Santa Monica Mountains Coastal Zone - Disaster Recovery Ordinance

The Santa Monica Mountains Coastal Zone Disaster Recovery Ordinance is a regulatory initiative led by the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning to amend the Local Implementation Program within Title 22 of the Los Angeles County Code. The primary objective is to facilitate disaster recovery in the Santa Monica Mountains Coastal Zone following a state of emergency declared on January 7, 2025. This ordinance establishes critical provisions for the reconstruction of homes, associated utilities, and access for properties that suffered irreparable damage from disasters such as wildfires, while also providing for temporary housing solutions. The project is classified as a forecast and is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under CEQA Guidelines Sections 15265 and 15269, as well as Public Resources Code Section 21080(b)(3), due to its nature as an emergency recovery action. Responsibility for CEQA compliance shifts to the California Coastal Commission, ensuring that rebuilding efforts remain consistent with the California Coastal Act and regional land use plans without altering the General Plan or Community Plans. Administrative oversight is managed by Senior Planner Cameron Robertson, and the project focuses on the expedited restoration of infrastructure and residential properties within unincorporated Los Angeles County.