At its Jan. 27 meeting, the City Council adopted a resolution to initiate changes to the Local Coastal Program (LCP) and Malibu Municipal Code to expedite the Malibu rebuilding process. Staff is exploring options to:
- Allow property owners to rebuild a like-for-like plus 10% home without a Coastal Development Permit while still meeting FEMA flood zone standards through a zoning text amendment.
- Amend the LCP to allow relief for residents in geologic hazard areas to facilitate relocating their structures to safer areas on their properties without requiring a Coastal Development Permit.
Following Council direction, the Planning Commission will hold a special meeting on Thursday, Feb. 20, at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall to consider code amendments for rebuilding.
“We are doing everything within our power to streamline the rebuilding process and remove unnecessary barriers so residents can focus on recovery,” said Mayor Doug Stewart. “The City is taking swift action to cut the red tape within our control, and we will continue working with state and federal partners to ensure a smooth and efficient path forward.”
The proposed changes come on the heels of an executive order issued by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Jan. 27 further suspending permitting requirements under the California Coastal Act. The executive order also expands the temporary housing supply by extending the amount of time people can stay at hotels and short-term rentals for more than 30 days.
Phase I of the debris removal for the Palisades Fire is underway by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This phase includes fire debris assessments and household hazardous waste removal at two staging sites on Topanga Canyon Blvd and at the Will Rogers State Beach Parking lot.
At a Feb. 3 Special City Council meeting, the EPA shared a presentation on its debris removal operations, outlining items being removed from properties and how materials are processed at staging areas before being shipped off-site to the appropriate disposal facility. The EPA emphasized its strict safeguards, including protective flooring and waterproof barriers to prevent waste from touching the ground, as well as pre and post soil sampling to ensure staging areas are fully restored. To watch the full presentation, visit the City of Malibu’s YouTube channel here: City Council Special Meeting February 3, 2025 – YouTube.
As Phase I is in progress, residents can choose to opt in or opt out of the government-sponsored Phase II. Residents interested in opting in to allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to handle their property cleanup must complete a Right of Entry (ROE) Form by Mar. 31. If residents prefer to manage cleanup independently, they can fill out an opt-out form. Both forms are available at Recovery.LACounty.gov and in-person at the Disaster Recovery Center (10850 Pico Blvd., Los Angeles).
The City encourages everyone to stay informed by signing up for e-notifications about the latest updates, resources and events related to recovery and rebuilding efforts in Malibu. To sign up, visit MalibuCity.org/RebuildUpdates.
Through the expedited permitting process, collaborative committee meetings and the launch of digital resources, the City of Malibu is committed to supporting the community’s recovery efforts every step of the way. For more information on the Palisades Fire response and resources available, visit MalibuCity.org/PalisadesFire.