The fire that tore through Altadena in January 2025 became the fifth deadliest and second most destructive wildfire in California’s recorded history. Known as the Eaton Fire, it destroyed more than 9,000 structures, particularly affecting the Altadena community in the San Gabriel Valley. If you suffered property damage or lost your home in the Altadena fire, use these tips to help you rebuild.
Get In-Person Help With Permitting
Permitting is one of the most time-consuming aspects of rebuilding your home after a wildfire. You must wait for all of the required permit applications to be reviewed, approved and issued before building can begin.
After the firestorm of last January, local governments issued building permits at a record pace, around three times faster than average. This was due to regulatory changes in Los Angeles County motivated by fire damage, which made pulling permits speedier on many projects.
LA County has a physical center where you can visit and receive information, resources and help regarding building permits in person. You can visit the Altadena One-Stop Permit Center at 464 W. Woodbury Road, Suite 210, Altadena, CA 91001 for assistance.
Pull Permits Faster for a Like-for-Like Rebuild
Like-for-like rebuilds qualify for faster permitting in Altadena. Under the LA County Zoning Code, a like-for-like rebuild is a construction project that rebuilds a new structure of the same size, location and purpose as the destroyed structure. If this is the type of rebuild you seek, you can have your permits reviewed and approved faster than other projects.
In the area affected by the Eaton Fire, like-for-like replacement structures cannot have modifications that increase the size of the building by more than 10 percent or 200 square feet, whichever is greater. Non-like-for-like rebuilds will take longer, as they must pass through the Altadena Community Standards District.
See if You Qualify for Financial Aid or Relief
Some wildfire survivors in Altadena may qualify for financial relief through property tax breaks and mortgage forbearances. Assembly Bill (AB) 238 specifically helps those who suffered financial hardship from the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfire disaster by providing up to 12 months of mortgage forbearance to borrowers.
AB 245 gives homeowners and businesses more time to rebuild their homes without triggering a property tax increase. AB 338 provides wildfire recovery funding to support rebuilding efforts in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. Finally, Senate Bills 495 and 547 help ensure adequate insurance coverage on personal property repairs in wildfire-affected areas.
Download LA County Recovers’ Rebuild Guide
For step-by-step instructions on how to rebuild your home or property after suffering wildfire damage, download the free rebuild guide offered by LA County Recovers. This gives you a checklist of how to rebuild, from removing fire-damaged debris and preparing blueprints to navigating the stages of construction.
Contact an Eaton Fire Lawyer for Assistance
The Eaton Fire left thousands of families displaced from their homes in Altadena and unsure of how to begin the process of rebuilding. If you are feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of repairing or rebuilding your home, contact a local Eaton Fire attorney for immediate assistance.
A lawyer will help you understand the steps it takes to begin a rebuild, as well as explore all options available for you to make a financial recovery. An attorney may also offer to represent you in a lawsuit seeking financial damages from Southern California Edison (SCE), the utility company found to be responsible for the Eaton Fire.
For more fire recovery resources and information in Altadena, visit the LA County Recovers website or contact Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian for a free wildfire case consultation.