(a) It is the intent of the Legislature to encourage local governments to assist residents to repair and rebuild housing in a cost-efficient and expeditious manner following a disaster. To this end, the Legislature recognizes that local governments may enact ordinances following disasters to expedite the permit process. These ordinances may include, but not be limited to, ordinances waiving fees and streamlining requirements affecting disaster-related repairs.

(b) The Legislature finds and declares that homeowners and owners of rental housing who apply for assistance pursuant to Sections 50662.7, 50671.5, and 50671.6 may be unable to utilize expedited procedures or liberalized standards because loan approval and repair may occur after the expiration of the local ordinance. It is, therefore, the intent of the Legislature to encourage local governments to extend the application of these local ordinances to homeowners and owners of rental housing who are utilizing disaster assistance programs, including the respective loan programs authorized by Sections 50662.7, 50671.5, and 50671.6, so that housing can be repaired or rebuilt in a cost-efficient and expeditious manner.

(Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 538, Sec. 408. Effective January 1, 2007.)