Dear Friends,

We have received countless calls and emails from clients and friends wanting to know, “How do I get back into my home and/or business?”

Both heartbreaking and heartening, these questions are a powerful reminder that our city is not going anywhere. Los Angeles will rise again, stronger, smarter, and better prepared for the future.

The governor and mayor have issued executive orders aimed at streamlining the rebuilding process, and we are monitoring state and local updates for actionable next steps.

Additionally, we are working directly with LADBS, the City Council and state agencies to develop strategies for accelerating the permitting process. The task at hand is monumental, and meeting the moment will require radical, out-of-the-box thinking. KW&A is actively engaged in finding creative policy solutions to remove barriers to rebuilding.

While many questions persist, let me share what is clear at this time. Below we have mapped out the current rebuilding process.

When can I gain access to my property?

• LAFD is currently assessing properties and neighborhoods for safe access.
• Utility, Public Works & LADBS are currently assessing roads, utilities, and structures for safe access. These surveys include power, water, fiber optics, sewer, trees, roads and structures. Work is already underway in areas deemed safe, but ongoing fires make timelines unclear. We expect that some regional utility systems will need repair and potential replacement.

What are the next steps?

• Debris removal. All sites are considered hazardous. Separate testing will not be required, with the exception of sites at higher risk of contamination, such as petrol stations and dry cleaners.
• LA City has assembled a task force to initiate this process. We are advocating for the government to offer an option to privately fund debris removal in order to expedite the process.
• The County & City are currently working on a plan to get landfills prepared for a high volume of hazardous waste.
• Demo permits will not be required for the removal of the debris. However, coordination with the Department of Building and Safety will be required.
• Temporary dwellings onsite. Once cleared of hazardous materials, the use of temporary recreational vehicles, tiny homes, modular structures, mobile homes and storage units will be allowed on the property.

What do I need to rebuild my property?

• Plan check to permit process. The Mayor’s executive order establishes the Disaster Recovery Permitting Center — a one-stop shop dedicated to swiftly issuing permits for eligible projects. Some highlights and personal reflections:
• The intent is to preserve existing nonconforming rights.
• Architectural, structural, civil, soils and geology and survey plans will be required for permitting. The Mayor’s order does detail an option being explored for architects to self-certify their work to assist with the processing. This is great! I am urging the City to expand this to include structural and civil engineers as well. Anything to reduce time.
• Discretionary review will be waived for “like to like” replacement projects not exceeding the 110%. Anything over 100% in the coastal zone will trigger Coastal review. Anything over 110% could trigger Specific Plan and any other typical entitlements.
• No haul route hearings required. Approval should be granted within 15 days of submittal.
• We are advocating that expedited support be provided to all code-compliant projects within the boundary of the fire-impacted area, even if exceeding the 110%.
• LAFD/Fire Life Safety and current building code requirements will still be required for the rebuild and may impact the location and building type of the replacement structure.
• All outside agency clearances are still required and are supposed to be returned within five days. I don’t think this is sufficient and am currently advocating to remove many of the clearances.
• All Electric Building provisions waived.
• The review process for “like to like” projects up to 110% is supposed to take no longer than 30 days. This does not include the time it takes to respond to corrections.
• The Department of Building & Safety’s dedicated portal will go live next week for anybody ready to submit for plan check.
• Requirements for properties with historic designations remain unclear, to be defined post-site survey.
• Inspections. Construction-related inspections to be provided within 48 hours of any request. We are urging officials to consider expanding the work that deputy inspectors can undertake to further expedite the process.
• Utility connections. Base regional damage may impact utility connections.
• Certificate of Occupancy. The executive order calls for expedited processing of the COO. Temporary Occupancy may be needed to support areas that are still working on temporary power, or provide options for generators for homes as a stop-gap measure.

I know this may be a lot to take in right now. Please call the office with any questions. We are here to guide you through it. Our hearts go out to everybody impacted and we are here to do anything that we can.

Kimberlina Whettam
Principal
kimberlina@kwhettam.com
213-228-5303

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