The Pasadena City Council Monday, Aug. 25, unanimously approved waiving or reducing permit fees related to rebuilding from the Eaton fire.
The council adopted a resolution amending the general fee schedule to make the following changes for rebuilding eligible residential structures destroyed in the fire: waive plan check and building permit fees, waive the refuse collection administrative fee and reduce the deposit for the construction and demolition waste management, waive sidewalk inspection and repair fees, waive fire sprinkler and landscape review fees and waive electric service fees.
“To all of you who were impacted let me say that this isn’t just a financial decision but this is really on behalf of all residents of Pasadena to say we are sorry that you and your families and neighbors and friends have experienced this,” Mayor Victor Gordo said. “This action on behalf of the City Council is all residents of Pasadena saying to you, ‘we’re with you’ and we will do all we can to support you.”
Councilmembers Tyron Hampton and Jess Rivas were absent. Hampton sent a statement of support which Gordo read during the meeting.
Pasadena Water and Power fees collected for the water service fund remain in place but as part of the action taken Monday the City Council moved to defer discussion about how to handle those fees.
According to a City of Pasadena dashboard, 36 rebuild permit applications have been received, with 28 being reviewed. Five permits have been issued as of Tuesday, Aug. 26.
Los Angeles County and the city of Los Angeles have taken similar steps to slash costs related to the rebuilding process. In the Eaton fire area the county has received 1,418 rebuilding applications and has so far issued 234 building permits.
A handful of residents whose homes were damaged or destroyed in Upper Hastings Ranch, in the area of Startouch Drive, attended Monday’s meeting and voiced support for the fee waiver resolution.
“After 33 weeks of difficult aftermath of the fire and the painful memories it left behind I kindly ask for your support in voting tonight to waive all planning and permit fees,” Ed Karim said.
The City Council’s roll call vote was met with applause from the residents in attendance.