Malibu leaders, residents push for rebuild manager and neighborhood representatives to speed post‑fire rebuilding

At a special meeting April 3, 2025, the Malibu City Council and dozens of residents discussed creating a dedicated rebuild manager and neighborhood representatives to coordinate permitting and technical reviews for homes lost in the recent fire.

Residents and volunteer organizers told the council the current process is producing avoidable delays and inconsistent requirements — particularly for Big Rock beachside properties — and urged a single point of coordination to facilitate workshops, reduce redundant reviews and surface policy issues that should go to council.

Why it matters: Residents said administrative friction, repeated geotechnical requests, and new coastal guidance on sea level rise are stalling rebuilds and increasing costs. Council members and staff said a focused program of community workshops and clearer rules could shorten permitting time and reduce appeals.

The discussion and public comments Residents and volunteer leaders described a mix of technical and administrative bottlenecks. Speakers raised three recurrent concerns: (1) repeated or inconsistent geotechnical and survey requests for properties whose foundations survived the fire; (2) uncertainty about whether and when septic systems must be replaced; and (3) how coastal engineering studies and sea‑level rise guidance should be applied to wastewater…