Addressing State and Local Failures To Rebuild Los Angeles After Wildfire Disasters

2026-01-29Executive Order 14377
Signed by: Donald Trump
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Headline: Federal Government Preempts Local Permits to Rebuild Los Angeles

What it does: Agencies must issue rules and other actions to preempt obstructive local permits and speed federally funded rebuilding.

Real World Impact:
  • Eases permitting for homeowners rebuilding in wildfire-damaged neighborhoods.
  • May force state or local governments to change permit reviews.
  • Federal audit could recover misused hazard-mitigation grant funds.
Topics: disaster recovery, government oversight, permitting and construction, federal funding

Summary

This order directs the federal government to ensure federally funded rebuilding proceeds quickly and is not blocked by state or local permitting in Los Angeles neighborhoods. It instructs the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Small Business Administration to consider rules preempting obstructive local permits and allowing builders to self-certify compliance with safety standards.

It speeds federal waivers and reviews, requires agencies to appoint senior officials to avoid delays, orders audits of nearly $3 billion in mitigation funds, and asks for legislative proposals to address local obstruction. It helps homeowners and small businesses rebuild and use federal aid without delay.

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