Ordinance No. 188985, Waiver of Fees for Buildings or Structures Damaged in the Wildfires of January 2025, waives many of the permitting and clearance fees for work performed to rebuild damaged or destroyed structures or buildings.

Permit and related fees are waived for the person or party who owned the property at the time of the wildfires, unless the property is sold prior to the issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy, in which case the owner/seller of the property will reimburse the City for the full amount of all fees waived. If fees were paid in full prior to Ordinance No. 188985 or Emergency Executive Order No. 7, Suspending Collection of Plan Check and Permit Fees, you may be eligible for a refund.

Where do I get the forms?

You can download the printable online claim form. Claim forms are also available from all Department of Building and Safety Cashiers located at each District and Branch Office. They may also be obtained from Financial Services on 201 N. Figueroa St, 7th floor, or at any Office of the City Clerk. You may request that a refund form be mailed to you by calling the Financial Services Office at (213) 482-6890, or MyLA311 at: 311 or (213) 473-3231. You may alternatively submit a request for a Claim for Refund form online 24/7 at https://myla311.lacity.gov. They can also answer questions you may have. For refunds related to Palisades rebuild projects please also complete the Property Owner Fee Waiver Acknowledgement Form for the January 2025 Wildfires.

What do I need to attach?

You will need to attach your original cash register receipt and your application or permit copy containing the original cash register validation. If you do not attach your original receipt and application or permit, an affidavit stating why you cannot submit the originals, signed by you and notarized, will be accepted. However, if you submit an affidavit in lieu of receipts, you will also be required to submit a copy, front and back of your canceled check or other proof of payment. For refunds related to Palisades rebuild projects please also complete the Property Owner Fee Waiver Acknowledgement Form for the January 2025 Wildfires and attach it to the Claim for Refund form. Your claim will NOT be processed without these documents.

Where do I file the refund?

Your completed refund form and attached documents can be filed at any Office of the City Clerk or mailed to:

City Clerk

Room 395, City Hall

200 N. Spring St.

Los Angeles, CA 90012-4869

You may also submit your refund form at any Department of Building & Safety cashier counter. The cashier will then forward the claim to the City Clerk's Office.

How long do I have to file a claim?

Ordinance No. 188985 waives fees up to an aggregate of cap of $90 million for three years. Claims for refund of eligible fees will be accepted until the three-year eligibility period ends or the $90 million cap is reached.

What will be refunded?

The City will refund any fees paid that are eligible to be waived. If the property is sold prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy, the fees will no longer be eligible for waiver and the owner/seller will need to pay any fees owed prior to receiving a Certificate of Occupancy.

What happens to my refund claim?

1. The City Clerk's office will assign a number, date stamp, and log in your claim. They will then send it to Building and Safety, Financial Services for review.
2. Financial Services staff will also log it in. The refund will be forwarded to the applicable division for refund recommendation. For example, if the refund is for a building permit, requests will be sent to our Plan Check Engineers and our Building Inspectors. Our Department staff will review the refund requests and make appropriate recommendations. These recommendations will be sent back to Financial Services.
3. Financial Services staff will complete the audit on the claim, make the necessary calculations and set up either the refund or the denial letter. When completed, the refund or denial letter will be mailed to the claimant.
4. The refund will be mailed in the form of a check and will include reference to Ordinance No. 188985 and the corresponding property address. Please call the Financial Services Office at (213) 482-6890 for any questions or to obtain additional information regarding the refund issued.