Rebuild California Executive Order N-4-25

Governor California Emergency Order for Rapid Rebuilding

On January 12, 2025, the California Governor issued Executive Order N-4-25, aimed at accelerating the rebuilding process for homes and businesses devastated by recent wildfires in Southern California. This order temporarily suspends permitting requirements under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the California Coastal Act, allowing for faster recovery efforts in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties.

By waiving certain regulatory statutes during this state of emergency, the executive order removes key barriers to reconstruction, providing relief to affected communities and enabling a swift, cost-effective rebuilding process.

Key Provisions of Executive Order N-4-25

1. Suspension of Environmental and Coastal Regulations

  • CEQA and California Coastal Act requirements are waived for reconstruction projects that involve repairing, restoring, demolishing, or replacing buildings damaged or destroyed by the fires.

  • The exemption applies to structures being rebuilt on the same site, provided they do not exceed 110% of their original footprint and height.

2. Protections Against Price Gouging

  • To prevent exploitation during reconstruction, the order extends anti-price gouging protections on:

    • Building materials

    • Housing and storage services

    • Emergency supplies

    • Construction labor and services

  • These protections remain in effect for Los Angeles and Ventura Counties until January 7, 2026.

3. Encouraging Resilient, Fire-Safe Rebuilding

  • The executive order emphasizes rebuilding with wildfire resilience in mind, encouraging:

    • Fire-resistant materials

    • Stronger home hardening measures fire, fire damage, domestic heating, catastrophe, homeless, devastation, destroyed, damage, burned down, burned, fire damage, fire damage, fire damage, fire damage, catastrophe, catastrophe, catastrophe, catastrophe, catastrophe, homeless, homeless, homeless, devastation, devastation, devastation, devastation, damage, damage, burned

    • Defensible space practices to reduce future wildfire risk

4. Streamlining Permitting Processes

  • The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) is tasked with:

    • Coordinating with local governments to expedite permit approvals and inspections

    • Providing technical guidance to ensure compliance with safety and rebuilding standards

    • Developing recommendations for sustainable, fire-resistant construction materials

5. Statewide Efforts to Remove Permitting Barriers

  • HCD, in partnership with the Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation, the Office of Emergency Services, and the Department of General Services (DGS), must:

    • Identify and report additional state-level permitting barriers that could slow down recovery efforts.

    • Update the report every 60 days as rebuilding progresses.

  • Within 60 days, HCD will review California’s Building Standards Code (Title 24) to recommend suspensions or modifications that will facilitate faster, safer, and cost-effective reconstruction.

AIA California’s Support for Rebuilding Efforts

Architects and design professionals are stepping up to assist communities affected by the wildfires. AIA California has launched a coordinated effort to provide:

  1. Direct financial assistance for impacted residents.

  2. Temporary office space for displaced architects and professionals. couple, move, key, apartment, owner, home ownership, house, rent, house rental, buy, house key, hold, show, home key, heterosexual couple, embrace, customer, new, relocation, move in, investment, housing project, change, sale, sell

  3. Pro bono architectural services for rebuilding projects.

  4. Advocacy to streamline permitting and construction in fire-damaged regions.

If you’re an architect or an AIA member looking to contribute, contact AIA California to join the Rebuild California initiative.

Order Your Title 24 Report Today

Compliance with Title 24 energy standards remains a critical step in rebuilding. Our team provides expert consultations and CEC Title 24 Reports to ensure your project meets California’s energy efficiency regulations.

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