2025 Los Angeles Wildfires
The Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety is committed to helping our communities rebuild properties impacted by the January 2025 wildfires.
L.A. Strong: Return and Rebuild
For up-to-date LA City Palisades Fire recovery and rebuilding resources and information, visit: Recovery.LACity.gov
Mayor's Emergency Executive Orders
In response to the devastating 2025 Los Angeles Wildfires, Mayor Karen Bass has issued Emergency Executive Orders to provide a streamlined path for rebuilding.
Emergency Executive Order No. 1 Implementation Guidelines
As directed by EEO1, guidelines on the implementation of the order related to applications and permitting processes have been issued. Refer to the link below for more information.
Emergency Executive Order No. 4 Implementation Guidelines
As directed by EEO4, guidelines on the implementation of the order related to applications and permitting processes for temporary school and child care facility uses have been issued. Refer to the link below for more information.
Self-Certification Pilot Program
On April 22, 2025, Mayor Karen Bass issued Emergency Executive Order No. 6 to accelerate the permit review for rebuilding projects in areas that were destroyed in the January 2025 Wildfires, requiring the Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) to establish a plan check Self-Certification Pilot Program. For further information, please refer to the page below:
LA City Rebuilds - Try the eCheck AI for Streamlined Rebuilding
The City of Los Angeles is excited to introduce the Archistar eCheck AI Pilot, a free and easy-to-use tool that checks home designs against zoning regulations. If your single-family home in an R1 or RE residential zone was affected by recent fires, you’re invited to join as an Early Adopter.
Here’s how to participate:
- Create a free account at start.archistar.ai/us/lacity
- Look up your property address
- Upload your architectural drawings in PDF format
Choose between Like-for-Like and Non-Like-for-Like rebuilds. During the pilot, results may take up to 10 business days, but are usually delivered much faster. Once ready, view your results directly on the platform and, if you choose to, include the downloadable eCheck report in your permit submission. This is a completely voluntary pilot, and is not required as part of the existing Plan Check application process.
By participating, you're helping train the AI model to make rebuilding faster and easier for all Angelenos.
➡ Visit start.archistar.ai/us/lacity to get started.
Debris Removal
Resources, Right of Entry (ROE) forms and contact information about debris removal can be found on the Los Angeles County website.
Demolition of Destroyed or Fire Damaged Structures
To streamline and expedite the rebuild process for structures that were destroyed or significantly damaged by the wildfires in 2025. The Mayor's Emergency Executive Order No. 1, issued on January 13, 2025, allows for demolishing fire damaged buildings without the need for permits.
Temporary Structures Used for Housing
To assist homeowners in rebuilding after the 2025 wildfires and provide temporary housing, certain temporary structures are allowed to be used as housing while damaged homes are being repaired or rebuilt. For further information, please refer to the links below:
Plan Submittal Requirements for 2025 Wildfire Rebuild Projects
Use this checklist to ensure you have what is needed to obtain a building permit to build new or repair. This checklist applies to projects using Mayor Bass’ Emergency Order 1 dated January 13th, 2025 to rapidly rebuild homes as they were.
Soil and Geological Reports for Rebuild Projects
Soil and geological report requirements are outlined in the information bulletin P/BC 2025-157.
Standard Plan Call & Homeowner Access
For Builders and Architects - Call for Standard Plan Submissions: Help Rebuild Pacific Palisades
Under the Mayor’s Executive Directive No. 13 the City of Los Angeles invites qualified architects, designers, and builders to submit code-compliant, wildfire-resilient home designs for inclusion in the Standard Plans Program to support rebuilding efforts in the Pacific Palisades.
This unique opportunity to contribute to a pre-approved library of single-family home designs that will help streamline the permitting process for property owners affected by recent wildfires.
This initiative is led by the Mayor’s Office, in partnership with LADBS and the Department of City Planning. Plans will be promoted through public rebuild workshops, expos, and one-stop permitting centers.
For Homeowners
Looking to rebuild faster? Browse our Catalogue of Pre-Approved Standard Plans, designed to help you quickly identify homes or ADUs that fit your lot, meet city codes, and align with local design preferences. These plans can significantly reduce permitting time and cost, while offering peace of mind during the rebuilding process
Frequently Asked Questions
Complete plans and construction documents will need to be submitted to the Department of Building and Safety (DBS) for review. The plans can be submitted electronically on the DBS Electronic Plan Review Portal (ePlanLA). Alternately, plans can also be submitted in person via walk-in service at the West LA Office or by appointment at any of the DBS’s office locations. The Department highly recommends online submittal, a dedicated team will be assigned to expeditiously review all permits related to the 2025 wildfire repair and rebuild.
In addition to complete plans and calculations, you may need the Certificate of Occupancy (CofO) and building permits. Information on how to get plans for your house are available under the question titled “Does the Department have copies of the plan for my house or building?”
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Reusing of the existing slab and foundation are allowed provided a licensed California engineer or architect has evaluated the foundation system and determines that it is in good condition. Documentation including observation and testing of the system will need to be provided to the Department for review and approval. In certain geological areas, further soils/geotechnical investigation may be required to evaluate the reuse of the foundation system.
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Mayor Bass’ Emergency Executive Order No. 1 authorizes that a project may be repaired or reconstructed with the same nonconforming use, yards, height, number of stories, lot area, floor area, residential floor area, residential density, loading space, parking or off-site signs as the original building, provided that the rebuilt or restored structures or facilities do not exceed 110% of the square footage, height, and bulk existing immediately prior to the Wildfires.
The project will need to comply with the current Building Codes.
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The Department does not recommend any contractors. Prior to hiring a contractor, we recommend you to review their licensing information and proof of insurance. The California State Department of Consumer Affairs maintains an online tool to Check a Contractor License.
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The Department does not recommend any architects or engineers. Prior to hiring an architect or engineer, we recommend that you review their licensing information. For licensing information about architects, please visit the California Architects Board. For licensing information about engineers, please visit the California State Department of Consumer Affairs.
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Yes. To assist homeowners in rebuilding after the 2025 wildfires and provide temporary living arrangements, under the Mayor's Emergency Executive Order No. 1, the placement of such structures on the property is allowed for up to three years, or while an active building permit is applicable to said property, whichever is longer. For more information, please see Temporary Housing For Fire Damaged Properties Information Bulletin.
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LADBS Records Section has as-built plans (blueprints) for Single Family Dwellings, Duplexes, Apartments, and most Commercial buildings, permitted and built after 1977.
For more information, refer to the last page of the research request form.
You may look up the Certificate of Occupancy online at our Online Building Records or the Department of Building and Safety Records Section will help obtain the Certificate of Occupancy.
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All records related to Building and Safety transactions (construction permits, mechanical permits, Certificates of Occupancy, grading reports, Zoning Rebuild Letters, a reference to the digital location of plans/blue prints, etc.) can be found in LADBS’ Internet Document Information System (IDIS) at ladbsdoc.lacity.org/. There is a link to a “Records Tutorial” at the bottom of the main search page which provides instructions for searching records.
You may also request and obtain copies of these documents by emailing the completed research request form to Records.LADBS@lacity.org, or in person by scheduling an appointment at our following locations:
- Downtown LA - Metro Office: 201 N Figueroa St, 1st Flr, Room 110, or
- Van Nuys Office: 6262 Van Nuys Blvd 2nd Flr, Room 251
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Please inquire with the Department of City Planning for requirements and approvals relating to the Coastal Zone.
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As of 6/9, LADBS will start accepting applications using the process shown in the Implementation Guideline.
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