(The Center Square) – California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a bill designed to protect Altadena’s rebuilding process.
The Keep Altadena Land in Altadena Hands Act, or Senate Bill 1090, was authored by state Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez, D-Pasadena, to help the unincorporated community next to Pasadena to rebuild following the Eaton Fire.
The measure imposes a three-year pause on housing density laws such as SB 1123 within Altadena. Effective from Oct. 1, 2026, to Jan. 1, 2030, the moratorium blocks outside real estate investors and developers from taking advantage of the community’s vulnerable, rebuilding state, according to the bill.
While keeping outside multi-unit streamlining laws at bay, the measure still allows local residents and fire survivors to rebuild their properties, construct accessory dwelling units and split lots on their own terms.
The Eaton Fire devastated Altadena in January 2025, leaving many empty lots. Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents the area on the county’s governing board, noted speculators are using SB 1123 to build 10 homes on lots originally zoned for one residence.
As a result, Barger asked Pérez to carry the legislation Newsom signed.
“That gives Altadena really the breathing room to rebuild thoughtfully and intentionally,” Barger told The Center Square.
Barger added that one of her commitments is to work with fire survivors and bring Altadena back stronger, while also maintaining the character of Altadena.
The community is known for its neighborhoods of single-family homes and the towering deodar cedar trees on Santa Rosa Avenue, also known as Christmas Tree Lane.
Barger said SB 1123 would make it difficult to maintain Altadena’s charm because the expansive building is going to “completely change” the landscape.
“When you talk about entry-level, for-sale homes by subdividing those lots and building 10 homes, they’re going to make millions,” said Barger. “I’m not against the free market, but if the goal is affordable housing, that is not going to occur in Altadena.”
One Altadena resident called the multi-unit housing efforts “a gross misuse of the bills” being used for those projects.
“It is also very insensitive to the situation and the character and everyone trying to rebuild,” the resident, Brooke Lohman-Janz, told The Center Square.
SB 1123 does not apply in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Pacific Palisades, which is considered a high fire hazard severity zone. It was hit hard by Palisades Fire in 2025.
Altadena is not considered in that category, hence the legislation from Pérez.
“I’m grateful to the Governor for hearing Altadena’s residents and signing SB 1090,” said Pérez in a press release. “This legislation has truly been a community-driven effort that I have been honored to carry for Eaton Fire survivors.”
