T
he city of Los Angeles has issued its first four permits to rebuild homes in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood that were destroyed or damaged by January's devastating wildfires. This milestone comes as residents begin preparing their properties for reconstruction, with some sharing their experiences on social media.

    To start rebuilding, contractors must clear the lot, removing at least 6 inches of topsoil within the ash boundary where the fire burned the structure itself. This is crucial not just for cleanup but also to lay the foundation for rebuilding.

    Permits are required for any home to be rebuilt, and local leaders have criticized the slow pace of the permitting process. Mayor Karen Bass has issued executive orders aimed at streamlining the process, including establishing a debris-removal task force and waiving local discretionary review processes.

    As of last week, 72 property owners had submitted rebuilding applications to the city, while another 135 had applied to the L.A. County Department of Public Works for rebuilding in unincorporated areas affected by the fires. However, about 1,000 property owners have not opted in or out of the government-run debris-removal initiative.

    The cleared plot of land must then be graded to create a surface suitable for construction. Residents and politicians have expressed concerns about the pace of the rebuilding process, with some calling it "concerning" that only four permits had been issued over two months after the fires.

    Before any construction can begin, homeowners must have all debris cleared from their lots. For Palisades residents, this is free through a federal program, but they must opt in by completing a Right of Entry form. The process involves identifying and removing hazardous waste and clearing ash and contaminated soil.