Fee Waiver & Deadlines

The City Council approved several measures to assist property owners with rebuilding. Contact the City’s Rebuild Staff during normal business hours to discuss your project or contact Aakash Shah at 310-456-2489, ext. 385 to schedule an appointment.

In-Kind NONConforming Structures deadlines

Timeline for Planning Verification Rebuild Applications

June 30, 2023  - Pursuant to the City Council's direction on July 11, 2022, the deadline to apply for rebuild Option 4 (also known as major rebuild or two-step rebuild) was June 30, 2023. (City Council Report and Council Actions). 

Building Permits November 8, 2026 - Planning Verification approvals expire eight (8) years from the date of the Woolsey Fire. Property owners have until November 8, 2026, to obtain building permits.

Request for Time Extension - Property owners may file a time extension from the November 8, 2026 deadline to obtain building permits for nonconforming structures with a previously submitted Planning Verification. The request must demonstrate that due to unusual circumstances, the deadline creates an undue hardship. A REQUEST FOR TIME EXTENSION may be submitted in person at the front counter or by email to PlanningAdmin@malibucity.org before the deadline. The deadline to submit a Woolsey Fire building permit time extension request is November 8, 2026. Per California Code of Civil Procedure Section 12(a), the City will accept requests received and paid on the next business day, Monday, November 9, 2026, by 5:30 PM. Should you have a question, contact Rebuild Staff at 310-456-2489, ext. 385 or email revans@malibucity.org. Any request for an extension of time to obtain building permits will be scheduled for a public hearing with the Planning Commission. 

Deadline Passed - Planning Verification Submittal - The deadline to submit a Planning Verification (PV) application to rebuild nonconforming homes and structures without having to bring the structure into compliance with existing ordinances has passed unless a Time Extension was submitted prior to November 8, 2024. Applications submitted after November 8, 2024 may still be exempt from having to apply for a Coastal Development Permit; however, they may not maintain any previously existing non-conformities.

CITY FEE WAIVER PROGRAM & DEADLINES

NEXT DEADLINE:  All required building permits must be pulled by December 30, 2026 and no fees will be waived after December 30, 2026

The deadline to apply for the City's Woolsey Fire Fee Waiver Program has passed. In addition, all required Planning Department applications for eligible projects must be deemed complete by June 30, 2026, to qualify for fee waivers. 

The City Council adopted Resolution No. 23-40 on September 25, 2023, extending the fee waiver program for an additional three years to assist eligible Woolsey Fire survivors rebuilding their homes.

To qualify:

  • Fee waiver applications must be submitted by June 30, 2026.
  • All required Planning Department applications must be deemed complete by June 30, 2026.
  • All required building permits must be pulled by December 30, 2026.
  • No fees will be waived after December 30, 2026.

The program waives City rebuilding fees for eligible properties being rebuilt as a like-for-like or like-for-like plus 10% rebuild that served as the property owner's primary residence on November 8, 2018.  The Woolsey Fire Fee Waiver Program is also transferable to heirs of previously qualified property owners.

Eligible waived fees may include:

  • Rebuilding fees for qualifying homes
  • Onsite wastewater treatment system (OWTS) replacement or upgrades
  • Damaged or destroyed accessory structures
  • Hardscaping and landscaping associated with the rebuild

Property owners who have already paid eligible rebuilding fees may qualify for a refund. Fees associated with post-approval revisions will be charged in accordance with the City's adopted fee schedule. Fee waivers are not transferable, and all waived fees must be repaid before a Certificate of Occupancy can be issued to an owner other than the original qualified applicant.

Proof of Ownership and Primary Residency

Property owners are eligible for a fee waiver if the property that was destroyed or damaged by the Woolsey Fire was their primary residence as of November 8, 2018. All applicants requesting a fee waiver must submit a completed Affidavit of Ownership and Primary Residency, and provide photo identification and documentation of primary residency that will be reviewed by City staff. Accepted proof for primary residency includes: an active voter registration, a valid driver license, or other government-issued documentation with both the property owner name and the property address that was damaged or destroyed by the Woolsey Fire.

Fee Refunds

Property owners who paid fees prior to the adoption of the Fee Waiver resolution are eligible to apply for a refund of City fees. All property owners requesting a refund must submit a Refund Request Form. 

If you have questions about the fee waiver or refund process, email Rebuild Project staff or call 310-456-2489, ext. 385. The refund check will be mailed to the original payer of record within four weeks of the refund request.

COUNTY WAIVER

At its Regular meeting on July 23, 2019, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors adopted a Resolution to Waive Waterworks District 29 Fees, for fire rebuilds that will not use more water than what was previously used.

Forms