Rebuilding After the Fires
Mayor Bass’s Executive Order to Help Property Owners Recover Faster
If you or someone you know has been impacted by the recent California wildfires, you’re not alone—and the City of Los Angeles is stepping up to help.
Mayor Karen Bass has just announced a new executive order that aims to make rebuilding your home or business quicker and easier. Here’s a quick breakdown of what it means for you.
What's the Big News?
The city is clearing the usual red tape to help property owners recover faster.
Whether you’re rebuilding a home, restoring a business, or helping a loved one get back on their feet, this plan is designed to speed up the process — so you can focus on healing and rebuilding, not endless paperwork
How the City Is Making It Easier?
A One-Stop Permit Center
The city will soon launch a centralized Permit Center dedicated to fire rebuilds.
You’ll find experts from Building & Safety, Planning, DWP, FEMA, the SBA, and more — all working together, seven days a week, to guide you through the process. (Exact location to be announced.)
Faster Approvals and Inspections
- Permit reviews completed within 30 days
- Applications reviewed simultaneously instead of sequentially
- Inspections completed within 2 business days
- Utility clearances and certificates issued within 5 business days
Waiving Some Rules to Save Time
- No Demolition Permits required (just notify the city first)
- All-Electric Waiver: You’re not required to rebuild with all-electric systems unless you want to
- Skipping Discretionary Reviews: Coastal permits, specific plans, and haul route hearings will be waived
Temporary Living and Storage Options
Need a place to stay while you rebuild?
You’ll be allowed to park an RV or install a temporary storage shed on your property for up to three years.
Who's Eligibe?
If you’re rebuilding something similar to what was there before, you’re likely eligible.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Size and Location: New structure can’t exceed 110% of the original size and must stay roughly in the same footprint.
- Same Use: Residential stays residential, commercial stays commercial.
- Non-Conforming Properties: Even if your property didn’t meet all zoning rules before, you can still rebuild — as long as you don’t exceed the 110% size limit.
Important:
If you want to make big changes (adding units, switching to a new use), you’ll need to go through the regular permitting process.
Debris Cleanup and Safety
The city is launching a debris removal plan to safely clear hazardous materials, protecting your health and the environment.
This step will help make sure your property is safe and ready for rebuilding.
Rebuilding Timeline
You’ll have 7 years to secure all necessary permits.
Once you have your permits, you’ll have 3 years to complete construction.
Extra Housing Relief
Mayor Bass’s executive order also accelerates approval for 1,400 housing units already in the pipeline — helping ease Los Angeles’s ongoing housing shortage.
Discover more here
Moving Forward: Let’s Rebuild Together
This new executive order is a powerful step toward helping Californians recover from wildfire devastation.
If you or someone you know needs to rebuild, know that help is here — and rebuilding is now faster, easier, and more accessible.
If you have any questions about your property, rebuilding after a fire, or buying a home in California, contact us.
We’re here to assist you every step of the way.
Please share this information with your family, friends, or neighbors who may need it.