Trump executive order aims to speed rebuilding in Los Angeles.

President Trump signed an executive order directing FEMA and the SBA to seek rules that could preempt local permitting and allow builders to self-certify as part of efforts to speed reconstruction after the January 2025 Los Angeles-area wildfires.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order intended to accelerate reconstruction of homes damaged or destroyed in the January 2025 Los Angeles-area wildfires. The order instructs federal agencies to pursue regulations that could override some state and local permitting requirements and to allow builders to self-certify compliance with health, safety and building standards. California officials have pushed for federal disaster aid and there is not yet approval of the state's request. Known details: - The order directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Small Business Administration to develop regulations that could preempt state and local permitting and permit builders to self-certify compliance. - The Palisades and Eaton fires were reported to have killed 31 people and destroyed about 13,000 residential properties. - California Gov. Gavin Newsom has urged approval of a $33.9 billion disaster aid request and said more than 1,600 rebuilding permits have been issued in Los Angeles; the federal aid request remains pending. Summary: The executive order is framed as a way to reduce permitting barriers and to expedite waivers, permits and approvals by federal agencies. It is not yet clear how much authority the federal government can exercise over state and local permitting, and agencies have been directed to draft the proposed regulations and processes.