Updated October 2026
Book a free 1:1 call with Yifu Pan, AIA, to see what your fire-damaged lot can hold and the fastest permit path to get there. Send us the address and we do the homework before we talk.
The short version
- Free, one-on-one, with a licensed architect. No obligation.
- We check zoning, like-for-like eligibility and small-lot (SB 1123) potential before the call.
- We cover Altadena and the rest of unincorporated LA County, plus Pacific Palisades and the City of LA.
- Book through our contact form, or call 626-660-0206.
What we cover
- Like-for-like or a new design. In the Eaton Fire area, LA County allows a like-for-like rebuild to grow up to 10% or 200 sf, whichever is greater. In the Palisades the limit is 10%. Like-for-like gets expedited review and skips current zoning rules, but not current building and fire codes.
- More homes on the lot. If your lot is vacant and zoned single-family, SB 1123 can allow a split into up to 10 lots with a 60-day ministerial approval. We tell you whether that pencils out. See our SB 684 / SB 1123 page.
- Permits. Which agency reviews your plans, which consultants you need (survey, structural, Title 24), and where pre-approved plans or the County’s AI plan check can save time.
- Cost and schedule. A realistic range for design fees, consultants and permit time, based on what we are seeing on active rebuilds.
What to bring
- The property address or APN.
- Any old plans, permits or photos of the house.
- Your insurance coverage limits, if you have them.
- What you want: same house, a bigger one, or more units.
How we use it
Mariposa Complex in Altadena is a post-fire rebuild after the 2025 Eaton Fire. We used SB 1123 to plan three homes along a shared driveway, each with an attached ground-floor ADU, three stories with roof gardens. It won the 2026 AIA Pasadena & Foothill Rebuild Design Award (Multifamily and Commercial: The Most Collaborative Process).
More rebuild guides: Rebuilding Resources.
A post-fire rebuild for more than one household, and winner of a 2026 AIA Pasadena & Foothill Rebuild Design Award.
Planning a rebuild?
Send us the address and we’ll tell you what it can hold. Book a free consultation → · Follow @ydsarch on Instagram