Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Your game plan for what happens next. LAist will be there every step of the way.
LA mayor issues three executive actions on fire rebuilding. Here's what they mean for you
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass speaks about rebuilding and recovery efforts earlier this year.
(
Apu Gomes
/
Getty Images North America
)
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued a trio of executive actions this week intended to speed up the rebuilding process and ease some of the financial pressures Angelenos are facing after January’s wildfires.
Two orders focus on rebuilding fees and the permitting process. Another action explores using artificial intelligence to review project plans, potentially saving time for residents and city staff. The executive actions aim to assist city of L.A. residents with losses from the Palisades Fire — destruction from the Eaton Fire fell outside of L.A. city limits.
Bass said in a statement that these actions are cutting more red tape to get people back home as quickly and safely as possible.
“These initiatives will help reduce timelines and further streamline the rebuilding process to keep our recovery effort on track to be the fastest in modern California history,” she said.
Support for LAist comes from
Rebuilding fees
Friday’s executive order directs city departments to refrain from collecting some fees for residents repairing or rebuilding after the wildfires.
The permit and plan check fees are applied through a city ordinance, so the L.A. City Council will still need to adopt an amendment to waive them completely.
City departments will suspend fee collection in the meantime.
Permitting process
An executive order released Tuesday introduces a “self-certification” pilot program focused on rebuilding in the Palisades.
Support for LAist comes from
It allows a licensed architect to self-certify that construction plans are compliant with California code. That would get rid of the plan check process through the L.A. Department of Building and Safety.
However, projects that use the self-certified process will still have to pass inspection, code enforcement and regulatory requirements from other city departments.
And the order is limited to single-family homes up to three stories tall that are being repaired or replaced because of fire damage.
You can find the full requirement details here.
AI assistance
This directive asks city staff to look into using AI to help review rebuilding projects.
It orders the city's Department of Building and Safety to make recommendations on using the technology for pre-screening permit applications, verifying code compliance and reviewing architectural plans, among other tasks.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist