Governor Newsom Signs Executive Order to Help Los Angeles Rebuild Faster and Stronger

Waives CEQA and Coastal Act requirements for reconstruction, extends law against price gouging

What you need to know: Governor Gavin Newsom today issued an executive order to streamline the rebuilding of homes and businesses destroyed in the recent Southern California firestorms.

LOS ANGELES - Governor Gavin Newsom today signed an executive order to suspend permitting and review requirements under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the California Coastal Act to allow victims of the recent fires to restore their homes and businesses faster.

“When the fires are extinguished, victims who have lost their homes and businesses must be able to rebuild quickly and without roadblocks. The executive order I signed today will help cut permitting delays, an important first step in allowing our communities to recover faster and stronger. I’ve also ordered our state agencies to identify additional ways to streamline the rebuilding and recovery process.”  - Governor Gavin Newsom

The executive order issued by Governor Newsom will:

• Suspend CEQA review and California Coastal Act permitting for reconstruction of properties substantially damaged or destroyed in recent Southern California wildfires.
• Direct state agencies to identify additional permitting requirements, including provisions of the Building Code, that can safely be suspended or streamlined to accelerate rebuilding and make it more affordable.
• Extend protections against price gouging on building materials, storage services, construction, and other essential goods and services to January 7, 2026, in Los Angeles County.
• Commit to working with the Legislature to identify statutory changes that can help expedite rebuilding while enhancing wildfire resilience and safety.

Governor Newsom will continue to work administratively and with the Legislature to help those affected by the recent fires rebuild what they have lost.

A copy of the executive order can be found here.