LOS ANGELES – Fire victims could save up to $30,000 on rebuilding costs under new Los Angeles County plans to waive building requirements and expedite permitting processes for homes destroyed in the January wildfires.
Mayor Karen Bass and Gov. Gavin Newsom will announce additional recovery measures July 7 as nearly 80% of residential properties destroyed by the Palisades Fire have been cleared of debris, according to the mayor’s office.
More than 1 million tons of debris have been removed from fire-damaged areas, with hazardous materials clearing completed in 28 days.
The fires, which were fully contained on Jan. 31, destroyed thousands of homes across Pacific Palisades and Altadena, ranking among the most destructive in California history.
Los Angeles County leaders announced plans to save residents up to $30,000 in construction costs through waived building requirements and expedited permitting processes. The county also plans to accelerate property tax relief for fire-damaged properties, which can save homeowners $3,000 to $10,000 annually.
To date, more than 640 plan check applications for more than 400 unique addresses have been submitted to the L.A. Department of Building and Safety, according to city data. More than 200 plans have been approved and more than 160 permits have been issued.
The city issued its first rebuilding permit 57 days after the wildfires began, faster than permits issued after the Camp and Woolsey fires.
Bass issued multiple executive orders to streamline rebuilding, including establishing a One-Stop Rebuilding Center and waiving environmental review processes for reconstruction projects. The city also launched a pilot program allowing licensed architects to verify code compliance without full plan checks.
In just two months, water and power were safely restored for standing homes in the Palisades, according to city officials. By comparison, safe drinking water wasn’t restored until 18 months after the Camp Fire in Paradise.
Community facilities are being rebuilt through public-private partnerships. The Palisades Recreation Center, which was partially destroyed, will be redesigned and rebuilt with private funding. The Pacific Palisades Playground is scheduled to reopen later this month.
Three schools partially destroyed by the fires—Palisades Charter High School, Palisades Charter Elementary and Marquez Charter Elementary—have had debris cleared by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Los Angeles County plans to underground more than 150 miles of power lines and telecommunications equipment to reduce future fire risk. The county has already provided property tax relief by reassessing 17,100 parcels, roughly 75% of those impacted by the fires.
Monday’s press conference is open to credentialed media only, with location details provided upon confirmation.
