Six months after the Palisades Fire — one of the most significant natural disasters in California history — the City of Los Angeles provided a progress update on its recovery efforts and outlined priorities for continued rebuilding.
To date, over 3,450 residential properties in the City of L.A. — nearly 80% of those affected — have been cleared of debris, marking a key milestone in the rebuilding process. The cleanup began just 35 days after the fire started, significantly faster than similar efforts following previous major wildfires. More than 1 million tons of debris have been removed, and the City has issued 165 building permits across 440 unique addresses. The first permit was issued within 57 days, more than twice as fast as comparable wildfire recoveries.
Key recovery metrics include:
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650+ plan check applications submitted
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220+ plans approved
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Water and power restored to standing homes within two months
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3,500+ individuals served at the One-Stop Rebuilding Center
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4 Impacted Worker and Family Recovery Centers opened
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300 tons of hazardous material removed
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13,500 feet of concrete barriers and 7,500 sandbags installed to protect burn areas
Reconstruction of key community spaces has also advanced. Debris has been cleared from the Palisades Rec Center, Playground, and Library, and from three public schools that were partially destroyed. A public-private partnership was formed to fund the redesign and rebuild of the Palisades Recreation Center. Commercial properties such as Tahitian Terrace and Malibu Village were granted special inclusion in debris removal programs.
The City continues to focus on making rebuilding more accessible by streamlining permitting, reducing fees, and encouraging innovation. Measures include:
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Executive orders to waive or delay business taxes for affected firms
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A Self-Certification Pilot Program allowing licensed architects to verify code compliance without full plan checks
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Use of AI tools, including a pilot partnership with Archistar, to accelerate pre-plan check reviews
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A directive to suspend rebuilding-related fees, pending City Council approval
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Public access to building plans and expedited inspections
The Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) has created a repository of building blueprints and committed to completing Palisades reconstruction inspections within two business days of request.
Infrastructure efforts include LADWP’s work to underground parts of its power system, including a new 34.5kV circuit along Sunset Blvd. and expansion of Distribution Station 29. The City also engaged AECOM to develop logistics, infrastructure, and traffic management plans to support large-scale construction efforts.
To address long-term financial needs, the City is pursuing over $360 million in reimbursements and approximately $3 billion in federal and state hazard mitigation funding. Officials are also coordinating with labor, philanthropic, and private sector partners to address rebuilding costs, improve construction efficiency, and manage workforce logistics.
Recovery efforts are ongoing, with continued coordination among local, state, and federal agencies to support rebuilding in Pacific Palisades and surrounding communities.
