• LA County Public Works Hotline: 844-347-3332 | US Army Corps of Engineers Call Center: 213-308-8305

Rebuilding Together

This guide is an introduction to planning, designing, and constructing healthy, resilient, and efficient buildings and properties.

This guide is a resource for property owners —and design and building professionals supporting property owners—faced with post-fire rebuilding. It contains information and resources for planning, designing, and constructing a high-performance building more resilient to fire risks. The website is a work in progress and will be updated as more resources become available. This resource guide also supports those considering retrofitting existing structures and/or building new structures regardless of fire impacts.

*Note: All designs must meet applicable local and state codes. Where multiple compliant options exist, you are encouraged to discuss with a licensed design and/or building professional.

I am a property owner

Resources for Property Owners

Whether you are constructing a new building, rebuilding after a disaster, or renovating an existing structure, this toolkit walks you through critical elements of planning, designing, and constructing a healthier, more resilient and efficient building.

Resources for Rebuilding after the Los Angeles County Fires

This website provides information on building design and certification standards, energy and water efficiency, electric heating and vehicles, solar energy, fire resistant construction, and incentives, discounts, and financing mechanism to help you rebuild. Most of these elements are decided in the design stage as they all work together. Incorporating these elements after a building is designed can add costs and time—and it can be quite costly to incorporate such features in the future as a renovation—so consider these elements early in the process.

How To Use This Website

While this website is designed for those affected by the Los Angeles County Fires, the information applies to anyone looking to create a more resilient building. The website is divided into pages that track along with the building process. Each page contains an overview of the topic and additional resources. Many of the resources are focused on residential construction, as most structures lost in the fires were residential. Many of the resources are focused on residential construction, as most structures lost in the fires were residential, however, the recommendations here can apply to any type of building.

I am a design/building professional

Find resources, links and other information to assist with resilient rebuilding of fire-impacted communities.

Learn More

Key Resources

This guide offers an introduction to the many measures one can take while rebuilding to make buildings and communities more fire resilient. Additionally, there are several organizations and agencies dedicated to the subject matter that have developed in-depth resources and tools to assist property owners in making informed decisions for fire-resilient properties and buildings. Below are some trusted agencies and organizations that provide more detailed information.

View Resources

Key Terms

Chapter 7A – Standards and Building Code provisions related to building materials and construction techniques used to protect buildings from wildfires to protect life and property for a building located in a Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area and Fire Hazard Severity Zone by increasing its ability to resist the intrusion of flames or embers.

Fire Hazard Severity Zones – Designations by CAL FIRE that identify wildfire hazard risks. There are three levels of fire hazard: moderate, high, and very high. At the local level, building within a fire hazard severity zone will require compliance with additional code requirements, such as Chapter 7A.

Fire/Fuel Ladder – vegetation that allows fires to climb up from the ground to structures or trees.

Firewise – Measures taken to minimize the risk of home ignition and damage from wildfires by taking action at the individual and community-wide level.

Home Hardening – The process of minimizing the risk of fires and flame spread by developing defensible space around a structure by clearing potential fuel for fires, utilizing fire-resistant materials, and sealing vulnerable areas that can allow embers to enter.

Thermal Breaks – Material or structures that break the conduction of heat, preventing fires from easily spreading.

Thermal Bridges – Material or structures that conduct heat, allowing fires to spread easily.

Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) – Where development meets and mixes with wildland areas. This area is specifically vulnerable to wildfire due to the mixture of human activity and flammable vegetation. WUI areas are designated by the state.