LA County to Allow Home Self-Certification in Altadena

Los Angeles County wants to hasten the rebuilding of Altadena after this year’s devastating wildfires by allowing developers to self-certify home building plans.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted to approve a pilot program that allows licensed professionals to certify that home construction plans meet county building codes, bypassing a traditionally lengthy plan review, Pasadena Now reported.

The move is intended to fast-track reconstruction in fire-scarred neighborhoods in unincorporated communities such as Altadena, where the Eaton fire in January torched 9,000 structures, including 6,000 homes.

The Self-Certification Program was launched by Board Chair Kathryn Barger and Supervisor Lindsey Horvath.

“Our residents can’t afford to wait months or even years to begin rebuilding their homes,” Barger said in a statement. “This pilot program is about empowering qualified professionals, cutting red tape, and putting families on a faster track to recovery — without compromising safety.”

The program, which takes immediate effect, will be overseen by the county Department of Public Works, which will report back within 120 days on its performance and potential for permanent adoption.

In a further effort to reduce the financial burden of fire-affected homeowners, the board also directed the county CEO to report within 30 days on the feasibility of waiving permit fees, while leveraging cost-saving tools such as artificial intelligence-powered plan review systems now in use.

“As families face the daunting task of rebuilding, every dollar counts,” Barger added. “Waiving certain permit fees is a practical and compassionate step we can take to ease the financial burden on fire survivors.”

For Altadena residents still navigating the aftermath of the fire — many of whom are living in temporary housing — the county’s move offers a critical lifeline, according to Pasadena Now.

Local officials and community groups have welcomed the expedited timeline, emphasizing the need for both structural and emotional recovery in a town still reeling from the scale of the disaster.

Meanwhile, in February, the City Council voted to study how to roll out a self-certification program. And in her State of the City address last month, Mayor Karen Bass touted city will create a self-certification program for Palisades residents, who fall under the city’s governance, aimed at streamlining permits for rebuilding.

— Dana Bartholomew