Gavin Newsom Vows to Cut His State’s Infamous ‘Bureaucratic Red Tape’ to Help Fire Victims ‘Rebuild Quickly’
Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order Sunday allowing those who lost everything in this past week’s wildfires to navigate the state’s infamous bureaucratic nightmare and “rebuild quickly.”
Some analysts told CNN last week that some properties might not be rebuilt for years, citing permits, environmental landmines, and other government roadblocks.
Malibu City Councilmember Haylynn Conrad told Fox News on Friday that “too much bureaucracy” had prevented people in her community from simply getting to “safety.”
With thousands of homes lost to fires and fears about rebuilding mounting, Newsom pledged Sunday to cut the “red tape,” which he said would hinder efforts to “quickly rebuild.”
“NEW: Just issued an Executive Order that will allow victims of the SoCal fires to not get caught up in bureaucratic red tape and quickly rebuild their homes,” the governor posted on X. “We are also extending key price gouging protections to help make rebuilding more affordable.”
Newsom’s office said his executive order will “suspend permitting and review requirements under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the California Coastal Act to allow victims of the recent fires to restore their homes and businesses faster.”
The order added Newsom would:
Suspend CEQA review and California Coastal Act permitting for reconstruction of properties substantially damaged or destroyed in recent Southern California wildfires.
Direct state agencies to identify additional permitting requirements, including provisions of the Building Code, that can safely be suspended or streamlined to accelerate rebuilding and make it more affordable.
Extend protections against price gouging on building materials, storage services, construction, and other essential goods and services to January 7, 2026, in Los Angeles County.
Commit to working with the Legislature to identify statutory changes that can help expedite rebuilding while enhancing wildfire resilience and safety.
In a statement, the governor said those affected by the fires faced too many “roadblocks” to recover.
“When the fires are extinguished, victims who have lost their homes and businesses must be able to rebuild quickly and without roadblocks,” he said. “The executive order I signed today will help cut permitting delays, an important first step in allowing our communities to recover faster and stronger. I’ve also ordered our state agencies to identify additional ways to streamline the rebuilding and recovery process.”
