On January 12, 2025, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an Executive Order in furtherance of his January 7 State of Emergency declaration to expedite recovery efforts following the devastating fires in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
The three key points from the order include:
1) Suspension of Key Regulations
• The order suspends California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review and California Coastal Act permitting for properties and facilities substantially damaged or destroyed by the fires, provided that the new construction occurs substantially in the same location as, and does not exceed 110% of the original footprint and height of, properties and facilities that were legally established and existing immediately before the emergency.
2) Extended Price Gouging Protections
• The order extends price gouging protections for essential building materials, housing and storage services, and repair, construction, and emergency clean-up services until January 7, 2026, in Los Angeles County.
3) Streamlining Rebuilding Efforts
• State agencies, including the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), are tasked with identifying additional permitting barriers and provisions of the California Building Code that can be suspended or streamlined to expedite recovery, improve affordability, and streamline the reconstruction or replacement of residential properties destroyed or damaged by fire.
• The State will work with the Legislature to identify long-term statutory changes to facilitate rapid rebuilding and improve fire resilience in affected areas, including potential incentives for fire-hardening measures.
Governor Newsom emphasized the importance of removing obstacles to rebuilding and working with the Legislature to further support recovery efforts while enhancing wildfire resilience.
A copy of the executive order can be found here.
