Malibu and Pasadena settle YIMBY lawsuit, reopen SB 9 housing in fire‑scarred zones

Homeowners in Malibu and Pasadena will be able to build up to four units on single‑family lots after the two cities settled a lawsuit brought by pro‑development nonprofit YIMBY Law. The settlements repeal local anti‑duplex ordinances and accept all pending and future applications under California’s Senate Bill 9, a law enacted in 2022 to permit modest multiplexes in single‑family neighborhoods. The agreements follow executive orders signed by Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass that allowed the law’s application in areas deemed “very high” wildfire severity zones after the 2026 Eaton and Palisades fires.

Separately, the Pasadena Unified School District is carrying out soil remediation at several campuses affected by the Eaton fire, removing contaminated soil and non‑protected trees under oversight of the California Department of Toxic Substances Control. The city has disputed the district’s handling of tree removal permits, issuing stop‑work orders and seeking accountability for any protected trees removed without authorization.