Fire damage in Los Angeles, CA

If your home was destroyed in the Palisades or Eaton fire, LA County gives like-for-like rebuilds — structures of the same size, in the same location, and for the same purpose — quicker permitting review than more complex projects. In the Palisades fire area, the replacement may still increase floor area, size, height, or building footprint by up to 10%; in the Eaton fire area, by up to 10% or 200 square feet, whichever is greater. Like-for-like structures are not held to current Zoning Code requirements, but must comply with current Building, Fire, and Health and Safety Code requirements.

In California, anyone performing construction or restoration work where the combined labor and materials total $1,000 or more, or where any structural work is involved (e.g., opening walls, removing drywall/insulation), must hold a license from the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) — typically a B (General Building) or an appropriate C-classification. (The licensure threshold rose from $500 to $1,000 under AB 2622, effective January 1, 2025.) California does not issue a state mold-remediation license, so mold work involving structural repair falls under CSLB classifications rather than a mold-specific credential. CSLB actively cites unlicensed operators, so homeowners should confirm a contractor's license at cslb.ca.gov before hiring.

Unincorporated-area homeowners rebuilding after the Eaton or Palisades fires can work through permits at LA County's One-Stop Permit Centers. Eaton fire area: 464 W Woodbury Rd, Suite 210, Altadena, (626) 424-6743, walk-ins Monday–Friday 8:00 AM–4:30 PM. Palisades fire area: 27001 Agoura Road, Suite 250, Calabasas, (818) 880-4150, walk-ins Monday–Friday 7–11 AM. Staff from Public Works, Regional Planning, Public Health, and the Fire Department are on site to guide owners through permits, entitlements, and inspections, and rebuild consultation appointments are free.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed Phase 2 fire debris cleanup for Eaton and Palisades fire properties in the government-sponsored program in September 2025. In early 2026, LA County is coordinating with insurance providers to collect insurance proceeds specifically identified for debris removal; if your insurer paid you those funds directly and you do not use them to pay a private contractor to remove fire debris the Army Corps did not remove, you may be obligated to remit them to the County. You may apply debris-removal insurance benefits toward eligible items the program did not cover, such as swimming pools, patios, and trees. Keep your USACE Final Sign Off (FSO) with your rebuild records.

After a major wildfire, California runs its state-managed Consolidated Debris Removal Program in coordination with county governments — homeowners communicate primarily with their county, and CalRecycle publishes the state's homeowner recovery guidance. The program is executed in two phases: Phase 1 removes visible household hazardous waste right away; Phase 2 clears the remaining ash and debris soon after. To join the state-managed cleanup — which has no out-of-pocket costs for property owners — submit a Right-of-Entry form to your county granting access to your property. Do not disturb the burn footprint: moving or spreading debris will disqualify your property from the program. Owners who opt out must instead conduct the cleanup themselves or hire a private contractor at their own expense, obtaining county permits and environmental sign-off and meeting the state's debris-removal standards. See CalRecycle's wildfire recovery page.