Palisades fire victims will see building permit fee relief during recovery

"On a 15-0 vote, the council instructed the city's lawyers to draft an ordinance that would spare the owners of homes, duplexes, condominium units, apartment complexes and commercial buildings from having to pay the permit fees that are typically charged by the Department of Building and Safety during the recovery. Forfeiting those fees is expected to cost as much as $90 million over three years, according to Matt Szabo, the city's top budget analyst."

"Bart Young, whose home was destroyed in the fire, told council members his insurance company will cover only half the cost of rebuilding. "I'm living on Social Security. I've lost everything," he said. "I'm not asking for special treatment. I'm asking for something fair, and with some compassion." The ordinance must come back for another council vote later this year. Bass first announced her support for the permit fee waivers in April, as part of her State of the City address."

Los Angeles City Council voted 15-0 to direct city lawyers to draft an ordinance waiving building permit fees for owners of homes, duplexes, condominium units, apartment complexes and commercial buildings during the Palisades fire recovery. The fee waivers are expected to cost as much as $90 million over three years, according to the city's top budget analyst, Matt Szabo. Mayor Karen Bass previously signed emergency orders suspending the fees and announced support for the relief. Some council members expressed concern that the program could divert funding from core city services. The ordinance must return for another council vote later this year. Fire victims reported severe financial hardship and urgency to rebuild.

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