Step 3: Start Your Permit Application
Once your plans have been prepared or you select a pre-approved plan, you can start your permit application. A streamlined permitting review process is offered to all fire rebuilds.
How to Apply
You can submit your application in person or online. 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. Note that additional review time may be required for Non-Like-for-like applications.
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.
Once your application has been assigned, staff will review your materials and invoice you before proceeding with review.
Online
We also accept online applications anytime through Electronic Permiting & Inspection Portal, or EPIC-LA.
If this is your first time using EPIC-LA, you will need to register to apply online and pay fees. Please read the registration instructions for more information. Read the add contact instructions if you need to add more people to access a case. *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 assigned, staff will review your materials and invoice you before proceeding with review.
Types of Applications
There are two types of applications that may be helpful in the rebuilding process.
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 whether you need an Oak Tree Permit (OTP).
Temporary Housing
If you lived on your property within 12 months prior to the fires and want to set up a recreational vehicle or mobile home, your application review will be expedited. You will need to submit a site plan showing the location and footprint of the temporary housing unit, as well as potable water, wastewater, and electrical connections. Applications will be processed over the counter at a One Stop Permit Center, or within 2 business days of online submittal. Learn more about temporary housing.
Rebuilds
Like-For-Like
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 rebuilds 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. These 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. 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 rebuilds. Properties with an existing septic system may be eligible for a Like-for-Like rebuilding if the number of bedrooms or bedroom equivalents remains unchanged.
Non-Like-for-Like
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 accessory dwelling unit, or ADU, before rebuilding 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.
After zoning review is completed, you can choose to get plans approved by Regional Planning and pause the process with the other County Departments, or you can choose to continue the process. When you are ready to continue with the process, the other County Departments will need more detailed architectural, structural, and energy plans, and they will need other information as you move through the process.
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.
Administrative Housing Permit
An Administrative Housing Permit may be required if you are proposing a non-like-for-like rebuild that includes income-restricted housing units.
Certificate of Compliance (COC)
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.
Coastal Development Permit (CDP)
A CDP may be required if you are proposing a non-like-for-like rebuild in the Coastal communities.
Community Standards District (CSD) Modification
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.
Conditional Use Permit (CUP)
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.
Variance
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.
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 certain 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.
Administrative Housing Permit
An Administrative Housing Permit may be required if you are proposing a non-like-for-like rebuild that includes income-restricted housing units.
Certificate of Compliance (COC)
A COC may be required to legalize the lot if you are proposing certain non-like-for-like rebuilds, such as an SB-9 project, and there is not already a recorded COC on file.
Coastal Development Permit (CDP)
A CDP may be required if you are proposing a non-like-for-like rebuild in the Coastal communities.
Community Standards District (CSD) Modification
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.
Conditional Use Permit (CUP)
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 Tree Permit (OTP)
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.
Variance
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.