Publication
Governor Newsom’s Parade of Executive Orders Continue To Cut Red Tape for Los Angeles’ Rebuild
Quick Take
Executive Order N-20-25 aims to cut more red tape and continue streamlining rebuilding, recovery, and relief for survivors of the Palisades and Eaton wildfires.
Key Provisions of Executive Order N-20-25
Executive Order N-20-25 (the Order), issued by Governor Gavin Newsom on February 13, 2025, expands on previous executive orders to suspend California Coastal Act (the Coastal Act) and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) permitting requirements and expands the availability of temporary housing, providing clarity for local governments on the scope of flexibility they have under the Coastal Act and CEQA.
Specifically, the Order:
- Updates the Governor’s previous executive orders waiving permitting requirements under the Coastal Act and CEQA by clarifying the scope of the waivers and that local planning or permit approval is determinative of eligibility for these suspensions.
- Helps accelerate rebuilds of recently constructed homes by allowing them to be rebuilt to previously approved specifications.
- Helps speed access to original plans held by local planning and building departments by waiving the requirement that the local building department seek the consent of the professional who signed the original plans.
- Extends deadlines for construction permits generally to three (3) years for properties or facilities that were substantially damaged or destroyed in the fires.
- Extends deadlines for local jurisdictions to update their zoning ordinances to implement housing elements such as minimum density and development standards, enabling local government staff to focus fully on issuing permits for rebuilding efforts.
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