Wednesday, April 9, 2025

LA County to Establish a Unified Permitting Authority to Expedite Eaton Recovery

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Tuesday approved a motion aimed at accelerating rebuilding efforts in Altadena following the Eaton Fire, which destroyed more than 7,000 structures.

Introduced by Supervisors Kathryn Barger and Lindsey Horvath, the motion calls for the creation of a Unified Permitting Authority (UPA) within the Altadena One-Stop Recovery Permitting Center to expedite the residential rebuilding process.

“I’ve been keeping a close eye on the County’s One-Stop Permitting Shop and to be candid — I’m not satisfied with the pace,” Barger said in a statement. “No rebuild permits have been issued in Altadena and that’s unacceptable. Today’s motion will cut through the red tape to get my Altadena constituents back on track to rebuilding faster. We don’t have time to waste.”

According to Barger, the UPA will be empowered to make final permitting decisions across departments, resolve regulatory conflicts in real time and eliminate bottlenecks that have stalled recovery efforts.

Regional Planning, Public Works, Fire and Public Health — the key county departments involved in approving rebuilding plans — will be required to assign senior-level liaisons to the One-Stop Center.

In addition, the motion includes increased performance monitoring to ensure greater accountability.

“Helping our communities recover swiftly and effectively from this year’s devastating fires is Los Angeles County’s highest priority,” Horvath said in a statement.

“We must ensure the rebuilding process is not only fast and efficient but also equitable and accessible for every resident. The Calabasas One- Stop Permitting Center, created in the wake of the Woolsey Fire, stands as a proven model of what’s possible when we prioritize people over red tape. I’m committed to enhancing this approach and bringing the same level of responsive support to our neighbors in Altadena.”