After wildfires, counties could have to take forms online

For Californians trying to rebuild after a wildfire, SB 904 is about speed and access, not legal theory. In California, Sen. Kelly Seyarto's bill would require state agencies and local governments involved in debris removal, reconstruction, housing and land-use permitting to accept electronic filings once the Governor declares a wildfire emergency.

Starting Jan. 1, 2028, that would include digital signatures, web portals and email submissions in standard formats, so recovery paperwork would not depend on a counter window or a stack of paper forms.

Paper out, pixels in

The bill would cover the kind of documents that can slow a comeback when a home has burned and every step matters, from plan sets to appeals and requests. Instead of making residents and contractors work around an in-person system, SB 904 would let recovery filings move online as a default.

That matters because the bill is aimed at the entire rebuild chain, not just one agency. If debris removal, housing approvals and land-use permits can all be filed electronically, the recovery process is less likely to stall on logistics before it gets to the real work.

The bottlenecks it targets

SB 904 would also direct the Department of Housing and Community Development to work with other state entities and local governments to identify permitting rules, building-code provisions and local procedures that may be slowing recovery. Within 30 days of the emergency determination, the department would have to report to the Governor and lawmakers on state permitting requirements that could be suspended. Within 60 days, it would have to recommend changes to the California Building Standards Code and local processes aimed at getting needed permits and approvals within 30 days of submission.

Agencies could still require paper or in-person filing, but only if they make a written finding that electronic submission is not technically feasible for that application type and post that finding within 48 hours. Small counties and cities below the bill’s population thresholds would be exempt. Recorded votes show the bill cleared a floor vote.