Malibu staff reports progress on Palisades fire rebuilds but backlog remains
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Summary
City staff and residents said rebuilding has accelerated after the Palisades fire: staff reported hundreds of applications and permits in various stages, while resident advocates urged council action to fast‑track plan checks to help displaced families return home.
City staff and community volunteers told the Planning Commission on Nov. 17 that rebuild work after this year’s Palisades fire is moving but remains behind.
At the meeting Jo (Joe) Drummond, representing resident rebuild interests, said: “As of this week, 16 new rebuild permits have been issued for the Palisade fire,” and asked the commission to recommend that the City Council prioritize moving remaining rebuild projects from building and safety into plan check so families can return home sooner.
Associate planner Larbi Azaz provided a detailed status update. He reported that roughly 465 homes were destroyed in the fire and that about 375 single‑family residence applications had been submitted, which he described as roughly 81% of the total affected homes. Azaz outlined project stages on 11/17/2025: a subset of applications remained pending planning approval, some were in building plan check, others had building permits issued, and a portion had reached certificate of occupancy. He said staff had issued several hundred building permits and dozens of planning entitlements to date and that the city’s rebuild center and design‑professional meetings continue to accelerate permit processing.
Staff also noted practical supports and outreach: scheduled design‑professional meetings (Dec. 3, Dec. 10 and Dec. 17) and ongoing zone‑captain meetings that city staff credited with accelerating permit progress. Separately, staff warned applicants to be alert for a scam email (moniker ‘usa.com’) purporting to request payment for planning fees; staff directed residents to use the City’s official domain (malibucity.org) and to contact case planners with concerns.
Commissioners asked about the share of projects submitted by new owners and about steps staff is taking to shorten plan‑check time. Staff said some projects are changed in ownership and that staff continues to work directly with homeowners to move applications forward.
The update concluded with staff inviting commissioners and the public to design‑professional sessions and zone meetings as a pathway to speed reviews and reduce the backlog.
