Publication
Governor Newsom Issues Executive Order Extending Protections for Homeowners and Renters Related to LA Fires
Quick Take
On March 7, 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-23-25 (the Order), extending certain protections for homeowners and renters affected by the multiple fires in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties earlier this year (the LA Fires).
Key Provisions of Executive Order N-23-25
Executive Order N-23-25, issued by Governor Gavin Newsom on March 7, 2025, extends restrictions related to state price gouging for rental housing, hotels, and motels, extends protections for individuals living in temporary housing (including in hotels, motels, and other short-term housing), and supports residents displaced by the LA Fires who are experiencing homelessness.
Specifically, the Order extends to July 1, 2025:
- the protections triggered under a state of emergency that prohibit price gouging for rental housing as well as for hotel and motel rates, and the eviction of a residential tenant for purposes of re-letting the unit at a higher price
- the exemption for large homes (defined as single family homes of four bedrooms or more) in certain ZIP Codes to encourage such homes to enter the rental market
- the exemption for residential units in newly constructed buildings (defined as housing first issued a certificate of occupancy after January 1, 2025) that have not been previously on the market, to enable pricing flexibility to help offset higher financing costs for new construction
- the suspension of a provision limiting the price gouging protections to leases of one year or less, which is intended to halt the practice of certain landlords attempting to circumvent the price gouging protections by requiring longer leases
- the suspension of laws related to the establishment of tenancy after 30 days’ occupancy in hotels, motels, and other temporary housing to increase the availability of short-term accommodations for persons displaced by the LA Fires
The Order also supports residents displaced by the LA Fires who are experiencing homelessness by prioritizing them on the waiting lists for affordable rental housing funded by the California Department of Housing and Community Development. This provision remains in effect until March 6, 2026.
Lastly, the Order ensures that two commercial corridors in Altadena can be rebuilt by suspending laws that might otherwise limit the ability to maintain the same pedestrian character and ground floor commercial space that these areas enjoyed prior to the LA Fires.
Snell & Wilmer will continue to monitor Executive Order N-23-25 and will provide updates as new information becomes available.
About Snell & Wilmer
Founded in 1938, Snell & Wilmer is a full-service business law firm with more than 500 attorneys practicing in 17 locations throughout the United States and in Mexico, including Los Angeles, Orange County, Palo Alto and San Diego, California; Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona; Denver, Colorado; Washington, D.C.; Boise, Idaho; Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Portland, Oregon; Dallas, Texas; Salt Lake City, Utah; Seattle, Washington; and Los Cabos, Mexico. The firm represents clients ranging from large, publicly traded corporations to small businesses, individuals and entrepreneurs. For more information, visit swlaw.com.
