California Construction News staff writer
In a move to speed up the recovery process for homeowners and businesses affected by the recent Southern California wildfires, Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order on Saturday that suspends certain regulatory requirements, including those under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the California Coastal Act. The goal is to help rebuild homes and businesses faster and more efficiently, allowing communities to recover and strengthen in the aftermath of the devastating fires.
“For those who have lost homes and businesses, the rebuilding process must be as swift and seamless as possible,” Newsom said. “This executive order is a critical step to eliminate unnecessary delays in permitting, making it easier to get construction underway and restore what has been lost.”
Key provisions of the executive order include:
- Suspension of CEQA and Coastal Act Permitting: The order waives permitting and review requirements for properties significantly damaged or destroyed in the recent wildfires. This will allow construction projects to begin without the usual environmental and coastal review delays, providing a faster path to rebuilding for affected homeowners and businesses.
- Streamlining of Building Codes and Permits: State agencies will work to identify which additional regulatory requirements, including aspects of the Building Code, can be safely suspended or expedited to further accelerate construction and reduce costs for rebuilds.
- Extension of Price Gouging Protections: To prevent unfair inflation of costs, the order extends protections against price gouging on building materials, construction services, storage services, and other essential goods until January 7, 2026, within Los Angeles County. This ensures that construction companies and homeowners won’t face inflated prices as the region recovers.
- Focus on Wildfire Resilience: The order emphasizes the importance of rebuilding with enhanced wildfire resilience and safety in mind. Governor Newsom also committed to working with the Legislature on potential statutory changes that would support long-term recovery while improving wildfire preparedness.
For the construction industry, the executive order signals a significant opportunity for contractors, material suppliers, and workers to play a key role in the rebuilding efforts across Los Angeles County. The suspension of environmental reviews and permitting requirements is expected to expedite project timelines, while the extension of price gouging protections ensures that companies can engage in rebuilding without facing inflated material and labor costs.
Governor Newsom has pledged to continue collaborating with state agencies and the Legislature to find further ways to streamline the recovery process while ensuring that rebuilding efforts are both timely and resilient against future disasters.
A copy of the executive order can be found here.