Los Angeles County Reveals Fire Rebuilding Blueprint

Los Angeles County has unveiled its plan to help rebuild unincorporated areas torched by wildfires early this year.

The new L.A. County Forward: Blueprint for Rebuilding plan details how officials and residents can rebuild in a low-cost, streamlined approach to recovery efforts, L.A. Business First reported. The outline is designed for the county to create an “equitable reconstruction” process and better support rebuilding residents in unincorporated areas as their properties emerge from the ashes.

As part of the city of Los Angeles, the Pacific Palisades has relied on the city for permits and other hurdles to rebuilding. But residents of unincorporated areas affected by the fires, such as Altadena in the Eaton burn zone and Sunset Mesa between the Palisades and Malibu, have to go through the county instead.

The plan emphasizes six priorities for the county that officials believe are paramount to rebuilding. They include streamlining permitting resources, reducing building costs, restoring critical infrastructure, mobilizing a stronger workforce, expanding the pool of builders and bringing back public assets and services.

The county is looking to support a “feasible financial path” forward through unlocking financial support for families and businesses and lowering upfront construction costs by directing homeowners to affordable rebuilding plans and contractors. Additionally, homeowners will receive more than $50 million in direct relief funding.

L.A. County also intends to waive certain non-life-threatening requirements, such as temporary pauses on new rules for rooftop solar and other efficiency standards that will help simplify rebuilding. The local government is also expediting reviews for like-for-like rebuilds and will allow self-inspections for licensed architects and engineers, open one-stop permitting centers and provide new technological tools to streamline approvals.

“As we turn the page from recovery to rebuilding, we’re doing it with a clear plan, strong partnerships, and the urgency this moment demands,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said of the findings. “This report creates a step-by-step guide to accelerate rebuilding and provide support to impacted families.”

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger, who represents residents in the Eaton fire burn zone, said in a statement that the plan is “an essential roadmap forward” that marks “a shift from debris removal to reconstruction that will help residents and businesses navigate the path home with greater clarity and support.”

“This blueprint shows what’s possible when multiple levels of government, private industry, philanthropy and community partners come together with urgency to facilitate large-scale solutions,” Barger said.

To date, Los Angeles County has issued 164 rebuilding permits in the affected areas, including 148 in the Eaton fire burn zone and 16 in the Palisades area, according to the county’s permitting progress dashboard.

The county and its partners plan to use the report’s guidance over the next 120 days. Next steps include planning for more than 150 miles of infrastructure lines for electricity, gas and telecommunications.

— Chris Malone Méndez