Late Monday, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued a presidential order The move is aimed at speeding up the rebuilding of homes and businesses after the wildfires that hit the Pacific Palisades.

Academics, builders, consultants and other analysts who reviewed the order at the request of The Times said Mr. Bass’ move was an important beginning to a process that will inevitably be complicated.

“It’s exactly the right direction,” said Stuart Gabriel, director of UCLA’s Ziman Real Estate Center. “This is exactly the type of measure we would expect the city to take.”

Here’s what the mayor wants to do and the potential pitfalls in the plan.

Let’s remove the debris

The order requires the city to immediately develop a debris removal plan to remove any necessary hazardous materials before reconstruction can occur. Dan Dunmoyer, president and CEO of the California Building Industry Association, said it’s important for cities to act quickly and comprehensively. He said the New Orleans site was littered with hazardous materials after Hurricane Katrina disrupted the city’s recovery efforts for years.

“If they put it together, that would actually be a big step,” Dunmoyer said. “Frameworks are for success.”

Issue permits within 30 days to those who want to rebuild their homes and businesses as before

The order directs all city departments to review building plans simultaneously and complete them within 30 days of submission. This includes the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, which has often been criticized for its slow time issuing permits. If permits are obtained, the city will allow construction to begin.

This expedited timeline applies unless the property owner expands the size of their home or business by more than 10%.

To meet this 30-day goal, the city has established a physical permitting center near the Palisades that will be staffed 24/7 by representatives from all applicable departments.

Meanwhile, you can live on your own land

Residents who are rebuilding can set up RVs, tiny homes or other temporary housing and remain on the land for up to three years.

Homes that are nearing completion will be processed as soon as possible

Across the city, 22 multifamily developments totaling 1,400 units are awaiting final approval from city inspectors before opening to residents. Mr. Basu’s order directs departments to issue temporary certificates of occupancy for these properties so that they can be brought into operation sooner. My hope is to help you meet Part of the surging demand Rented due to fire.

Joseph Cohen May, director of the Los Angeles Housing Production Institute, praised the changes as necessary, regardless of the emergency situation.

“For too long, we left completed buildings until they could be occupied,” said Cohen May, who analyzes L.A.’s housing policy.

what’s left

One of the biggest remaining questions is how the mayor will fund this effort. Some analysts blame the existing lengthy building permit process for staffing shortages.

Will the schedule get bogged down if thousands of property owners try to submit plans at the same time? If the mayor moves the reviewer to the Palisades, as seems likely, it will mean that other What does it mean to allow housing? Already facing a severe shortage of available housing?

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s plan to speed up the rebuild faces similar procedural and staffing issues. governor took administrative action themselves Sunday to waive some of the state’s environmental laws. Speed ​​up debris removal.

Dunmoyer said Bass’ order would formally bring the two sides together to rebuild faster than allowed.

“The governor will develop the macro framework, the mayor will implement it, and now it’s time to implement it,” he said.