As
of late January 2026, President Donald Trump has initiated a federal takeover
of the building permit process for homes destroyed in the January 2025 Los
Angeles wildfires, citing severe stagnation in local rebuilding efforts. The
administration is attempting to override state and local authority, with EPA
Administrator Lee Zeldin placed in charge of accelerating the issuance of
permits.
Key Aspects of the Federal Takeover
Executive Action: Following the 2025 Pacific Palisades and Eaton fires, which destroyed approximately 13,000–16,000 structures, Trump signed an executive order directing FEMA and the Small Business Administration (SBA) to bypass local permitting for projects using federal funds.
"Self-Certification": The order allows builders to "self-certify" compliance with safety codes, effectively removing city and county inspectors from the process.
Federal Speed vs. Local Stagnation: Trump has criticized California officials for the slow pace of rebuilding, noting that while federal agencies reduced hazardous waste removal and debris clearing times, only about 2,600 of 6,191 applications for rebuilds had been issued by local agencies one year later.
Legal & Political Conflict: This move represents an unprecedented federal intervention into local land-use authority, and California officials are expected to challenge the measures.
Context of Stagnation
Slow Rebuilding: One year after the 2025 fires, fewer than a dozen homes had actually been fully rebuilt in LA County, with most residents still awaiting approval.
"Nightmare"
Process: Trump termed the local rebuilding process a
"nightmare," aiming to expedite the release of federal relief
funds.
The intervention has been described as a "game-changer" by proponents, aimed at cutting through state-level red tape.
In
January 2026, President Trump signed an executive order to take over the
building permit process in
Los Angeles, aiming to bypass what he called a "nightmare" of state and local stagnation following the devastating 2025 wildfires.
Key Actions of the Takeover
Federal Preemption: The order directs FEMA and the Small Business Administration to draft rules that override local permit processes for properties receiving federal relief funds.
Self-Certification: A key provision allows builders to "self-certify" that they meet health and safety standards, effectively bypassing city and county inspectors entirely.
Leadership: Trump appointed EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin to lead the wildfire recovery and speed up federal approvals.
Context of "Stagnation"
Permit Backlog: As of January 2026, roughly 13,000 homes were destroyed, but local agencies had issued only about 2,600 permits, with thousands more stalled in review.
Slow Rebuild: Reports indicated fewer than a dozen homes had actually been rebuilt a year after the fires.
Federal vs. Local Speed: The Trump administration pointed to federal successes—like clearing debris in 8 months versus an estimated 18—as justification for seizing control.
Google
Connection
While the term "takeover" in your query primarily refers to the permit executive order, there are separate ongoing tensions involving Google and the administration, including legal cases regarding privacy and the impact of AI tools on various industries.
https://www.google.com/search?q=trump+takeover+of+la+building+permit+stagnation+google
Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader
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