Malibu officials say rebuild pipeline is moving; 30 planning approvals and 3 projects near building permits

City Manager and Community Development Director Yolanda Bundy briefed the council on July 14 about Malibu’s post‑Palisades fire rebuild efforts and regional coordination.

The city manager said the governor signed an executive order to streamline rebuilding in affected communities, suspending certain building code requirements for homes rebuilding after the wildfire but requiring homes to be built "solar‑ready." Director Bundy explained what the state’s solar‑ready requirement means for homeowners: an electrical panel sized to allow future solar installation and a designated roof zone for solar equipment.

On debris removal and rebuild center operations, Bundy said the Army Corps and state collaboration cleaned up about 480 residential properties that opted into the federal removal program, with 185 opt‑outs and eight nonresponsive properties under abatement. City staff reported the city has processed 30 planning approvals for homes, 51 applications under review and six properties in building plan check; staff said three properties were very close to receiving building permits and ribbon‑cuttings for construction starts could occur within weeks.

Bundy also described outreach measures — including a homeowner survey and monthly rebuild workshops — and technology efforts to speed reconstruction, such as collaboration on regional plan‑check platforms and using tools to coordinate regional rebuild activities.

Council thanked staff for the updates and encouraged continued outreach, and staff said they would return with further details on coordination with the state and regional permitting tools.