• LA County Public Works Hotline: 844-347-3332

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Rebuild Policies, Interpretations and Exemptions

This page serves as a resource for the latest updates and information related to rebuilding policies and procedures per County and state regulations. Use this page as a central hub for finding County department memos and documents – and learn how they affect your home rebuilding process.

LA County’s Eaton Fire Disaster Interim Ordinance applies to properties that suffered irreparable damage or destruction in the unincorporated areas affected by the Eaton Fire.  It eases development restrictions and allows for disaster recovery by:

  • Providing more flexibility for disaster rebuild projects.
  • Establishing a framework to allow certain temporary uses that support disaster recovery.
  • Establishing a Disaster Recovery Permit for disaster rebuild projects that includes reduced fees and a streamlined procedure to modify certain development standards, subject to public noticing.

SCE Targeted Undergrounding Guidance: Southern California Edison (SCE) is planning to underground power lines in parts of Los Angeles County. Whether you are rebuilding, replacing the electrical panel on your existing home, or adding a service panel, if your home is in an area where undergrounding is planned, there are steps you need to take now to prepare.  Preparing now can save you significant time and expense once SCE begins undergrounding in your area.

Executive Order N-29-25: This executive order suspends rooftop solar and battery storage installation requirements and the 2025 California Building Standards Code for rebuilding of structures impacted by the January 2025 Eaton Fire and Palisades Fire.

California Energy Code Update: California has a diversity of climates not seen in other states, and the statewide provisions adopted into the California Energy Code account for these variations using a set of sixteen climate zones. Several efficiency standards, such as those for envelope and fenestration (window and door) materials, depend on the specific climate zone that the building is located. It’s important for builders to know which climate zones apply to their projects.

For unincorporated Los Angeles County, the Altadena zip codes 91001 and 91003 have been designated as Climate Zone 9 for the purpose of rebuilding.

To learn more about Climate Zone and search by location, visit California Energy Commission.

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs): An accessory dwelling unit, or ADU, is a unit with a full kitchen and bathroom that is accessory to a primary residence. Also called a granny flat or second unit, it can be located on a property with a home or apartment building. It can also be detached or attached. ADUs usually cost less than building a new home and homeowners can offer them as rental housing. They also provide living space for family members or caregivers on the same property. A junior ADU, or JADU, is like an ADU but its maximum size is 500 square feet. The JADU also has to be within the main home and have its own exterior access. Learn about the requirements for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and junior accessory dwelling units (JADUs).

Common Errors and Omissions: Learn about the common errors and omissions on rebuilding applications for different County departments.

Agency Referral Sheet (Eaton Fire): Learn about the required clearances for your project during the permitting process. This document is specific to those rebuilding after the Eaton Fire.

Septic to Sewer: This guideline helps determine when it is appropriate to use the existing septic system and when it is required to connect to the public sewer. Sewer pipe cannot cross a neighboring property line when connecting to a public sewer.

Department of Regional Planning Memos and Additional Resources: