For Immediate Release: October 24, 2025
City of Malibu Strengthens Commitment to Helping Residents Rebuild and Restore the Community
(Malibu, CA) – In the wake of the Franklin and Palisades Fires, the City of Malibu continues to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with residents as our community rebuilds from unprecedented devastation. Malibu is rebuilding, carefully, compassionately, and with purpose. While recovery in Malibu is complex due to our unique coastal and hillside terrain, we are making steady, measurable progress every day.
“Malibu has always been defined by its people, and their strength, compassion, and resilience. In the aftermath of the Franklin and Palisades Fires, we are not just rebuilding structures; we are rebuilding a community. Every policy we adopt and every permit we issue reflects our shared determination to restore Malibu with care and purpose,” said Mayor Marianne Riggins.
The City responsively has issued 354 permits for repairs, debris removal, and reconstruction. With 168 planning submittals received, 92 planning applications have been approved already. To date, the City issued 6 building permits for single family homes, with 6 more expected over the next week, and all efforts are continually focused on issuing more permits. These figures are publicly available and updated daily on the Malibu Rebuild Dashboard, reflecting our commitment to transparency.
The City Council has directed streamlining processes. Expert staff have cut review steps in half, established a one-stop rebuild portal, and introduced a single correction cycle to streamline approvals. At the Rebuild Center, 10 staff and 35 consultants provide in-person support, completing most plan reviews within 10 days and issuing automated progress updates throughout. Starting Monday, dedicated case managers with experience in Maui, Sonoma, and Santa Cruz recoveries will be assigned to each homeowner after planning approval, ensuring direct communication and advocacy.
The City of Malibu has launched a Fee Waiver Program to help property owners rebuild by eliminating City planning and building permit fees for like-for-like, owner-occupied homes.
We have made MEP permits optional for homes under 5,000 square feet and launched new architectural templates to reduce plan corrections. Malibu is also collaborating with Los Angeles County to share educational videos, permitting checklists, and best practices.
Mayor Riggins added, “We know recovery in Malibu is complex, but we’re committed to making it easier for residents to come home. Together, we are ensuring that Malibu’s future remains as strong and beautiful as the place we all love.”
The City of Malibu continues to listen closely to its residents and adapt in real time. Through the Zone Captain Program and weekly community meetings, residents are helping shape policies and priorities from the ground up. Feedback from homeowners and community members directly informs ongoing process improvements, from refining permit workflows to expanding in-person support at the Rebuild Center. Transparency remains central to every step of Malibu’s recovery, with open communication, public dashboards, and data-driven decision-making guiding the city’s rebuilding efforts. By keeping residents’ voices at the forefront, Malibu is ensuring that its path to recovery reflects the collective strength, insight, and resilience of the entire community.
Malibu’s rebuilding effort reflects the city’s resilience and the unique challenges of its extraordinary setting. Unlike more urban environments such as Los Angeles or Santa Rosa, Malibu’s coastal topography, hillside terrain, slope stability considerations, and stringent environmental protections create one of the most complex rebuilding environments in California. Yet these same factors also make Malibu a model for thoughtful, sustainable recovery — one grounded in care and purpose. Much like Pacific Palisades, where similar conditions exist, Malibu’s focus remains on ensuring that every home is rebuilt safely, responsibly, and in harmony with its distinctive landscape.
Our goal is not just to rebuild homes, but to restore the heart of Malibu – its people, neighborhoods, and identity. With every permit, plan, and partnership, Malibu is rebuilding carefully, compassionately, and with purpose, stronger, safer, and more united than before.