Friday, 3 July 2026, 9:40
The bill has been formally named the "Keep Altadena Land in Altadena Hands Act." It passed the Assembly Housing Committee by an 11-1 vote and the Assembly Local Government Committee by a 10-0 vote, securing bipartisan support. The legislation mirrors a similar moratorium already protecting survivors of the Palisades Fire through a Governor's executive order, but that order only applies to High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, which exclude large portions of Altadena.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger is sponsoring the bill and testified in its support.
More than a year after the Eaton Fire destroyed much of Altadena, residents are rallying behind a state bill that would temporarily exempt their community from California's marquee housing laws. Senate Bill 1090, introduced by Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Alhambra), aims to prevent speculative developers from buying up burned lots and building high-density housing—preserving the single-family-home character that defined the unincorporated Los Angeles County town.
The bill would exempt Altadena's single zip code from two laws—SB 9 and SB 1123—through 2030. These laws were designed to ease California's housing crisis by allowing lot splits and duplexes on single-family parcels. Supporters say they were never intended for a disaster zone where two-thirds of homes were destroyed. “Altadena shouldn’t be a playground for people who want a return on investment,” said Assemblymember John Harabedian (D-Pasadena), a co-author of the bill.
The bill has galvanized the community like nothing else since the fire. Over 450 people attended a June 16 Town Council meeting, and hundreds more joined subsequent emergency meetings and a news conference in west Altadena. “This is the first time pre- or post-fire that we have been able to unite and find enough common ground to stand together,” said Shawna Dawson Beer, leader of Beautiful Altadena. The bill passed the Assembly Housing Committee on a unanimous 10-0 vote, with committee members noting the flood of calls from residents.
While the bill is popular, it has drawn criticism from some pro-housing advocates and even some fire survivors. Andrew Post, whose retired parents lost their home on North Marengo Avenue, worries the exemption could prevent his family from rebuilding. They had filed paperwork to split their lot under SB 9, hoping to sell a portion to a developer to close a $550,000 gap between insurance payouts and rebuilding costs. “I believe what it actually does is prevent Altadenans from housing themselves—and also Altadenans from helping to house each other,” said Caroline Paules, a town resident and small home construction founder.
Altadena is an unincorporated community in Los Angeles County, with a history of diverse, multigenerational families living in single-family homes. Before the fire, 95% of homes in affected areas were single-family. The narrow streets lack sidewalks and parking, making high-density development a practical concern. The bill's supporters argue that temporary relief is necessary because the state housing laws were “never meant to apply to towns that were two-thirds destroyed.”
SB 1090 now heads to the Assembly floor and, if passed, to the Senate. As Altadena rebuilds, the bill represents a critical test of whether California can balance its housing goals with the needs of disaster-stricken communities. For residents, the fight is about more than lots and laws—it's about keeping Altadena “Altadena.” To stay informed, follow the bill's progress at the California Legislature website.
