City Council Takes Action to Support Fire Rebuilds and Local Businesses

At the April 14 City Council meeting, the City Council approved fee waivers to support property owners rebuilding their homes until 2028. Eligibility requirements include:

• Only for like-for-like and like-for-like plus 10%
• Only for owners at the time of the fire and their heirs
• Must be owned by an individual or trust; cannot be corporation (LLC)

The City Council directed staff to bring back a business support plan to help local Malibu businesses that have been impacted by the Pacific Coast Highway closure. The plan is to include:

• Temporary signage and temporary relief on certain Temporary Use Permit (TUP) requirements
• Suspension of the minimum wage increase for one year
• Micro-grant program using General Fund dollars
• A Business Promotion Program in collaboration with the Palibu Chamber of Commerce

The City Council has approved a one-year suspension of the scheduled minimum wage increase to support businesses impacted by the effects of the Palisades Fire. As a result, the minimum wage in the City of Malibu will remain at $17.27 for Fiscal Year 2025–2026. Employers may still choose to pay wages above the minimum rate based on their individual business needs.

Preliminary Soil Testing Results From Palisades Fire

On April 10, LA County released preliminary soil testing results for areas affected by the Eaton and Palisades Fires. Conducted by Roux Inc., the study measured heavy metals, PAHs, and dioxins from properties inside and near the burn areas. In the Palisades burn area, samples showed isolated exceedances above screening thresholds, but there is no evidence of widespread contamination from fire-related chemicals. For more information or to find testing locations, call 1-800-524-5323.

DEBRIS REMOVAL UPDATES

While the April 15 deadline to submit Right-of-Entry passes has passed, the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will continue to be on site at City Hall to share information on fire debris removal. USACE representatives will be at City Hall Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM at least through the end of April.

UPCOMING EVENTS

RESOURCE SPOTLIGHT

Small Business Association Extends the Deadline for Two Loan Programs

The Small Business Association (SBA) extended the deadline for its Physical Damage Loan Program to Friday, May 30, 2025. The loan is available to businesses, homeowners, and renters who had damaged properties from a declared disaster, including the recent fires.

The deadline to apply for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program is Wednesday, October 8, 2025. Small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and private nonprofit organizations financially impacted by the California Wildfire Disaster are eligible to apply.

CITY SERVICES

Malibu Rebuild Center Progress Update: March 10 – April 17

The City is pleased to announce progress on the rebuilding effort since opening the Malibu Rebuild Center on Monday, March 10:

• Initial Rebuild Consultations/Site Verification – 193 Initial visits / 64 follow-up visits
• Architectural Plan Review – 13 Pending / 6 Approved = 19 total (like-for-like: 11; Like-for-like +10%: 8)
• Building Plan Check Submittal – 0 Received/ 0 Approved
• Certificate of Occupancy – 0

The City is committed to doing everything possible to help property owners get through the rebuilding process. Visit us at the Malibu Rebuild Center (23805 Stuart Ranch Road, Suite 240) Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM.