Los Angeles Times: Crest Real Estate Responds to Rebuilding Challenges in Los Angeles Post-Wildfires

Posted on July 14, 2025July 21, 2025 by Jason Somers

Los Angeles, CA — As Los Angeles reaches the six‑month mark since January’s devastating Eaton and Pacific Palisades wildfires, new data reveals a slow and uneven pace in permit approvals. Crest Real Estate—Los Angeles’ leading entitlement and permitting advisory firm—has released this update to contextualize the challenges and highlight key policy adjustments driving recovery.

Current State of Rebuilding in L.A.

• Unbalanced permit issuance: In the City of Los Angeles, only ~25% of nearly 400 submitted rebuild applications in Pacific Palisades have been approved. In adjacent Altadena, the rate plunges to about 5% of over 900 submitted applications.
• Rebuild applications vs permits in LA County: Countywide, more than 1,200 building applications are underway, yet only 90 permits have been issued—an average processing time of 51 days NBC Los Angeles.
• Citywide rhetoric vs statistical reality: While the city touts the first permit being issued months faster than after past wildfires, residents report ongoing bureaucratic hurdles—“tiny fraction” of homes have permits, and delays persist in approvals.

Key Reforms Under Way

• Fee waivers & streamlined checklists: Los Angeles has rolled out fee deferrals and “like-for-like” rebuild approvals aimed at speeding basic reconstructions in Pacific Palisades.
• Governor’s executive order: Governor Newsom has waived select state‑level codes—CEQA and Coastal Act—to expedite the permitting process.
• Innovative self‑certification system: The city is piloting a professional self‑certification program enabling licensed architects and engineers to self-approve simpler projects, reducing redundant bureaucracy Urban Land.

Impact on Homeowners and Developers

Crest Real Estate emphasizes that while strategic reforms are promising, practical impact remains limited:

• Persistent delays: Average approval times—still exceeding 50 days—continue to stall reconstruction timelines.
• Frustration mounting: Homeowners like Pacific Palisades resident Walter Lopes note permit acquisition remains “confusing,” delayed by shifting guidelines despite mayoral photo‑ops.
• Bottlenecks remain: The tri‑step rebuild process—debris/toxic waste removal, permit submission, then approvals—is still proving too protracted for many.

Crest Real Estate’s Support Strategy

As the entitlement environment evolves, Crest Real Estate is sharpening its services to assist property owners, developers, and design professionals:

1. Targeted due‑diligence to clarify evolving code requirements and navigate shifting “like‑for‑like” and self‑certification rules.
2. Permit expediting through strategic consultant coordination, city department engagement, and proactive pre-submissions.
3. Compliance intelligence, minimizing surprises by staying ahead of policy updates and reducing re-submissions.
4. Advocacy & relationship building with LADBS, planning departments, and county agencies to streamline communication.

Leadership Remarks

“L.A.’s recovery is underway—but the numbers show that bureaucratic inertia still shadows the progress,” said Jason Somers, President of Crest Real Estate.
“Our clients need not only streamlined approvals, but also expert guidance through shifting compliance rules—and that’s exactly what we deliver.”

Read more at https://www.latimes.com/homeless-housing/story/2025-07-10/rebuilding-permits-in-los-angeles-after-six-months