Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Temporary Housing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County proposes temporary on‑street RV permits for fire survivors; council raises safety and enforcement concerns
Summary
LA County public works proposed an 18-month, permit-based program allowing eligible Eaton Fire survivors to station self-contained, street-legal RVs in front of their lots during rebuilding; council members and residents voiced worries about congestion, enforcement capacity, and impacts on narrow streets.
LA County deputy director Steve Burgerer presented a proposal March 17 to allow temporary on-street housing in Altadena for original Eaton Fire survivors who are actively rebuilding.
Under the draft program described to the Altadena Town Council, permits would be limited to street-legal manufactured homes, mobile homes or RVs positioned in front of the owner's lot, tied to an active building permit, and issued for six-month terms that may be renewed for up to 18 months total. The county proposed a review process that would screen for safety concerns such as high-speed streets, narrow corridors that impede first-responder access, and sites where placement would create traffic or ADA obstructions.
Burgerer said units must be fully self-contained: permitted pump-out service for waste tanks, on-board water storage or engineered connections that do not impede sidewalks, and either carefully designed underground electrical service or generator/battery systems that run only during permitted construction hours. Permits would include plate and placard identifiers and be coordinated with sheriff parking enforcement; county staff reserve the right to revoke permits for noncompliance.
Council members asked detailed operational questions about permit issuance, revocation criteria, whether permits would be issued on issuance or submittal of a building permit, availability through the county one-stop rebuild shop, and how neighbors could report violations. Council Member Vega said the plan risks inviting nonresidents and would strain sheriff and public-works resources. Vice Chair Marona and others stressed the importance of strong community input before finalizing any program.
The county emphasized the program would be limited and tailored: only for original fire survivors who still own the lot and have active permits, and not intended as a blanket allowance for transient RV use. Burgerer asked the council and community for feedback and said the county would publish proposed guidelines and a contact email for public comment.
Ending: The council signaled it will collect community input during general public comment and that any final proposal should address enforcement resources, narrow-street constraints and coordination with public-safety agencies before approval.
