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AB 1385

Unlawfully restrictive covenants: housing developments: Palisades Fire.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Cottie Petrie-Norris

AB 1385 removes restrictive deed covenants blocking reconstruction and property transfer in Palisades Fire-affected housing developments to accelerate community recovery.

In committee: Held under submission.
#palisadesfire #unlawfullyrestrictivecovenants #housingdevelopments
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · AB 1385

Legislative bill overview

AB 1385 addresses unlawfully restrictive covenants in housing developments, with specific provisions related to properties affected by the Palisades Fire. The bill aims to remove or modify deed restrictions that may unlawfully limit property use, development, or transfer rights in affected communities.

Why is this important

Restrictive covenants—historical deed restrictions on properties—can prevent rebuilding, development, or sale of land affected by disasters. After major fires like the Palisades Fire, such restrictions can impede recovery and reconstruction efforts, potentially leaving burned properties unable to be rebuilt or transferred. Removing these barriers could accelerate community recovery and housing reconstruction in fire-affected areas.

Potential points of contention

  • Property rights vs. community standards: Homeowners associations and neighboring property owners may argue that removing covenants undermines agreed-upon community standards and property value protections
  • Retroactive application concerns: Questions about whether the bill fairly applies to covenants established decades ago versus modern deed restrictions, and whether it applies uniformly across all properties or only fire-affected ones
  • Implementation scope and enforcement: Clarity needed on which covenants qualify as "unlawfully restrictive," how disputes are resolved, and who bears costs for processing removal or modification of thousands of historical documents

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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