By Staff Writer
SACRAMENTO — California lawmakers have approved sweeping changes to how logistics and trucking facilities are planned, sited, and regulated across the state, adopting a uniform framework intended to replace a patchwork of local rules that industry leaders say has created uncertainty and inefficiency for years.
The new law, known as Uniform Logistics & Trucking Facility Rules (Assembly Bill 98), establishes statewide standards for logistics facility development and truck routing while addressing long-standing concerns over traffic congestion, environmental impacts, and emissions. The legislation took effect on January 1, 2026, giving local governments, developers, and trucking operators roughly a year to prepare for implementation.
Supporters say AB 98 provides much-needed consistency in a sector that is critical to California’s economy but has increasingly faced regulatory fragmentation. Critics, however, warn that the new standards could constrain local control and impose additional compliance costs on already stressed supply chains.
Ending a Patchwork of Local Rules
For decades, logistics facilities — including warehouses, distribution centers, and truck terminals — have been regulated primarily at the local level. Cities and counties often imposed their own zoning requirements, truck route restrictions, operating hour limits, and environmental mitigation measures. While intended to address community concerns, the result has been a complex and sometimes conflicting web of regulations across jurisdictions.
AB 98 aims to resolve that inconsistency by creating uniform statewide standards governing where logistics facilities can be built, how truck traffic is routed, and what baseline mitigation measures must be in place. Under the new law, qualifying facilities that comply with the state framework will no longer be subject to overlapping or contradictory local requirements in covered areas.
“Logistics does not stop at city limits,” said one industry representative familiar with the bill. “Trucks move through multiple jurisdictions in a single day. A uniform set of rules brings predictability that businesses and drivers need.”
Truck Routing and Traffic Management
A central component of AB 98 is its treatment of truck routing. The legislation establishes statewide criteria for designated truck routes serving logistics facilities, with the stated goal of reducing congestion in residential neighborhoods while maintaining efficient freight movement.
Local governments will still play a role in identifying appropriate routes, but those routes must align with state standards intended to ensure continuity across city and county boundaries. In practice, this means that trucks serving a logistics hub should not encounter conflicting restrictions as they move from one jurisdiction to another.
Transportation planners say the approach could reduce bottlenecks caused by inconsistent signage and enforcement, while also improving safety by directing heavy vehicles onto roads designed to handle freight traffic.
Environmental and Emissions Provisions
AB 98 also addresses environmental concerns that have increasingly shaped land-use debates around logistics development. Communities near major freight corridors have long raised alarms about air quality, noise, and health impacts associated with truck traffic.
The new law sets baseline emissions and mitigation standards for covered facilities, including requirements tied to truck access, facility design, and operational practices. These statewide standards are intended to provide a consistent environmental floor, rather than leaving emissions mitigation entirely to local negotiation.
Environmental advocates have offered cautious support, noting that uniform standards can prevent a “race to the bottom” in which facilities locate in jurisdictions with the weakest rules. At the same time, some groups argue the law does not go far enough and worry that preemption of local authority could limit communities’ ability to impose stricter protections.
Implications for Local Governments
One of the most debated aspects of AB 98 is its impact on local control. Cities and counties have traditionally relied on zoning and conditional use permits to shape logistics development within their borders. By replacing certain local regulations with statewide standards, the law limits how far jurisdictions can go in imposing unique or additional requirements.
State lawmakers behind the bill say the measure strikes a balance, preserving local input while eliminating conflicting rules that hinder statewide freight mobility. Local officials, however, have expressed mixed reactions.
Some municipalities welcome the clarity, particularly those that have struggled to balance economic development with resident opposition. Others worry they will lose flexibility to respond to site-specific concerns, especially in densely populated areas already burdened by truck traffic.
Industry Reaction and Preparation
For logistics operators, trucking companies, and developers, the year-long runway before the law takes effect is critical. Companies are now reviewing project pipelines, lease agreements, and routing plans to ensure alignment with the new standards.
Industry groups have emphasized the importance of early guidance from state agencies, noting that clarity on definitions, applicability thresholds, and enforcement mechanisms will be essential to a smooth transition.
“There’s broad support for consistency,” said one logistics consultant. “But the details will matter. How the rules are interpreted will determine whether this truly streamlines development or simply shifts compliance burdens.”
A Broader Economic Context
The adoption of AB 98 comes at a time when California’s logistics sector is under pressure from multiple directions, including rising operating costs, evolving environmental mandates, and shifting trade patterns. Ports, warehouses, and trucking networks remain vital to the state’s role as a gateway for domestic and international commerce.
Proponents argue that a predictable regulatory environment is necessary to keep freight moving efficiently while addressing legitimate community and environmental concerns. Without reform, they say, fragmented rules could push investment to other states with more consistent frameworks.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As the January 1, 2026 effective date approaches, attention will turn to implementation. State agencies are expected to issue guidance and possibly regulations clarifying how the law will be applied, while local governments will need to align planning documents and ordinances with the new standards.
Whether AB 98 succeeds in harmonizing economic efficiency with environmental and community protections remains to be seen. What is clear is that the law represents a significant shift in how California governs logistics and trucking infrastructure — one that could reshape freight development statewide for years to come.