Camarillo City Council
AGENDA REPORT
Date: February 26, 2025
To: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
From: Greg Ramirez, City Manager
Submitted by: David Sanchez, Community Development Director Subject: Fee Waivers for Mountain Fire Properties
BACKGROUND
On Wednesday November 6, 2024, a fast-moving brush fire broke out in the Somis area, just west of Balcom Canyon Road. The intense Santa Ana wind event already in progress quickly spread the fire south and west across Hwy 118 and into the Camarillo Heights area. Mandatory evacuation orders were in place in parts of Camarillo and surrounding Ventura County areas. The fire grew to 19,904 acres and 243 structures have been destroyed and 127 damaged. This fire is now referred to as the Mountain Fire On November 7, 2024, the City Manager, acting as EOC Director, proclaimed that a local emergency existed within the City due to the Mountain Fire. On the same day, the Governor of California proclaimed a State of Emergency. The City Council ratified the local emergency on November 13, 2024.
As a result of the Mountain Fire, nine properties within the City of Camarillo sustained structural damage or loss. Four of these properties suffered total structural loss, while five properties experienced partial structural damage. Additionally, twenty-one properties were assessed and found to have no apparent hazards; therefore, they will not require building permits as a result of the Mountain Fire.
DISCUSSION
City staff has taken proactive measures to assist affected property owners in rebuilding or repairing their structures. Based on discussions with the affected property owners, most have expressed interest in rebuilding. Currently, these properties are in the debris removal phase two, with reconstruction anticipated to begin as early as summer 2025.
Given the high cost of building materials, construction costs, and potential economic impacts from proposed tariffs, staff recommends waiving certain permit fees to provide
Mountain Fire Fee Waivers
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financial relief to affected property owners. This financial assistance will enable property owners to allocate more resources toward rebuilding and recovery efforts.
Proposed Fee Waivers
Staff recommends waiving the following permit fees commonly assessed for construction:
•Building permit ($12,702 new construction, varies for rehabilitation) •Zone clearance ($812 for new construction, $128 for rehabilitation) •Drainage plan review ($3,348)
•Underground in lieu ($415 per linear foot)
•Soils review ($2,124)
•Stormwater – Post Construction Stormwater Management Plan ($2,000) •Landscape plan review ($2,666)
The total permit fees will vary for each property owner based on the construction cost.
Staff estimates that the cost to the City for these fee waivers outlined above is approximately $300,000.
In addition to waiving certain permitting fees, the City has streamlined the rebuilding process for property owners affected by the Mountain Fire. The City has committed to the following actions:
•Prioritizing the plan review process to expedite permit approvals. •Assigning a dedicated planner to each property owner to assist in the recovery and rebuilding process.
There is no imposed deadline for property owners to submit permit applications for rebuilding. While some property owners may begin reconstruction promptly, others may experience delays due to the insurance settlement process. To accommodate these potential delays, staff recommends approving the proposed fee waivers through December 31, 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT
The financial impact of the recommended fee waivers is estimated at $300,000. Funding to offset these costs is available through the City’s Natural Disaster Recovery Fund.
CEQA DETERMINATIONS
City staff has determined, in accordance with Section 15061(b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, that the Mountain Fire Fee Waiver is not Mountain Fire Fee Waivers
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subject to CEQA review because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the Mountain Fire Fee Waiver may have a significant effect on the environment.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a Resolution waiving certain permit fees for properties that sustained structural damage or loss as a result of the Mountain Fire through December 31, 2026.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution
REFERENCE MATERIALS – AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW AT CITY HALL