L.A. Area Chamber Commends Mayor Bass for Bold Action to Accelerate Wildfire Recovery and Rebuilding Efforts

by L.A. Area Chamber

LOS ANGELES, CA - January 14, 2025 - The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce commends Mayor Karen Bass for issuing a sweeping executive order to expedite the rebuilding of homes lost in the ongoing wildfires and to support businesses in planning their recovery. Mayor Bass also updated the local emergency declaration to address the devastation and accelerate the city's recovery efforts.

"As we navigate this unprecedented natural disaster, Mayor Bass is charting a bold path for recovery," said Chamber President & CEO Maria S. Salinas. "This executive order underscores her determination to remove barriers that could delay rebuilding, her compassion for helping Angelenos restore their lives, and her understanding of the challenges Los Angeles faces in the road ahead."

Key provisions of Emergency Executive Order No. 1 Return and Rebuild include:

• Coordinating debris removal and mitigating weather risks: Establishes task forces to streamline debris removal programs and mitigate risks from rainstorms, working with the California Office of Emergency Services and other agencies at the local, state, and federal levels.
• Clearing the way to rebuild homes : Creates a one-stop-shop for expedited permitting in impacted areas, directs city departments to prioritize building permit reviews and inspections, bypasses state CEQA discretionary review, and allows "like-for-like" rebuilding without city discretionary review.
• Expediting the availability of 1,400 housing units : Instructs the Department of Building and Safety to fast-track approvals, including temporary certificates of occupancy, for 1,400 housing units currently in the development pipeline.
• Securing additional regulatory relief and resources : Directs all city departments to report within a week on additional relief needed from state and federal regulations, as well as funding required for recovery.

The Chamber remains committed to working with the City of Los Angeles to ensure swift and effective recovery efforts for residents and businesses impacted by the wildfires.

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About Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce

The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce represents the interests of a broad spectrum of organizations across the private, non-profit, academic, and public sectors, including the business community, job creators, and innovators in the Los Angeles region. Our mission is to design and advance opportunities and solutions for a thriving regional economy that is inclusive and globally competitive. As the oldest and largest business association in the region, the Chamber has a long-standing history of convening business leaders, communities, and policy makers to promote a vibrant economy. For more information visit www.lachamber.com.