Wednesday, December 3, 2025

L.A. County to Issue First Certificate of Occupancy for Rebuilt Eaton Fire Home

Los Angeles County officials will issue the first certificate of occupancy for a rebuilt home destroyed in the Eaton Fire, marking a milestone in recovery efforts for the Altadena community. A media event Wednesday afternoon will highlight the achievement.

The certificate will be presented to homeowner and Eaton Fire survivor Ted Koerner, whose rebuilt residence is the first primary home completed since the wildfire. Koerner will be joined by his faithful 13-year-old dog, Daisy May, as county leaders recognize the progress made in returning residents to their properties.

Joining Barger at the event will be Mark Pestrella, director of Los Angeles County Public Works, and Amy J. Bodek, director of the Department of Regional Planning. Officials will sign the certificate of occupancy at site.

Koerner’s residence is a one-story, 2,160-square-foot single-family house featuring three bedrooms, two bathrooms, an attached garage, and a patio trellis. The completion of the structure represents a significant step in the county’s rebuilding efforts and underscores Barger’s commitment to helping Altadena residents restore their lives after the devastation of the Eaton Fire.

The milestone highlights the county’s broader recovery initiative, which has focused on rebuilding homes and infrastructure lost to wildfire. For Altadena residents, the issuance of the first certificate of occupancy signals tangible progress toward community restoration.

Wednesday’s event is intended to showcase both the resilience of fire survivors and the county’s role in supporting their return. Officials said that the rebuilt home stands as a symbol of recovery for the neighborhood and a reminder of the importance of coordinated rebuilding efforts.

The Eaton Fire left lasting impacts on Altadena, but the completion of Koerner’s home demonstrates that recovery is underway, they said.