Public survivors press council to waive Palisades rebuilding fees; council sends item 30 forthwith
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Summary
Hundreds of Palisades fire survivors and residents urged the Los Angeles City Council to waive plan and permit fees after the January fire, and the council agreed to send item 30 'forthwith' for expedited consideration. Final approval of waivers was not recorded in the transcript.
Dozens of residents who lost homes in the Palisades fire urged the Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday to approve a plan to waive permits and plan fees, telling members the financial burden is blocking neighborhood recovery.
Mark Smith, who said he lost his home in the fire, told the council, "This isn't about revenue to the city. This is about humanity, equity, and the opportunity to do what you know is ethically and morally right." Tom Doran, another survivor, said, "Waiving these fees isn't charity, it's justice." Many others described underinsurance, fixed incomes and mounting rebuild costs.
The appeals centered on item 30 on the council agenda, a set of proposed permit and plan fee waivers tied to the Budget and Finance Committee's recommendation (referred to by supporters as 'Option 3'). Speakers argued the waivers would speed recovery, restore the tax base and help preserve rent‑stabilized housing. Multiple commenters referenced the CAO's fiscal analysis and urged the council to weigh long‑term economic gains from rebuilding alongside short‑term revenue impacts.
Council business later advanced the item administratively: the council directed that item 30 be transmitted 'forthwith' for further processing and consideration (the clerk recorded that items 12, 14 and 30 would go forthwith). The transcript does not record a final vote or adoption of fee waivers during this session.
City staff and councilmembers acknowledged competing priorities and the need for guardrails. Councilmember Rodriguez introduced an amendment to require reimbursement to the city if owners sell before receiving a certificate of occupancy; other members sought exemptions for condos and townhomes. Advocates urged the council to expand eligibility to include multi‑family and mobile home parks.
Next steps: item 30 was sent forthwith and will return to the council process with amendments and staff follow up. The transcript does not record the council adopting a wholesale fee waiver during this meeting.