Politics & Government
Mayor Waives Coastal Rules, Launches Pre-Approved Home Designs For Palisades Rebuild
The city will now offer pre-approved building plans and waive some coastal review requirements for fire-damaged homes.
PACIFIC PALISADES, CA — Mayor Karen Bass issued two new executive orders Wednesday aimed at further streamlining the rebuilding process for single-family homes in Pacific Palisades.
The first order aligns with Gov. Gavin Newsom's recent mandate, which broadens the types of projects eligible for the state's emergency suspension of the California Environmental Quality Act and the California Coastal Act.
"While our recovery is on track to be the fastest in modern California history, I know that nothing will erase the unimaginable pain and loss that the Palisades community has endured," Bass said in a statement.
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"With debris removal months ahead of expectations, construction underway and new action taken today to further streamline the rebuilding process, we continue to push forward in our all out effort to get families home," she continued.
Previously, the city expedited certain permitting processes for "like- for-like" single-family home rebuilds. The new order extends similar streamlining benefits to families who wish to build homes that differ from their original structures.
Find out what's happening in Pacific Palisadesfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Bass' directive waives local Coastal Act review requirements for single-family home projects in the Coastal Zone, provided they comply with underlying zoning laws and maintain basic environmental protections.
The second executive order launches a pilot program for pre-approved standard plans for single-family homes. The program would offer a virtual library of pre-approved, code-compliant designs that homeowners can use to accelerate the permitting process.
City officials are expected to issue an open call to architects and building professionals to submit their designs for city pre-approval in the virtual library.
The mayor's office noted that more than 85% of residential properties in the city that were destroyed by the Palisades Fire have been cleared of debris. The homes have also received the final sign-off required for rebuilding.
Nearly 300 project plans have already been approved, and the first permit was issued just 57 days after the January wildfires — more than twice as fast as post-fire permits issued after the Camp and Woolsey fires in 2018, according to the mayor's office.
City News Service
