The recent wildfires in Los Angeles have been devastating, leaving a trail of destruction and displacing countless individuals and families and I’m sure we all know a few who were at least in danger, if not lost everything. Homes have been reduced to ash, lives have been upended, and the long road to recovery has only just begun.

In times like these, it’s easy to feel helpless, but we must remember the power of community and the importance of extending a helping hand. We are here to help our community through. If there is something we can do to help you with your business or anything else within our sphere of capability, we are ready and willing. Please reach out to us and let us know what we can do for you in these times.

Let’s all rally together with what we each can do to support our fellow Californians in their time of need. We can offer hope amidst the ashes and demonstrate the true spirit of compassion that defines us. We are here to serve the construction industry in good times and bad times. The construction community is made up of good-hearted, hard-working men and women and right now there are a lot of people in our community going through some tough times, if you are one of them and there is something we can do to help, again please reach out.

Our hearts and prayers are with everyone affected by this tragedy.

If you have been affected by the fires, here is a list of resources put together by the State of California: https://www.ca.gov/LAfires/

Eligible licensees can elect to postpone payment of 2025 license renewal fees to 2026

On January 29, 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-15-25, which postpones for one year the license renewal fees for Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA/Department) licenses that expire between January 1, 2025 and June 30, 2025, and whose residential or business address is within the impacted zip codes:

• 90041
• 90049
• 90265
• 90272
• 90290
• 90402
• 91001
• 91024
• 91103
• 91104
• 91107
• 91367
• 93536

Upon license renewal (either online or by paper, depending on the licensing entity), licensees eligible for the renewal fee postponement will renew with no payment due. This year’s renewal fees will automatically be postponed to 2026.

Please note, renewal fees are not waived. You will still be required to pay the fees, but they will not be collected until 2026.

Licensees with questions should contact their licensing Board or Bureau directly. For Board and Bureau contact information, visit the DCA Boards and Bureaus entities page.

The DCA Disaster Help Center is also available to help fire survivor licensees with other DCA-related questions. Please contact 1-800-799-8314 or email CAFires@dca.ca.gov.

Read the Governor’s Executive Order on business recovery from the LA Firestorms.

For more information and resources related to the Los Angeles-area fires, www.ca.gov/lafires.

Fee Postponement Questions and Answers

How does this impact me? If your license expires between January 1, 2025 and June 30, 2025 and your residential or business address zip code is within the identified impacted zip codes, payment of your renewal fees will be postponed for one year. The renewal fees are not waived. You will still be required to pay the fees, but they will not be collected until 2026. You will be able to renew your license without paying the fee, and the fee will be collected in one year.

Do I still need to renew my license if I am eligible to postpone payment of my renewal fees? Yes. You must still complete the license renewal process by the license expiration date. You will just not have to pay the renewal fee.

What does a fee postponement mean? It means if your license expires between January 1, 2025 through June 30, 2025, you would not have to pay 2025 renewal fees until 2026. The fees are not waived, and you will still be required to pay the fees in 2026.

Will I need to pay my renewal fees ever? Yes. Your renewal fee payment will be due in one year. For example, if your license expires on March 31, 2025, and you choose to postpone paying the license renewal fee for one year, you will be able to renew your license now without paying the fee, but you will be required to pay the fee one year later in March 2026.

How will the renewal system know I’m eligible to postpone payment of my renewal fees? The Department identified licenses expiring between January 1, 2025 through June 30, 2025 with an address on file within the identified zip codes. For these licenses, the renewal system will automatically reflect that $0 is owed at the time of renewal. You will be able to proceed with your renewal process without payment.

What if I believe I am eligible to postpone payment of my renewal fees, but the renewal system states that I am required to pay the fee now? If you believe you are eligible to postpone payment of your renewal fees because your residence or business address is within one of the identified zip codes, please contact the DCA board, bureau or commission that issued your license for assistance.

Who can I talk to if I still have questions? The DCA board, bureau, or commission that issued your license can assist you with any additional questions you may have.

The DCA Disaster Help Center is also available to help fire survivor licensees with other DCA-related questions. Please contact 1-800-799-8314 or email CAFires@dca.ca.gov.

Source: DCA Website

Sacramento, CA – The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) is pleased to announce that the2025 edition of the California Contractors License Law and Reference Book (Law Book) is now available. This essential resource is a must-have for contractors, industry professionals, and anyone seeking a comprehensive understanding of California’s construction laws and regulations.

The updated edition includes the latest changes to contractor laws, such as those effective January 1, 2025, and provides detailed information on licensing requirements, business practices, and consumer protections. The Law Book also includes helpful insights into how contractors can remain compliant and operate successfully in California’s regulated construction industry.

The 2025 print edition can be purchased online or by calling (877) 394-8826. The price is $58.00 plus tax, shipping, and handling. The Law Book can be viewed or downloaded as a PDF directly on the CSLB website for no cost.

Contractors are encouraged to take advantage of this updated resource to ensure they stay informed about the laws that impact their business.