California: Governor Newsom cuts more red tape by further streamlining permitting laws to accelerate rebuilding Los Angeles
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Feb 13, 2025

Governor Newsom cuts more red tape by further streamlining permitting laws to accelerate rebuilding Los Angeles

What you need to know: Governor Newsom today issued an executive order to cut more red tape and continue streamlining rebuilding, recovery, and relief for survivors of the Los Angeles area firestorms.

SACRAMENTO — Today, Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order to further cut red tape and streamline the rebuilding and recovery of homes in communities impacted by the recent Los Angeles area firestorms. The order clarifies existing exemptions, further facilitates local streamlining efforts, and implements additional recommendations by state agencies.

"We will not let overly strict regulations get in the way of rebuilding these communities. The state stands with its local partners to ensure that we cut red tape and make recovery as easy as possible."

Governor Gavin Newsom

Expanding on previous executive orders to suspend California Coastal Act and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) permitting requirements and expand the availability of temporary housing, today's order further clarifies and expands the scope of those suspensions under the Coastal Act and CEQA, in close coordination local governments and to provide the full scope of flexibility those governments have requested. The order also provides additional flexibility to facilitate rebuilding, including extending the duration of permits, ensuring homeowners can access the building plans for their homes, and allowing homes recently approved for development under modern building safety standards, including fire protection standards, to be rebuilt to the approved specifications.

Additionally, the order implements recommendations by state agencies provided in response to the Governor's January 12 executive order, which directed agencies to identify state permitting requirements that may be suspended to accelerate recovery efforts.

"I will not allow red tape to stand in the way of Angelenos who want to rebuild their homes," said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. "From allowing LA to automatically reissue permits for homes built in the last few years to quickly getting copies of building plans in the hands of residents who lost theirs in the fire, I am proud to partner with Governor Newsom to help Angelenos get back home."

"I deeply appreciate Governor Newsom's action to expedite the rebuilding process for families impacted by the devastating Los Angeles wildfires," said Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger. "His executive order provides much-needed regulatory relief, ensuring that homeowners can rebuild their homes efficiently and without unnecessary delays. By clarifying permit waivers, streamlining access to original plans, and extending key deadlines, the state is demonstrating its commitment to being a critical partner in our local recovery efforts. Los Angeles County stands ready to work alongside the Governor and state agencies to ensure a smooth and swift rebuilding process for our affected residents."

"Governor Newsom is once again stepping up for Los Angeles County in our moment of greatest need by working with us to alleviate every hurdle possible in the rebuild process," said Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath. "We will continue this successful, coordinated partnership to deliver results our communities deserve. Our focus remains on our residents, and their ability quickly and safely rebuild their homes and communities."

The executive order issued today:
  • Updates the Governor's previous executive orders waiving permitting requirements under the Coastal Act and CEQA by clarifying the scope of the waivers and that local planning or permit approval is determinative of eligibility for these suspensions.
  • Expedites rebuilds of recently constructed homes by allowing them to be rebuilt to approved specifications.
  • Helps speed access to original plans held by local planning and building departments, to minimize delays in rebuilding.
  • Extends deadlines for construction permits, to limit the administrative burden for homeowners seeking to rebuild.

Extends deadlines related to local housing element rezoning requirements for Los Angeles County so local government staff can focus fully on issuing permits for rebuilding efforts.

Read the executive order

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Historic recovery and rebuilding efforts — faster than ever before
  • Cutting red tape to help rebuild Los Angeles faster and stronger. Governor Newsom issued an executive order to streamline the rebuilding of homes and businesses destroyed — suspending permitting and review requirements under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the California Coastal Act. The Governor also issued an executive order further cutting red tape by reiterating that permitting requirements under the California Coastal Act are suspended for rebuilding efforts and directing the Coastal Commission not to issue guidance or take any action that interferes with or conflicts with the Governor's executive orders. The Governor also issued an executive order removing bureaucratic barriers, extending deadlines, and providing critical regulatory relief to help fire survivors rebuild, access essential services, and recover more quickly.
  • Providing tax and mortgage relief to those impacted by the fires. California postponed the individual tax filing deadline to October 15 for Los Angeles County taxpayers. Additionally, the state extended the January 31, 2025, sales and use tax filing deadline for Los Angeles County taxpayers until April 30 — providing critical tax relief for businesses. Governor Newsom suspended penalties and interest on late property tax payments for a year, effectively extending the state property tax deadline. The Governor also worked with state– and federally-chartered banks that have committed to providing mortgage relief for survivors in certain zip codes.
  • Fast-tracking temporary housing and protecting tenants. To help provide necessary shelter for those immediately impacted by the firestorms, the Governor issued an executive order to make it easier to streamline construction of accessory dwelling units, allow for more temporary trailers and other housing, and suspend fees for mobile home parks. Governor Newsom also issued an executive order that prohibits landlords in Los Angeles County from evicting tenants for sharing their rental with survivors displaced by the Los Angeles-area firestorms.
  • Mobilizing debris removal and cleanup. With an eye toward recovery, the Governor directed fast action on debris removal work and mitigating the potential for mudslides and flooding in areas burned. He also signed an executive order to allow expert federal hazmat crews to start cleaning up properties as a key step in getting people back to their properties safely. The Governor also issued an executive order to help mitigate risk of mudslides and flooding and protect communities by hastening efforts to remove debris, bolster flood defenses, and stabilize hillsides in affected areas.
  • Safeguarding survivors from price gouging. Governor Newsom expanded restrictions to protect survivors from illegal price hikes on rent, hotel and motel costs, and building materials or construction. Report violations to the Office of the Attorney General here.
  • Directing immediate state relief. The Governor signed legislation providing over $2.5 billion to immediately support ongoing emergency response efforts and to jumpstart recovery efforts for Los Angeles. California quickly launched CA.gov/LAfires as a single hub of information and resources to support those impacted and bolsters in-person Disaster Recovery Centers (https://mclist.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=afffa58af0d1d42fee9a20e55&id=c71be5f3ed&e=cf6d94251c). The Governor also launched LA Rises (https://mclist.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=afffa58af0d1d42fee9a20e55&id=842f82b01f&e=cf6d94251c), a unified recovery initiative that brings together private sector leaders to support rebuilding efforts. Governor Newsom announced that individuals and families directly impacted by the recent fires living in certain zip codes may be eligible to receive Disaster CalFresh food benefits (https://mclist.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=afffa58af0d1d42fee9a20e55&id=c33f81f4c9&e=cf6d94251c).
  • Getting kids back in the classroom. Governor Newsom signed an executive order to quickly assist displaced students (https://mclist.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=afffa58af0d1d42fee9a20e55&id=ec050e6c35&e=cf6d94251c) in the Los Angeles area and bolster schools affected by the firestorms.
  • Protecting victims from real estate speculators. The Governor issued an executive order to protect firestorm victims (https://mclist.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=afffa58af0d1d42fee9a20e55&id=0e76dd072d&e=cf6d94251c) from predatory land speculators making aggressive and unsolicited cash offers to purchase their property.
  • Helping businesses and workers get back on their feet. The Governor issued an executive order to support small businesses and workers (https://mclist.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=afffa58af0d1d42fee9a20e55&id=6734fb6a76&e=cf6d94251c), by providing relief to help businesses recover quickly by deferring annual licensing fees and waiving other requirements that may impose barriers to recovery.

Executive Orders (https://www.gov.ca.gov/category/executive-orders/), Recent News (https://www.gov.ca.gov/category/all/recent-news/)

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