Los Angeles officials have approved the first three building permits for homeowners looking to rebuild after January's devastating Palisades fire, marking a key step forward in the region's recovery efforts.
The Department of Building and Safety greenlit permits for two complete home rebuilds and one repair project in Pacific Palisades. The first permit, issued March 5, allows repairs to a fire-damaged bedroom, bathroom and garage of a split-level home near Rustic Canyon.
"The process worked excellently," said Paul Lobana, the structural engineer overseeing the repair project. "The city was very courteous." Construction has already begun on the approved repairs.
Among the permit recipients is Gary Lionelli, whose newly built home was destroyed less than a year after completion. Lionelli opted to submit identical blueprints to expedite the process. "We're not going to do anything that would delay us," said Lionelli, who hopes to begin construction once debris clearing finishes.
Mayor Karen Bass announced at a news conference that the city aims to streamline the rebuilding process for fire victims. The city has opened one-stop permitting centers and waived certain zoning reviews for homeowners planning to rebuild structures similar in size to their original homes.
As of last week, 72 property owners had submitted rebuilding applications to the city. An additional 135 property owners filed applications with L.A. County's Department of Public Works for rebuilding in unincorporated areas - 109 in the Eaton fire zone and 26 in the Palisades fire area.
The January wildfires caused extensive damage, with over 6,000 homes destroyed or seriously damaged in Pacific Palisades and surrounding areas. The Eaton fire, which started the same day, displaced 6,900 households from Altadena and nearby communities.
Local architects advise homeowners not to delay submitting applications, though some uncertainty remains about potential changes to building codes regarding fire-resistant materials. The mayor's office has also issued updated executive orders to expedite reviews for homeowners choosing all-electric systems and appliances.
Bass emphasized that property owners must either opt in or out of the federal government's free debris removal service, warning that failure to clear properties could result in liens. Residents have 10 days to complete the required entry form on L.A. County's website.