Residents urge council to waive building-permit surcharges after January wildfires

Dozens of residents impacted by the January wildfires told the City Council during public comment that permit surcharges, unclear rebuild rules and lack of insurance are preventing survivors from rebuilding and returning to their neighborhoods.

Speakers at the special session said many long-standing, often lower-value homes burned and that families with multigenerational ties to neighborhoods face economic barriers to reconstruction. "We have mortgages, rents, insurance shortfalls, destroyed personal property and a massive hole where our lives used to be," said Jessica Reyes, who identified herself as president of the Pacific Callacides Association. "That begins with all surcharges being waived." Reyes was among several commenters who urged full waivers of permit surcharges for fire survivors.

The plea for fee relief was echoed by multiple speakers. Kimberly Bloom, representing the Alphabeta Street block and the Palaces community council, said roughly 40% of her block survived but many longtime residents who bought homes in the 1960s cannot afford to rebuild. "We need help with permit surcharges, water and building permits," Bloom said. Laurie Cutzel and Oud Donald (president of the Pacifical Sales Homeowners Association) also asked the council to waive building fees and to provide clear limits on allowable reconstruction.

Speakers asked for three specific clarifications from the city: (1) whether permit surcharges would be waived for fire survivors; (2) what the city’s numerical thresholds mean for rebuilding (several speakers referenced a 10% rule but asked what counts toward that percentage); and (3) whether rebuilt houses would be insurable. Alexel Lora Paul Hill and others said many survivors lack insurance and that insurers have withdrawn coverage in the fire area.

Community advocates also asked the city to include anti–human trafficking protections in contracts for post-disaster recovery work. Paloma Bustos, associated with a traffic-advocacy initiative, urged the council to require contractors to train workers and include safeguards against labor exploitation, and to require anti-exploitation assurances in technical-assistance or contract language.

Councilmember Tracy Park thanked speakers and said the comments would inform follow-up work. Park closed the public-comment period and then proposed moving several consent items; the council proceeded with agenda business.

Ending: Commenters repeatedly emphasized that permit surcharges and unclear rebuilding guidance are immediate barriers to recovery. Council members acknowledged the concerns and directed staff follow-up during the briefing on post-fire infrastructure recovery that followed public comment.