Rebuilding After the Palisades and Altadena Fires: What Homeowners Need to Know

Moving forward after the fires

The recent wildfires in Pacific Palisades and Altadena have left a lasting impact on hundreds of homeowners and communities. As families begin the difficult process of rebuilding, one of the most important questions is: What is required to start reconstruction — and how can we rebuild safely and quickly?

At Moment Engineering, we're helping residents and property owners navigate the engineering and permitting requirements so they can move forward with confidence.

Understanding "like-for-like" rebuilds in Los Angeles

The City of Los Angeles has taken action to support fire-impacted homeowners by streamlining permitting for certain rebuilds. If you're planning to rebuild your home with minimal changes, your project may qualify for an expedited process.

According to LADBS, a "like-for-like" rebuild means reconstructing in approximately the same location as the original structure, keeping the same occupancy and use, and not increasing the floor area, height, or building footprint by more than 10%. This policy is intended to help property owners rebuild quickly while ensuring safety and compliance.

When a soils report is required — and when plans are not

One key advantage of qualifying for a "like-for-like" rebuild is that you may only be required to submit a soils (geotechnical) report, rather than a full architectural plan set.

Soils report: still required. Even under the expedited process, the city requires a current soils report to assess slope stability, foundation safety, and post-fire subsurface conditions. This is especially critical in hillside areas like the Palisades and Altadena, where wildfire can destabilize soil and increase erosion or landslide risk.

Plans: possibly not required. If your project meets the "like-for-like" criteria and you're not proposing significant structural or layout changes, you may not need to submit a full architectural plan set. However, this is determined case-by-case by LADBS — verify early to avoid delays.

Even when a soils report isn't strictly required, it's worth getting one. It tells you what's really on site — soil type, hidden fill, moisture and groundwater, and how much weight the soil can safely support — and then gives clear instructions for foundations, slabs, retaining-wall backfill, and drainage. It reduces change orders, speeds inspections, supports permits and insurance, and gives confidence to lenders and future buyers.

What our engineering team can help with

Moment Engineering provides full-service geotechnical and civil support for rebuilds:

• Geotechnical investigations and LADBS soils reports
• Drainage and grading plans to prevent post-fire flooding
• Retaining wall and slope stabilization design
• Civil plan coordination for erosion control, utilities, and access roads
• Coordination with LADBS, LA County, and city agencies

Working on a project in Southern California? We can handle the engineering.

Your next steps (like-for-like)

1. Confirm eligibility with LADBS for a "like-for-like" rebuild
2. Schedule a site assessment for your required soils report
3. Develop any required grading or drainage plans
4. Submit to LADBS for review and clearance

If you're uncertain about what your property needs, we offer consultations to guide you through your specific case.

Rebuilding with changes: what disqualifies a like-for-like rebuild

Many property owners may choose this opportunity to expand, redesign, or upgrade their homes. Your rebuild will not qualify as like-for-like if you are increasing the floor area, height, or footprint by more than 10%, changing the occupancy or use, relocating the structure significantly, making substantial layout or structural changes, or building new accessory structures like ADUs, detached garages, or pools.

Full permitting process for modified rebuilds

If your rebuild does not meet the "like-for-like" definition, you'll go through the standard LADBS plan check process. Here's what to expect:

Step 1 — Preliminary site evaluation. Engage a licensed civil and geotechnical firm to assess the site, especially for hillside or slope conditions, post-fire erosion, and drainage.

Step 2 — Prepare required reports and plans. You'll need a geotechnical report, topographic survey, grading and drainage plans, structural plans, architectural plans, erosion control and stormwater management plans, and Title 24 energy compliance. Hillside properties may also require a slope stability analysis, retaining wall design, and Urban Forestry review.

Step 3 — Submit to LADBS for plan check. Your project goes through review by Building and Safety, Grading Division, Bureau of Engineering, Planning, and the Fire Department. Expect multiple rounds with possible comments.

Step 4 — Obtain approvals and permits. Once all departments sign off, LADBS issues your building permits and you can schedule inspections and begin construction.

Timeline: Modified rebuilds can take 3 to 6+ months to get approved depending on complexity. Starting early with a qualified team reduces delays significantly.

How we help with modified rebuilds

At Moment Engineering, we support clients through the entire rebuild process — from site assessment to final permit sign-off:

• Complete geotechnical investigations and reports
• Grading and drainage plans for hillside or sloped lots
• Retaining wall design and slope stabilization
• Civil plan sets for submittal to LADBS

Related Service

Soils Reports & Geotechnical Investigation

We handle this for projects across Southern California.