contractor

California Governor Newsom signed AB 1795, the Smoke Damage Recovery Act, which sets standards for testing and restoring smoke-damaged homes and requires insurers to follow them. Part of the law takes effect January 1, 2027.

National· May 5, 2026· Installation· Construction law

DOE pauses enforcement of commercial gas water heater efficiency standards for units made Oct. 6, 2026 to Oct. 6, 2027

The Department of Energy says it will use enforcement discretion for the thermal efficiency standards on certain commercial water heating equipment manufactured from October 6, 2026 through October 5, 2027. The policy covers gas-fired storage and instantaneous heaters and hot water supply boilers.

General information, not legal advice. Each story links to its source and to the law it describes.