The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved a motion to defer and refund county permitting and inspection fees for survivors of the Eaton and Palisades fires that devastated the region in January 2025.
The motion, authored by Supervisor Kathryn Barger, provides immediate relief to homeowners rebuilding single-family homes in unincorporated communities affected by the fires. The county will also issue refunds to those who already paid fees for qualifying rebuild projects.
"Families who lost everything in these devastating wildfires deserve every opportunity to rebuild without being burdened by county fees," Barger said. "Today's unanimous vote is a clear statement that our Board stands with these residents."
To qualify for fee deferral or refund, homeowners must have owned and resided in the property before the fires struck. The fires destroyed more than 7,400 residential and commercial structures, displacing thousands of county residents who now face insurance claims and financial challenges while rebuilding.
County permit fees often exceed $20,000, representing a significant obstacle for wildfire survivors working to rebuild their homes and lives.
The motion stems from a report prepared by the county's chief executive officer that evaluated options to reduce or waive rebuilding fees. The report estimated that waiving all rebuilding and inspection fees in unincorporated areas affected by the Eaton Fire alone could cost $120 million.
Barger's motion directs county departments to complete an updated fee study within 60 days, considering potential cost savings from new technologies including Archistar permitting software, the county's One Stop Centers and a Unified Permitting Authority.
The motion also instructs departments to explore long-term funding strategies, including budget reallocations, federal disaster assistance and philanthropic partnerships to make permanent fee waivers financially sustainable.
"As you drive through Altadena, you still see the signs that read 'Altadena Not For Sale,'" Barger said. "Today, this Board backed up that message with real action. By removing these fees, we're giving wildfire survivors a better chance to stay in their communities, rebuild their homes, and hold on to hope for the future."
Edited by SMDP Staff