Mayor Karen Bass signed an executive order Monday aimed at streamlining city approval processes to expedite housing and business development.
During a news conference outside the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Bass outlined the next phase of her housing strategy, noting her plans were informed by the fire recovery effort in Pacific Palisades. Bass said initiatives piloted in the coastal neighborhood will be expanded citywide.
Bass’ executive order includes:
— launching the first citywide single-family home standard plan program with an easy-to-use portal with pre-approved buildings plans;
— directing the DWP to remove bottlenecks in connecting power to new buildings and to create a user-friendly tracking portal;
— expanding the use of artificial intelligence tools;
— connecting all city departments involved in development to a single digital system so permit approvals can be reviewed at the same time instead of one after another; and
— expanding online self-certification permitting for certain commercial renovation projects.
Bass said she inherited one of the worst housing shortages in the country and a city where more than half of renters struggle to pay their rent and bills.
“I’ve also heard from too many Angelenos about how hard the city can make it to open a business. We’ve made real progress in delivering relief, and today represents a leap forward,” Bass said. “We’re not going to fix this by doing things the old way. It takes real, structural change in how housing and businesses are approved and built across Los Angeles — and that’s exactly what these reforms deliver.”
Steven Somers, CEO of Crest Real Estate, joined Bass for the announcement. The firm worked alongside the mayor’s office helping families in Pacific Palisades rebuild their homes.
“Fifteen months ago, the Palisades and Eaton Fire devastated our communities, leaving thousands of families without homes,” Somers said. “In the aftermath, the question was how quickly we could help them return.
“We’ve since worked closely with Mayor Bass and her staff to craft emergency orders that cut red tape so Angelenos can rebuild without fighting City Hall,” Somers added.