Governor Issues an Executive Order Re: SB 9

Governor Gavin Newsom

Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order that will give local government the discretion to limit SB 9 development in very high fire hazard severity zones within the rebuilding areas, including the Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, Lidia, Woodley and Hughes Fires.

SB 9, a bill signed into law by Newsom in 2021, would allow single family lots to house duplexes and to split lots. In his July 30 executive order, he writes the law “was not tailored for circumstances like the present situation in Los Angeles, where more than 13,000 homes were destroyed, including more than 5,000 single-family homes in the Palisades Fire that fall into a designated very high fire hazard severity zone.”

His order affects the entire Palisades within the city of LA, the eastern foothills portions of Altadena, Sunset Mesa and Malibu.

His order includes a seven-day pause on SB 9 development in these specific areas while locals develop their own standards click here.

This afternoon, July 30, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass signed Emergency Executive Order No. 9 “Return and Rebuild” click here.

The order stated that effective immediately:

1. The City of Los Angeles will not accept or process applications under Government Code Sections 65852.21 and 66411.7 for any project within a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone within the boundaries of the Palisades Fire area.
2. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Paragraph 1., nothing in this order is intended to affect a complete plan check application that is vested pursuant to LAMC CH 1A Section 13B.10.1.B.2(a) that was accepted prior to the issuance of the Governor’s Executive Order N-32-25.

Yesterday, July 29, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass and Councilmember Traci Park both sent communications to Newsom urging him to intercede.

Working with the two, he issued this statement, “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.”

Newsom’s order was considered a win by residents. More than 21,000 people had sent a letter opposing SB 9 via Action Network, which was sponsored by the Pacific Palisades Residents Association.

Four California cities, Redondo Beach, Carson, Torrance and Whittier challenged SB 9 in a lawsuit filed on March 29, 2022. The City of Del Mar joined the lawsuit on February 7, 2023. The cities claimed the law violated their state constitutional authority.

In June 2024, the judge ruled in favor of the cities. Immediately after the ruling, Attorney General Rob Bonta filed an appeal. click here.