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It’s been six months since the devastating January wildfires in Los Angeles County displaced nearly 13,000 households—and the latest update proves just how slow the permit process can be.
A recent Los Angeles Times report detailed the rebuilding efforts that are currently underway, reporting that over 800 homeowners have now applied for permits. That number barely scratches the surface of the full rebuild process, since permits are only the first step in a complex and often emotionally draining journey back to normalcy. But it’s definitely an improvement from the four permits approved in March.
While some homeowners have finally started rebuilding, hundreds of others are waiting in the wings, and understanding the nuances of the permit process—both in L.A. and around the country—shines a light as to why.
In Los Angeles, permits offer hope—but progress remains slow
In Los Angeles’ permitting system, there are frequently layers of red tape.
“The permit is only the beginning—it’s just the green light to get started,” explains Brock Harris, a Los Angeles real estate agent who’s working with developers on rebuilding efforts.
Applications go through regional planning, building and safety, and often involve the fire department and public works.
Permits from both the city and the county are required, making the process doubly challenging.
In addition, property owners often need several permits—not just for the main building but also for things like demolition, electrical systems, and swimming pools.
To streamline the process, officials have fast-tracked some applications.
In fact, Jason Somers, president of Crest Real Estate, tells the L.A. Times, “They are getting us permits quicker than we’ve ever seen before.”
However, others are stalled by backlogs, code compliance reviews, or zoning issues.
As actress Mandy Moore explained when she posted on Instagram, “Thanks, LA County for making it as frustrating and impossible to rebuild after the fires as possible. Shouldn’t be surprised but it’s mind-boggling the red tape and hoops they’re putting us all through.”
Homeowner Roberto Covarrubias feels Moore’s pain, telling the L.A. Times that officials haven’t delivered on their promises to make the process as fast as possible.
His project is still stuck in the permitting pipeline, and his insurance company won’t release his payout until his rebuild permits are fully approved.
But even permit approval doesn’t guarantee immediate construction.
How long it takes to rebuild after a home burns down
While timelines vary, most homeowners are looking at a 12- to 36-month process to rebuild, on average.
Filing an insurance claim: It typically takes one to three weeks to begin the process, but it can take months for a full payout.
“The amount of time until a claim is settled will vary depending on where you live, if the damage was caused by a widespread disaster, and who your insurer is,” says Melanie Musson, a home insurance expert with Clearsurance.com.
Debris removal and environmental testing: This can take 3 to 12 months. The first cleanup phase to remove household hazardous waste is led by the government. In the second cleanup phase to remove ash and other debris, property owners can opt into the free government debris-removal program or hire a contractor. Environment testing may be required for soil and air quality. All remaining fire debris and structural remains must then be removed by licensed professionals. Building permits can’t be issued before a final clearance is completed.
Planning and design: This typically takes 3 to 6 months. Some homeowners are using “like-for-like” rebuilds (which are the same size with limited upgrades) to accelerate the process, but that limits design flexibility. If a homeowner wants a new custom design, they must hire an architect or a designer to create plans that are code-compliant.
Permitting: The permitting process typically takes 3 to 6 months.
“Permitting can take less than three months, depending on your local ordinances and procedures for permitting, but it’s likely to take six months if the city or county inspectors are backed up,” says Musson.
Construction: Rebuilding times can range from 12 to 24 months.
“Rebuild time will take longer in hard-hit regions because of the high demand for materials and laborers,” says Musson. “If a whole neighborhood needs to be rebuilt, your home may not be finished for two years. If your home is the only one destroyed by fire, the rebuilding process will likely take a year or less.”
Some insurers will only cover temporary housing for a limited time, which adds even more urgency to the rebuild. The entire process often takes a psychological toll—and a financial toll as well.
Southern California contractor Bar Zakheim, the CEO of Better Place Design & Build, says, “The thing that has really surprised most homeowners is just how expensive the whole process is. There just isn’t enough labor or materials to keep up with demand. This isn’t just creating delays for people. In many cases, people simply can’t afford to rebuild even with full insurance payouts and are being forced to sell out and relocate.”
Permits are just Step 1—labor shortages and tariffs slow everything else
In today’s climate, actually rebuilding the home is the biggest challenge on the horizon.
Even once permits are issued, finding a contractor is incredibly difficult in Los Angeles right now.
The local construction industry is being impacted by worker shortages, ICE raids targeting undocumented labor, and tariffs on materials—especially lumber, steel, and fixtures.
“Finding contractors and quality workers is 10 times harder since the wildfires and the ICE raids,” says Harris. “We already had a labor shortage before this, and it’s made a very bad problem much worse.”
Costs are up, availability is down, and timelines are long—with some homeowners reportedly waiting 6 to 12 months just to secure a builder who can even start their job.
“With 800 job sites about to start work, there’s going to be a definite shortage, and that is only going to get worse as more permits are approved,” says Harris. “Workers will go to the highest bidder, and the cost to rebuild a home in the Pacific Palisades or Altadena could double or even triple.”
Skilled labor is also being pulled away to high-end or commercial builds, leaving fire victims with fewer options.
“The deeper-pocketed corporate builders and developers are going to absorb the available labor, leaving mom and pops who are trying to rebuild their homes high and dry,” says Harris.
While L.A.’s 800+ permits are a symbol of progress, they also reveal the scale of what lies ahead for families still trying to recover.