FAQs

Excavation permits:  Borings :  GEOLOGIC/ GEOTECHNICAL EXPLORATORY EXCAVATION BORINGS ONLY will be exempted from permits for Broad, Franklin and Palisades fire rebuilds per the Building Official Determination.

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In some cases, concurrent submittals may be warranted to speed up the process. For the most part, rebuilds in-kind will see quick planning approval and so there may not be a need for concurrent submittal. After receiving planning approval, the application will go through the plan check process with Building Safety before a permit is issued.

At this time, Council has not provided staff with direction related to fee waivers for the Palisades Fire. This item may be discussed at a future Council meeting. If you would like to be made aware of if this item becomes scheduled. Please provide your name, contact information and forwarding mailing address in the Contact Us page.

A temporary, owner-occupied trailer or mobile home may be placed onsite if permits are obtained with certain conditions of approval. Debris clearance must be completed and a City-registered OWTS practitioner must verify that there is a functioning onsite wastewater treatment system (OWTS, also known as a septic system) before permits may be issued. A Temporary Housing Permit Booklet, as well as other information, can be found at MalibuRebuilds.org.

Erosion control devices help control or prevent wind- or water-induced erosion of exposed soil and debris. Normally, review and approval from the Building Safety Division is required before these devices can be installed. This will help ensure they are installed properly and do not cause further damage to the property or a neighboring property. However, if rain is expected in the upcoming 24 to 48 hours, property owners may proceed to put erosion control measures in place without obtaining a permit. For additional information, visit the Storm Preparation page on the MalibuRebuilds.org site.

• OWTS – Onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS), sometimes called septic systems, need to be inspected by a City-registered OWTS practitioner to verify their functionality before they can be used for either a permanent rebuild or a temporary trailer. Most of the components of an OWTS are located below ground and are typically more resistant to fire damage. Damage to an OWTS may have occurred due to high heat, exposure to flames, smoke, ash, and power outages or equipment failure. Heavy firefighting equipment and heat from fires may also damage underground OWTS components, such as fiberglass tanks, piping, and old system components. In addition, fire materials may have contaminated the contents of tanks, and the liquid and waste may need to be pumped out. A City-registered Practitioner must inspect the OWTS for signs of damage and functionality of components and submit an OWTS inspection form prior to utilization of the system.
• FOUNDATIONS – The re-use of other structural elements, such as existing foundations in fire-damaged buildings and structures require a feasibility review by the City’s Environmental Sustainability Department. This review only considers the durability and soundness of concrete foundations, including slabs, footings, piles, and retaining walls, based on the testing data described below. Find out more information about foundation feasibility reports by viewing the Foundation Feasibility Report for Fire-Damaged Structures and Foundation Re-Use after a Wildfire.
• CHIMNEYS AND FIREPLACES – The re-use of chimneys and fireplaces still standing after the completion of the debris removal process requires the confirmation of structural stability by a structural engineer. Fireplaces and chimneys destroyed or removed may be replaced per the permit process described below however, note that all new fireplaces must be gas-burning, as state law prohibits the construction of new wood-burning fireplaces.