YIMBY Law Sues Newsom and L.A.-Area Leaders Over SB 9 Suspensions in Wildfire Zones

Overview

• The pro-housing group filed the case after talks with the governor’s office fell through, targeting the July executive order and local bans tied to it.
• Plaintiffs seek an injunction to force agencies to resume processing SB 9 applications and a court declaration that the order is unlawful.
• Newsom’s directive let jurisdictions pause SB 9 in designated areas, and Mayor Karen Bass, Pasadena, Malibu and Los Angeles County quickly enacted restrictions.
• The complaint argues the move violates the Emergency Services Act and separation of powers and says suspensions hinder fire survivors who might use lot splits or duplexes to finance rebuilding.
• The governor’s office defended the policy as protecting survivors and local flexibility, while county records show planning officials halted SB 9 applications in certain zones without a board vote.