Fire Recovery 101: City of Malibu – Special Planning Commission Meeting – Jan 20, 2025
The City of Malibu hosted a special meeting of the Planning Commission to review proposed updates to the Planning Review process for Palisades Fire rebuilds. Information was presented by Tyler Eaton, the Principal Planner at the Malibu Planning Department.
GOVERNOR’S EXECUTIVE ORDER
The Governor’s Order N-20-25 suspended otherwise required CEQA and Coastal Commission permitting and review for the following:
- Structures rebuilt in substantially the same location
- Structures that do not exceed 110% of the footprint (this is not floor area!) or height
- Supportive infrastructure for rebuild (foundations, utilities, driveways)
CITY OF MALIBU SPECIFIC PLANNING UPDATES
For Palisades Fire burn properties only (these do not apply to victims of older disasters):
Primary Development Footprint: Defined as the main building pad which supported the primary building. For beachfront properties, decks that were attached to the primary building shall be included in the primary development footprint if replaced with another deck.
Exemptions from Coastal Development Permit review for the following:
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Mechanized equipment on the beach or shoring necessary for construction
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Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) within primary development area footprint
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New structures necessary for replacement structure: Foundations, driveways, utilities, etc.
De Minimis Waiver from Coastal Development Permit:
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New seawalls needed to protect OWTS
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Height increases beyond 110% of existing up to 24′ (flat roof)/28′ (pitched roof) as measured from center of PCH – as needed to meet FEMA requirements (*** This height is still being considered and may actually be raised higher)
Also:
Administrative plan reviews do not need to be issued for rebuilds
New seawalls do not need a Site Plan Review
The takeaway? Malibu learned a lot from the past fires, where properties are still not rebuilt, and are working to ensure that doesn’t happen for the Palisades Fire burn properties by clearing the hurdles to recovery.
The entire session can be watched on the City’s YouTube channel, HERE.
