Three places. Three rebuild pathways.

For a parcel within the City of Los Angeles, use the City’s recovery and permitting resources. Malibu has its own planning and building process. Unincorporated Altadena follows the relevant Los Angeles County process. Confirm the parcel rather than relying only on a neighborhood name.

Ask the appointed design team to identify other agencies involved in the proposed work. Coastal, fire, infrastructure and site matters may need separate coordination; the lead permit application does not erase those questions.

Collect available permits, approved drawings, surveys and other evidence requested by the authority. Distinguish reliable records from photographs, recollections and later alterations whose status has not been established.

Have the architect prepare a clear comparison between the former building and the proposed one. The authority determines what qualifies for a particular recovery pathway; a description such as like-for-like should not be used as a self-issued approval.

List proposed changes in layout, size, siting, height and use. Ask how those changes affect the applicable process. Keep a written record of the authority’s response and the design revision it addresses.

Current official recovery resources describe eligibility, applications and available assistance. Verify those resources when the application is prepared rather than carrying forward an old percentage, fee waiver or deadline from another project.

Retained foundations, walls and services require appropriate assessment before they are incorporated into the new design. The structural engineer and geotechnical professionals should determine the investigation and design appropriate to the actual site.

Do not assume that every foundation can be reused, that every hillside requires the same system or that bearing must always be on bedrock. The design and supporting evidence should establish the solution.

Create a project register that distinguishes site readiness, design information, authority reviews and construction preparations. A permit milestone does not establish that insurance, financing, utility arrangements or procurement have also been resolved.

Use the agreed programme to identify dependencies and decisions. For families rebuilding after a loss, clear status and realistic next steps are more useful than a promised permit date. Confirm the applicable code edition and any recovery-specific provisions with the design team and authority.