Governor Newsom signs Executive Order

On January 12, 2025, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-4-25 to expedite the rebuilding process following the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. The key provisions of this order include:

1. Suspension of Environmental and Coastal Regulations: The order temporarily suspends requirements under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the California Coastal Act for projects aimed at repairing, restoring, demolishing, or replacing properties substantially damaged or destroyed by the fires. This suspension applies to properties rebuilt in the same location, provided they do not exceed 110% of their original footprint and height.

2 .Extension of Price Gouging Protections: To prevent exploitation during the rebuilding phase, the order extends anti-price gouging protections for building materials, housing, storage services, emergency supplies, and construction services in Los Angeles County until January 7, 2026.

3. Streamlining Permitting Processes: The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), in collaboration with other state agencies, is tasked with identifying and recommending procedures to expedite local government permitting and approval processes. The goal is to issue all necessary permits and approvals within 30 days to facilitate rapid reconstruction.

4. Encouragement of Resilient Rebuilding: The order emphasizes incorporating measures to increase community resilience, harden homes, and ensure defensible space to build resilience to future wildfires, to the greatest extent practicable.

These measures aim to remove barriers that could delay recovery efforts and to promote the rapid and resilient rebuilding of communities affected by the wildfires.

https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/01/12/governor-newsom-signs-executive-order-to-help-los-angeles-rebuild-faster-and-stronger/

https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/EO-N-4-25-Rebuilding-Final-signed.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com