Pre-Approved standard plans FOR FIRE REBUILDS
Homeowners looking for options to rebuild due to the Eaton and Palisades wildfires may be able to use a pre-approved standard plan. Pre-approved standard plans have been reviewed and pre-approved for compliance with the applicable zoning and building code requirements. Use of the plans will require site planning and additional site-specific details to complete the review process. An application and review by LA County Planning and LA County Building and Safety Division is required to complete the review process. Homeowners will need to contract with the design professional that created the plans to utilize them.
The benefits of using pre-approved plans include:
- Shortened review timeframe
- Predictable review process
- Reduced design cost
Currently, pre-approved plans can only be used for wildfire rebuilds in the Foothills and Coastal areas.
For Designers
Design professionals can submit designs for single-family residential units and accessory dwelling units (ADUs) for review to be included in the pre-approved standard plan catalog. These designs may be used for fire rebuilds in the Foothills or Coastal areas and should be designed accordingly. All plans will be reviewed for compliance with current Building, Residential, and Green Codes. Designs in the Coastal area are subject to the Santa Monica Mountains Local Implementation Program (LIP). Projects in the Foothills are subject to the Residential Design Standards, General Site Regulations, and Altadena Community Standards District (CSD). Once approved, homeowners will need to contract with you directly to use the pre-approved standard plan and complete the permitting process.
Note: Plans will require re-approval by the Building and Safety Division at the start of a new building code cycle. Plans will be removed from the catalog until they receive approval. A new building code cycle begins in 2026.
To learn more about the submittal process and requirements, please review the following checklist and instructions.
For Applicants
Property owners looking to rebuild after the fire disaster can utilize one of the pre-approved standard plans in the catalog below. Designs have been reviewed for compliance with either the requirements in the Foothills or Coastal area. To use the plans, contact the designer associated with the design to inquire about cost and contracting.
Although pre-approved standard plans are designed to current zoning regulations, in some cases, designs may qualify as a like-for-like rebuild. For more information, refer to the like-for-like rebuild requirements on the LA County Recovers page.
To submit for a rebuild using one of the pre-approved designs, please use the following checklist and instructions.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
- Every property is unique. A pre-approved design may not work for your property due to site-specific constraints. Verify with Planning and the Building and Safety Division the pre-approved design works for your property before you contract with a professional.
- All pre-approved standard plans require additional review by Planning and the Building and Safety Division before you can obtain building permits to begin construction.
- The pre-approval of a plan is not an endorsement by the County of the designer/firm or their ability to complete the work they contract to do. Applicants should do their own due diligence before entering into a contract with a professional.
- Designers own and are responsible for their design. You must contract with the design professional to use their pre-approved plans.
- Designs cannot be customized. If changes are made to a pre-approved plan, the submittal will be required to follow the general review process.
Resources
- Sample Pre-Approved Standard Plan (ADU)
- Summary: Pre-Approval Design Regulations (Foothills)
- Summary: Site Specific Design Regulations (Foothills)
- Summary: Pre-Approval Design Regulations (Coastal)
- Summary: Site Specific Design Regulations (Coastal)
- Eaton and Palisades Fire Rebuild Minimum Residential Submittal Requirements
- ADU Summary
Standard Plan Catalog
These designs have been pre-approved by Planning and the Building and Safety Division.
