California’s government rarely is on the cusp of useful reform, but at least it sometimes does learn some lessons after crisis strikes. Along those lines, a news summary from CalMatters offers some of the most encouraging news we’ve seen in a while: “The recent spate of L.A. fires has led many different parties to re-examine state and local approaches to building approval.” The re-examination is long overdue.
The state’s building-approval process has for decades been mired in red tape, ranging from state laws such as the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the Coastal Act to local regulations that submit most new building approvals to a rigorous process involving planning commissions and city councils. The state has in recent years created a process of “by right” approvals, but only for specific, high-density housing projects.
Some encouraging news came last month when Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order suspending CEQA and Coastal Act reviews for Los Angeles-area wildfire victims. But executive orders are not laws — and the entire state needs building reform. One of the most promising ideas comes from Los Angeles City Hall, where the City Council voted to consider a self-certification program to jump-start the rebuilding process.
“Rather than require architects and engineers working on small residential construction projects to submit their plans to the city’s building department and wait — often months, if not years — for the green light, self-certification would allow them to sign off on their own handiwork and start construction immediately,” per the article. City officials could still inspect the project as it gets going.
Private-certification programs are not uncommon. “The Self-Certification Program eliminates plan review by allowing a registered professional to take responsibility for and certify a project’s compliance with building code, standards and ordinances,” explains San Diego County, although its program is limited. Architects and engineers place their license on the line, which is a safer way to proceed than waiting for a government inspector with a clipboard. The state needs more innovative ideas that streamline the bureaucracy. It shouldn’t take yet another disaster to try them.
