Los Angeles County supervisors voted Tuesday to defer permit and inspection fees for residents rebuilding homes lost in the devastating Eaton and Palisades wildfires.
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More than 7,400 residential and commercial structures were decimated across unincorporated communities, according to a motion from Board Chair Kathryn Barger.
The financial losses were significant for property owners, who continue to face challenges by insurance companies moving at "glacial pace," the motion adds.
On May 27, the board ordered a study on deferring permit and inspection fees, which typically total $20,000 or more per homeowner. A report submitted by the CEO June 6 estimated fully waiving the fees could cost the county up to $140 million, though actual rebuild rates would likely bring the cost down to about $84 million.
The county does not have the capacity to absorb the costs of waiving all rebuilding and permitting fees, according to Tuesday's motion.
"Families who lost everything in these devastating wildfires deserve every opportunity to rebuild without being burdened by County fees," Barger said in a statement. "Today's unanimous vote is a clear statement that our Board stands with these residents. This action gives them the relief they urgently need while we identify the sources of funding that will permanently eliminate these costs."
The approved motion applies to homeowners in unincorporated areas who owned and occupied their homes before Jan. 7 and are submitting permit applications to rebuild single-family homes. Homeowners who already paid permit fees but meet the eligibility criteria can apply for a refund.
The CEO was directed to identify additional funding for the county to support homeowners.
The board also directed the Auditor-Controller and other relevant departments to assess departmental fee schedules that can be updated due to technological and policy advancements.
"By removing these fees, we're giving wildfire survivors a better chance to stay in their communities, rebuild their homes, and hold on to hope for the future," Barger said. "I'm confident that we'll identify long-term funding solutions to permanently waive these costs -- but finding that funding is the County's responsibility."
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