Trump Administration Outlines Plan to Speed Up Rebuilding After LA Wildfires

EPA chief says federal government will allow homeowners to self-certify building plans if permits aren't approved within 60 days

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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The Trump administration has outlined a plan to override state and local rules and speed up the permitting process for the reconstruction of tens of thousands of homes destroyed by last year's wildfires in Los Angeles. The plan would allow federal loan recipients to 'self-certify' that they meet all state and local building requirements if their permits aren't approved within 60 days. State and local officials have questioned the legality of the federal government taking over the permitting process and say they have received little information about how the new process will work.

Why it matters

The wildfires in Los Angeles last year were some of the most destructive in the region's history, destroying about 13,000 residential properties. The slow pace of rebuilding has been a source of frustration for many homeowners, and the Trump administration's plan aims to cut through bureaucratic red tape and speed up the process. However, state and local officials have raised concerns about the legality and feasibility of the federal government overriding their permitting authority.

The details

Under the new federal rules, anyone approved for a Small Business Administration Disaster loan can self-certify that their building plan meets state and local rules if they don't get a permit within 60 days of applying. The order also directs federal agencies to expedite waivers, permits and approvals to work around any environmental, historic preservation or natural resource laws that might stand in the way of rebuilding. State and local officials say most permits are already being handled within a month, and they argue that a lack of money, not permitting issues, is what's keeping many from rebuilding.

  • Last week the president signed an executive order that the White House promised would allow homeowners to rebuild without contending with 'unnecessary, duplicative, or obstructive' requirements.
  • The Palisades and Eaton fires killed 31 people and destroyed about 13,000 residential properties in January 2025.

The players

Lee Zeldin

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator, whom Trump tapped to oversee the effort to speed up rebuilding.

Gavin Newsom

California Governor, who questioned the legality of the Trump administration's plan and said the president hasn't coordinated with anyone to implement it.

Kathryn Barger

Los Angeles County Supervisor, whose district was hit by the Eaton Fire. She pointed out that there are already local self-certification rules in place that help expedite reconstruction.

Karen Bass

Los Angeles Mayor, who called the executive order a political stunt and said rebuilding plans in Pacific Palisades are being approved in half the time compared to single-family home projects citywide before the wildfires.

Lindsey Horvath

Los Angeles County Supervisor, who represents the Palisades area and said the Trump administration's effort would not bring meaningful relief.

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What they’re saying

“Now (Trump) has signed an executive order that goes into effect, when? We don't know. Is it legal? Almost certainly not. He hasn't coordinated with anyone to tell them. It's just typical Trump.”

— Gavin Newsom, California Governor (taylorvilledailynews.com)

“There are a number of number of people waiting for their full insurance payment. They are desperate to receive every last penny that they need from their policy to be able to rebuild their lives.”

— Lee Zeldin, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator (taylorvilledailynews.com)

“The claim that the federal government can just come in and boot these local laws out of existence, that's not a thing.”

— Justin Levitt, Law professor at Loyola Law School (taylorvilledailynews.com)

What’s next

The Board of Supervisors passed a motion Tuesday directing county attorneys and planning officials to monitor the federal government's implementation of Trump's executive order and, if necessary, take legal action to defend local permitting authority.

The takeaway

The Trump administration's plan to speed up rebuilding after the devastating LA wildfires has raised concerns about the legality of the federal government overriding state and local permitting rules. While the goal of cutting through bureaucratic red tape is understandable, state and local officials argue that the current permitting process is already working efficiently and that the real obstacle to rebuilding is a lack of funding, not regulatory hurdles.