Friday, March 13, 2026

County Proposes Temporary RV Living Option for Eaton Fire Survivors in Altadena

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

The Altadena Town Council will hear a proposal on March 17 that would allow some fire survivors to temporarily live in recreational vehicles parked in public rights of way

The Altadena Town Council meeting on March 17 is scheduled to hear a proposal that would allow some Eaton Fire survivors in Altadena to temporarily live in recreational vehicles parked in public rights of way while rebuilding their homes.

The proposal, detailed in a memo prepared by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works and several partner agencies, comes in response to a policy motion introduced last month by Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger.

Public Works worked alongside the County’s departments of Regional Planning, Public Health, Fire, the Sheriff’s Department and County Counsel to develop a framework intended to provide displaced residents with a temporary housing option when placing an RV on their own property is not feasible.

Under the proposed guidelines, eligibility would be limited to verified Eaton Fire survivors who can provide proof they were displaced by the disaster. Applicants would also be required to have a valid building permit, demonstrating they are actively rebuilding their homes.

The proposal would allow eligible residents to park and temporarily live in street-legal RVs that are fully self-contained, meaning they must have their own power, water and sewage systems.

County officials said the RVs could not be placed on fire debris and would need to meet safety requirements designed to ensure public access and neighborhood safety.

Applicants would be required to submit a site plan showing that the RV’s placement would not block emergency vehicle access, obstruct pedestrian pathways or create visibility hazards at street intersections.

Permits issued under the program would last six months and could be renewed twice, allowing a maximum stay of 18 months while rebuilding efforts are underway.

The County also plans to require continuous sewage disposal service for RVs permitted under the program. Officials said any lapse in service could result in the permit being revoked.

Permits would be non-transferable and subject to regular inspections to ensure compliance with the program’s requirements.

County officials say the proposed rules are designed to provide flexibility for fire survivors while maintaining public health and safety standards in residential neighborhoods.

Barger praised the collaborative effort among County departments to create the proposal.

“I appreciate the thoughtful work our Public Works Department and partner County Departments have put into this framework,” Barger said. “Eaton Fire survivors deserve practical, compassionate solutions as they work to rebuild their lives and their community. I support a balanced approach that helps the County deliver real relief while keeping our neighborhoods safe and our recovery efforts on track.”

Residents will have the opportunity to provide feedback before any final decisions are made.