Newsom issues executive order giving LA burn scar areas control over SB 9 housing

Governor Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order granting local governments in Los Angeles County the authority to limit Senate Bill 9 (SB 9) development in areas affected by recent destructive fires. The measure responds to concerns from elected officials and community members about rebuilding in high fire hazard severity zones, where increased development could crowd evacuation routes and complicate recovery.

The executive order allows local authorities to adjust rules for SB 9—legislation that permits lot splits and duplex construction in single-family residential zones—specifically within burn scar regions identified as very high fire hazard severity zones. Areas impacted include the entire Palisades within Los Angeles, as well as portions of Altadena, Sunset Mesa, and Malibu.

A seven-day pause on SB 9 development is included in the order to give local governments time to develop their own standards. Local officials are now able to add mitigation requirements or designate specific areas where SB 9 projects may or may not proceed, tailoring decisions based on each community’s needs and safety considerations.

“We will continue to assist communities in rebuilding safely in ways that are responsive to local concerns. This executive order responds directly to requests from local officials and community feedback, recognizing the need for local discretion in recovery and that not all laws are designed for rebuilding entire communities destroyed by fires overnight,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.

The executive order remains effective while the state of emergency is active. It leaves existing SB 9 provisions unchanged outside of designated high-risk burn scar zones but provides flexibility for leaders overseeing recovery efforts where fire risk remains a concern.

This latest directive builds upon previous actions taken by Governor Newsom aimed at accelerating recovery efforts following major wildfires. These have included suspending certain permitting laws and building codes, expediting home and school reconstruction, removing administrative barriers, extending deadlines for survivors, and providing regulatory relief intended to help affected residents access essential services more quickly.

In response to recent wildfires, California mobilized significant resources before the disasters peaked—including over 16,000 first responders at one point—and coordinated with federal agencies for disaster declarations and cleanup support. Hazardous waste was cleared from more than 9,000 homes within a month after the fires began—a pace surpassing past wildfire recoveries such as those following the Camp Fire (2018), Woolsey Fire (2018), Hill Fire (2018), and Tubbs Fire (2017).

Federal-state partnerships facilitated rapid debris removal with up to 500 crews working simultaneously during peak operations led by the Army Corps of Engineers. Recovery metrics show substantial progress: $2.5 billion approved through Small Business Administration assistance; $144 million distributed directly to individuals; more than 40,000 visits logged at disaster recovery centers; nearly all schools resuming classes; water systems restored; over 12,000 right-of-entry forms submitted; thousands of properties cleared of hazardous materials; and dedicated funding provided through programs like LA Rises.

The state maintains its commitment both to increasing housing supply statewide under SB 9 guidelines elsewhere—and ensuring that post-fire redevelopment considers unique safety risks faced by vulnerable communities.