Step 3: Start Your Permit Application
Once you have a plan for your project, you can start your permit application.
Types of Permit Applications
There are two types of County Disaster Recovery Permit applications – Temporary Housing and Rebuilds.
Temporary Housing
Temporary Housing Unit
- You may use a manufactured home, a mobilehome, or a recreational vehicle (“RV”) as a temporary housing unit if you lived in a legally-established single-family residence, accessory dwelling unit, or caretaker’s residence that was destroyed or made uninhabitable by a disaster. The temporary housing unit cannot be placed on any existing debris field.
Temporary Housing Community
- A temporary housing community, which is allowed by California Executive Order (“EO”) N-9-25, provides short-term housing for people who were displaced by a disaster and may include manufactured homes, mobile homes or RVs, with basic infrastructure and services. The community must close by January 16, 2028, or within 30 days after EO N-9-25 ends, whichever happens first, unless a new application is submitted to show that the community will comply with current County standards.
Learn more about Temporary Housing.
Rebuilds
Like-For-Like Rebuild Projects
- Like-for-like rebuild projects have structures that are generally the same size, in the same location, and for the same purpose as the structures that were destroyed by the fire. Like-for-like rebuild projects may be approved with slight modifications to the previous structure’s plans, so long as they do not increase the floor area, size, height or building footprint by more than 10%. Note for the Eaton Fire area, you may increase the floor area by up to 200 SF or 10%, whichever is greater. Properties with an existing septic system may be eligible for a like-for-like rebuild project if the number of bedrooms or bedroom equivalents remains unchanged.
- Like-for-like structures do not need to comply with current Zoning Code requirements. However, they need to comply with current Building, Fire, and Health and Safety Code requirements. An application can include new accessory dwelling unit(s) (“ADUs”) that will be built along with the like-for-like structures. Applications can be submitted at a One Stop Permit Center or online, and will be reviewed within 10 business days.
- Learn more about like-for-like rebuild projects.
Non-Like-for-Like Rebuild Projects
- Non-like-for-like rebuild projects must comply with current Zoning Code requirements and could require discretionary review, which includes a public hearing. If your rebuild project is non-like-for-like, County staff will let you know the process and you can choose to redesign the project to be like-for-like before you spend more time and money.
Standalone ADUs
- If your home was destroyed, you can build an ADU before you rebuild your home. Regular ADU standards will apply. Please visit planning.lacounty.gov/adu for more information. Standalone ADU applications can also be submitted in person or online, and will be reviewed within 10 business days.
IMPORTANT: Make sure you’re aware of any oak trees or other protected native trees nearby that could be affected by the construction. Please email us at recovery@planning.lacounty.gov to learn more about oak tree rules.
How to Apply
You can submit your application in person or online.
In-Person
- To submit your application in person, visit a One-Stop Permit Center in Altadena or Calabasas during counter hours.
- Architectural plans and a completed In-Person Application Form are required for in-person submittal.
Online
- Online applications can be submitted anytime through the LA County Electronic Permitting & Inspection Portal (EPIC-LA).
- For first time EPIC-LA users, register to apply online and pay applicable* fees. To learn how to register, check out the registration instructions for more information and if additional people need to be added to access a case, read the add contact instructions.
- *Fees are waived for qualifying property owners rebuilding single-family homes in unincorporated Los Angeles County, if the property owner both owned and lived in the property being rebuilt prior to January 7, 2025.
- After you register and log in, you can submit a County Recovery application in EPIC-LA.
- Architectural plans and a completed Supplemental Form are required for online submittal.
Once your application has been submitted, staff will review your materials and let you know if additional information is needed to complete your submittal before they can proceed with review.
Once a complete application has been accepted, LA County has committed to an expedited review time. The first review will occur within 10 business days and 5 business days for subsequent reviews. Additional review time may be required for Non-Like-for-like applications.
Bundled Projects Pilot Program
As part of Los Angeles County’s rebuilding response to the 2025 Eaton and Palisades fires, Public Works is launching a Bundled Projects Pilot Program to help streamline the rebuilding process for fire-impacted communities.
What Is a Bundled Project?
A bundled project allows developers to group multiple rebuilding projects—such as single-family homes and accessory dwelling units (ADUs)—into one coordinated submittal for streamlined review and approval.
Learn more about Bundled Projects [link].
To propose a bundled project or connect multiple applications, please contact:
📞 [Insert phone number]
📧 [Insert email address]
LA County eCheck – AI Pilot for Faster Plan Review
LA County is partnering with Archistar to launch the eCheck AI Pilot, a cutting-edge tool that reviews building plans for compliance with zoning rules using artificial intelligence.
When your building plan is ready, upload the architectural drawings for screening prior to submission to the County. The AI tool will flag any potential issues with the plan, which can reduce comments and back-and-forth in reviews.
If your single-family home was impacted by the Eaton or Palisades fire, and is located in a single-family (R-1) residential zone in the unincorporated Altadena or Sunset Mesa communities, you are invited to join as an early adopter.
Learn more about LA County eCheck.
Additional Requirements
No two projects are identical. Depending on your project and site, if you are planning a Non-Like-For-Like project, the following additional requirements may apply. Please consult with staff at a One-Stop Permit Center or by emailing recovery@planning.lacounty.gov.
The following permits and documentation may be needed for Non-Like-for-Like projects.
An Administrative Housing Permit may be required if you are proposing a non-like-for-like rebuild that includes income-restricted housing units.
A COC may be required to legalize the lot if you are proposing certaina non-like-for-like rebuilds, such as an SB-9 project, and there is not already a recorded COC on file.
A CDP may be required if you are proposing a non-like-for-like rebuild in the Coastal communities.
A CSD Modification may be required if you are proposing a non-like-for-like rebuild and the proposed rebuild does not meet the requirements of the CSD.
A CUP may be required if you are proposing a non-like-for-like rebuild and the proposed use is subject to a CUP in the zone where the property is located. California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review may be required as part of the CUP process.
Oak trees and other native species of trees are protected within LA County. A permit is normally required for development activities within the protected zone of these trees. Exceptions to the OTP requirements apply only to projects where a legally established structure was located within the protected zone of a protected tree on the day the structure was damaged or destroyed by a disaster, and no expansion is proposed within the tree’s protected zone.
A variance may be required if you are proposing a non-like-for-like rebuild and the proposed rebuild does not meet development standards, such as height, lot coverage, or parking.
The Road to Rebuilding
Learn how LA County coordinates with federal agencies to safely clean up after a fire.
Get tips for hiring design professionals and working with architects.
Learn about permit types and how to apply.
Pay fees, see if you need extra approvals and submit plans.
As you build, ensure your project meets building code undergoes periodic inspections.
Find out how to get a Certificate of Occupancy.
The Los Angeles County departments of Public Works, Planning, Public Health and Fire have contributed to this guide. To download a summary of this guide, please click here for English or here for Spanish.