Essential permitting information for LA homeowners recovering from wildfires

Rebuilding after the devastation of wildfires is a daunting process for many LA homeowners. Before construction can begin, there are multiple essential stages homeowners must go through, from securing the necessary permits to ensuring their plans meet safety and zoning requirements. In this guide, we'll share key information about the permitting process to get your rebuild underway.

Local authorities may offer expedited permitting processes to facilitate rebuilding. However, even with these measures in place, the rebuild process is likely to take many months. Before most home construction can begin, several critical steps must be completed:

• Rebuilding the infrastructure—electricity, gas, water—in impacted neighborhoods, much of which is needed for construction. Note: neighborhoods with underground infrastructure may have less of a wait.
• Completing insurance assessments
• Collecting rubble and removing toxic waste
• Treating soil in coastal areas

Below is information we’ve gathered on current permitting processes. However, since these processes are subject to updates, be sure to check with your city for the most accurate and up-to-date details.

Los Angeles City (including Pacific Palisades)

Los Angeles City (including Pacific Palisades but excluding Altadena) has provided the following information on expedited permitting processes for eligible homeowners:

• City agencies must process necessary clearances and releases for building permit applications and certificates of occupancy within 5 business days.
• Coastal commission rules and environmental regulations will not apply to rebuilding efforts.
• Permit reviews will be completed within 30 days.
• Inspections will be conducted within 2 days.

Homeowners must meet the following requirements to be eligible for expedited processing:

• The new building must be used for the same purpose as the original structure (e.g., if the original was a single-family home, the new structure must also be a single-family home).
• The new building must not exceed 110% of the square footage or floor area of the original structure (e.g., if your home was 2,000 square feet, the new structure cannot exceed 2,200 square feet).
• The new building must be of the same height as the original structure (e.g., if the prior structure was 18 feet tall, the new structure cannot exceed 18 feet).
• The new building must be of the same size as the original structure (e.g., it must fit within the same boundary as the previous building’s footprint).

Los Angeles County (including Altadena)

Altadena City Council has shared the following information:

• Property Cleanup: LA County will offer a program to clean properties, making them ready for rebuilding. Steps include assessing for toxic waste, removing it, certifying the lot as clear, and coordinating right-of-entry access with homeowners. Homeowners can access the program (free for homeowners who use the county’s services) through recovery.lacounty.gov. Alternatively, homeowners can hire their own approved cleanup crew if preferred.
• Rebuilding Support: The county will establish a one-stop permitting center in Altadena (location TBD), though the County Commissioner has yet to announce specific permitting streamlining measures. State-level orders for streamlining disaster recovery processes will apply.

Note: The Department of Building and Safety will be available daily from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Pasadena City College Community Education Center.

Details about damaged homes can also be found on the county’s disaster recovery site: recovery.lacounty.gov/eaton-fire/.

Disclaimer:
The information and resource links provided on this website are intended for general informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. While efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the information, it is not guaranteed to be complete, up-to-date, or applicable to your specific situation. This website is not operated by a licensed attorney, and the information provided should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional legal advice.