Free Rebuild Permits: How to Claim the Fire Zone Permit Fee Waiver (And What It Doesn't Cover)
Under Mayor Bass's Emergency Executive Order No. 7, permit fees are waived for properties that were owner-occupied before January 7, 2025. We explain how to qualify, what fees are included, and the January 2032 deadline you cannot miss.
Permit fees for a full home rebuild and ADU in Pacific Palisades can total $6,000–$26,000 or more. Under EO No. 7, all of that is waived for qualifying homeowners. Here is exactly how to claim it.
What Is EO No. 7?
Mayor Karen Bass's Emergency Executive Order No. 7, signed in January 2025, suspends collection of building permit fees for qualifying Palisades and Eaton fire rebuild homeowners. The order applies to LADBS building permit fees, plan check fees, and related city processing fees for qualifying reconstruction projects.
The waiver was designed to reduce the financial burden on homeowners who are already facing the enormous cost of rebuilding after a total loss — on top of insurance gaps, temporary housing costs, and the personal toll of displacement.
Who Qualifies
To qualify for the EO No. 7 fee waiver, you must meet all three of the following conditions:
You held ownership of the property on or before January 7, 2025 — the date the Palisades fire began. Properties purchased after this date do not qualify for the waiver.
The property was your primary residence or owner-occupied at the time of the fire. Investment properties, rental properties, and vacant lots that were not owner-occupied do not qualify under the standard waiver provisions.
You obtain your building permit by January 13, 2032. This is the absolute deadline. Permits issued after this date — regardless of when you started the application — do not qualify for waived fees.
What Fees Are Waived
| Fee type | Typical amount | Waived under EO No. 7? |
|---|---|---|
| LADBS building permit fee | $3,000–$12,000 | Yes — waived |
| Plan check fee | $1,500–$6,000 | Yes — waived |
| Grading permit fee | $800–$3,000 | Yes — waived |
| ADU permit fee | $2,000–$8,000 | Yes — waived |
| Coastal Commission CDP fee | $2,000–$5,000 | Yes — waived for fire-affected Coastal Zone properties |
| Inspection fees | $500–$2,000 | Yes — waived |
| School fees (SB 50) | $3–$4 per sq ft | Not waived — standard rate applies |
| Utility connection fees | Varies by utility | Not waived — set by utilities independently |
| Soils/geology report | $4,000–$12,000 | Not waived — private professional cost |
Fees are approximate ranges based on typical Palisades project sizes. Actual fee amounts depend on project valuation, square footage, and scope. The waiver covers city-administered fees only.
How to Apply for the Waiver
The fee waiver does not apply automatically — you must affirmatively apply for it at the time of your permit submission. Here is how:
- 1
Prepare documentation of pre-fire ownership — a copy of your deed, title insurance policy, or property tax records showing your ownership as of January 7, 2025.
- 2
Prepare documentation of owner-occupancy — utility bills, homeowner's insurance declarations, or voter registration records showing the property was your primary residence at the time of the fire.
- 3
Submit the fee waiver application alongside your building permit application at the LADBS fire rebuild permitting center. Do not wait — the waiver is applied at the time of permit issuance and does not apply retroactively to fees already paid.
- 4
Your contractor should handle this submission as part of the permit application package. Confirm before engagement that your contractor knows the current waiver application process and includes it in their standard rebuild workflow.
What the Waiver Doesn't Cover — Planning for Remaining Costs
While the fee waiver covers most city-administered fees, several significant rebuild costs are not covered and should be budgeted separately:
School fees (SB 50): Approximately $3.50–$4.00 per square foot of new habitable space. On a 3,000 sq ft rebuild, this is $10,500–$12,000. Not waived.
Utility reconnection fees: Water, sewer, gas, and electrical connections are set by the respective utilities and are not part of the city fee waiver. Budget $3,000–$8,000 depending on the extent of utility damage and reconnection required.
Soils and geology reports: Required for most hillside Palisades lots. Typically $4,000–$12,000 from a licensed geotechnical engineer. This is a private professional cost — not a city fee — and is not waived.
HOA application and review fees: If your property is in the Riviera HOA or another community association, their architectural review fees are separate from city permits and are not covered by EO No. 7.
We include the EO No. 7 waiver application in every fire rebuild permit submission for qualifying homeowners. Free consultation, no obligation. CSLB License #982386.