Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has issued an executive order to streamline processes for rebuilding homes and clearing debris in the wake of devastating wildfires, following up on a similar order signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Bass signed the order late Monday night to help residents in Pacific Palisades and other city areas rebuild homes lost in the ongoing fires and lay the foundations for businesses to recover as well, according to her office.
The mayor also updated the local emergency declaration for similar purposes. The order comes as dangerous wind conditions continue to threaten the city.
“This unprecedented natural disaster warrants an unprecedented response that will expedite the rebuilding of homes, businesses and communities,” Bass said in a statement. “This order is the first step in clearing away red tape and bureaucracy to organize around urgency, common sense and compassion. We will do everything we can to get Angelenos back home.”
Under the executive order, the city will:
— Form task forces to develop a program for coordinated debris removal and mitigate risks from rain storms in partnership with the California Office of Emergency Services and other county, state and federal agencies
— Establish a one-stop-shop to streamline the issuance of permits in all impacted areas, direct city departments to expedite all building permit review/inspections, bypasses state California Environmental Quality Act discretionary review, allow rebuilding “like for like” and waive other discretionary review processes
— Direct the Department of Building and Safety to expedite approvals known as temporary certificates of occupancy for 1,400 units of housing currently in the pipeline across the city
— Require all city departments to produce in one week a list of additional relief needed from state and federal regulations and requirements, as well as state and federal funding needed for recovery
As of Tuesday morning, the nearly 24,000-acre Palisades Fire was 17% contained.
In the city’s jurisdiction last week, firefighters also responded to the Hurst fire in Sylmar, Sunset fire in the Hollywood Hills, Sunswept fire in Studio City, Archer fire in Granada Hills, Woodley fire in the Sepulveda Basin and the Kenneth fire in West Hills.
On Sunday, Newsom signed an executive order to suspend permitting and review requirements under the California Environmental Quality Act and the California Coastal Act to allow victims of the recent fires to restore their homes and businesses faster.