Publication
LA Mayor Issues Emergency Executive Order to Help Palisades Residents Expedite Rebuilding of More Fire-Resistant Homes
Quick Take
Executive Order No. 5 provides a streamlined path for rebuilding homes and businesses in ways that better protect against wildfires and other climate-fueled disasters.
Key Provisions of Executive Order No. 5
On March 21, 2025, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued Executive Order No. 5 targeted at resilient rebuilding and preparedness. The Executive Order provides a streamlined path for rebuilding homes and businesses in ways that better protect against wildfires and other climate-fueled disasters and strengthens the resiliency of utilities and power reliability during severe weather events.
Within 30-90 days, various city departments, including the Department of Building and Safety, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), Department of City Planning, and Emergency Management Department, are required to provide recommendations, reports, evaluations, and develop plans to implement the Executive Order.
Resilient Rebuilding
The Executive Order promotes rebuilding of structures in a more resilient manner, including:
- Within 60 days, the Department of Building and Safety is to provide recommendations on a streamlined pathway for homeowners who choose to rebuild all-electric homes and, within 30 days, LADWP is to provide recommendations on customer incentive programs for such all-electric structures.
- Within 90 days, the Department of Building and Safety, the Department of City Planning, and other relevant city departments are to “provide recommendations to promote fire-resistant construction materials and assemblies, retention of stormwater on-site for dousing, landscape management, and timely adoption of ‘Zone 0’ regulations, pursuant to Governor Newsom’s Executive Order N-18-25, which will require an ember-resistant zone within 5 feet of structures located in the highest fire severity zones.”
- Within 90 days, LADWP, Board of Public Works, and the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) shall report on actions that can be taken to enhance the resiliency of utilities and other public right of way infrastructure.
- The Bureau of Engineering shall work with Recreation and Parks and the Los Angeles Public Library to ensure municipal facilities rebuilt in the Palisades incorporate climate and fire resilient features into their design.
Preparedness and Planning
The Executive Order also aims to further strengthen preparedness and planning for future wildfires and other climate-fueled disasters, including:
- Within 30 days, the Bureau of Engineering is to report on developing actions for strengthening hillside protections and controlling erosion to protect against floods and landslides.
- Within 30 days, the Mayor’s Office is to establish a committee to review and make recommendations on resilient rebuilding. Within 60 days, the Mayor’s Office shall work with the State of California Insurance Commissioner to explore insurance options and provide guidance to homeowners on insurance availability and pricing for wildfire-resilient homes.
- Within 60 days, the Emergency Management Department is to evaluate existing wildfire preparedness and warning systems, including recommendations on how to improve evacuation routes and procedures.
- Within 60 days, the LA Fire Department shall develop a plan to expand and promote the Community Emergency Response Team training program and conduct ongoing wildfire preparedness trainings.
- Within 90 days, the Department of City Planning, in coordination with relevant agencies, shall evaluate the City’s planning policies and assessments that address risk from wildfire and extreme weather events to ensure alignment. Such agencies shall also evaluate the benefits of developing a Community Wildfire Prevention Plan for the City of LA.
- Within 90 days, LADWP shall report on enhancing the resilience of the water supply and management for future wildfires.
Implications and Takeaways
Homeowners and businesses looking to rebuild structures after the fires should consider exploring features to better protect against wildfires and other climate-fueled disasters such as all-electric buildings. City departments are actively working to address the city’s preparedness and help ensure systems are in place to plan for future extreme weather events.
Snell & Wilmer will continue to monitor the implementation of Executive Order No. 5 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.
