Planning & Community Development
Economic Development & Technology Committee
July 15, 2025
Proposed Fee Reductions for
Eaton Fire-Destroyed Homes
Planning & Community Development
ADU Ordinance
2 Background
REBUILD FEE REDUCTIONS
Planning & Community Development
Background
• June 17, 2025 - Staff provided two recommendations:
1. Reduce plan check fees by 50% for rebuilt homes that utilize a Standard Plan approved by the City.
2. Reduce the Public Works Construction & Demolition (C&D) Performance Deposit to a flat $2,000. The cost savings would be $10,000 for a 1,900 square foot SFR with a 2-car garage.
• The recommendations would significantly decrease plan check and permit fees
> Approximately 40% reduction if Standard Plans were utilized. > Approximately 28% for all other rebuilds.
3 Planning & Community Development
Background
• Public comments received at the meeting indicated a desire for deeper reductions, a sentiment which was supported by EdTech.
• Direction given to staff to:
> Consider reducing or waiving all fees legally permissible to the maximum extent possible, including fees by other City departments.
• Apply fee reductions/waivers to properties that meet the following criteria:
1) Single-family properties that were owner-occupied as of January 7, 2025, and the same owner is the applicant (or a member of the family); 2) The reconstruction of ‘like-for-like’ for single-family properties as allowed under the City’s Rebuild Ordinance adopted March 24, 2025; and
3) The reconstruction of red-tagged structures (primary dwelling and required parking) and not to the construction of new detached structures such as an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) that did not exist prior to the fire. 4 Planning & Community Development
ADU Ordinance Upda
5 Analysis
REBUILD FEE REDUCTIONS
Planning & Community Development
Analysis
Fee estimates based on:
• 1,900 square foot residence with 2-car garage
Fee burden based on:
• 125 single-family rebuilds as the outermost cost to account for properties that lost an accessory structure (117 SFRs actually lost)
• A 2/3rds rebuild estimate (assumes that not all properties are rebuilt or meet the criteria to qualify for the waivers/reductions)
Fee Types:
• Plan check fees
• Permit fees
• Fees by other departments in addition to the building permit (Fire, Public Works and Water & Power)
6 Planning & Community Development
Analysis – Plan Check & Permit Fees
Plan Check & Permit Fees:
• Estimate is $37,628.
• Reduced or waived fees for special
purposes funds like the Building
Fund (204) must be replaced from
another source.
Recommendation:
• Reduce C&D deposit to $1,000
• Waive all other fees.
• Cost estimate:
> $2.04 million for all 125 sites
> $1.34 million for 2/3rds of sites
• There is currently $1.46 million in
accrued interest from the Building
Fund that can be used.
7 Planning & Community Development
Analysis – Fees by Other Departments
(Public Works Department)
Sidewalk Assessment & Repair
Fees:
• Estimate is $1,800 for average sidewalk
repair fee for single-family.
• Repair fee cannot be waived.
Recommendation:
• Waive the Inspection Fee.
• Cost estimate:
> $14,250 for all 125 sites
> $9,500 for 2/3rds of sites
• Do not waive Sidewalk Repair Fee
since costs in the Project Management
Fund (301) cannot be absorbed.
> Estimated at $225,000
8 Planning & Community Development
Analysis – Fees by Other Departments
(Fire Department)
Fire Sprinkler &
Landscape/Defensible
Space Fees:
• Estimate is $2,429 for the average
single-family rebuild.
Recommendation:
• Waive all fees, which are fees from
the Building Fund (204)
• Cost estimate:
> $303,625 for all 125 sites
> $202,397 for 2/3rds of sites
9 Planning & Community Development
Analysis – Fees by Other Departments
(Water & Power - Electric)
Electric Service Costs:
• $2,766 for overhead 200-amp
service
• $6,200 for underground 200-amp
service
• Very few sites may pay more.
Recommendation:
• No reductions.
> Although Electric Service Fund can be
utilized to absorb these costs, it is
recommended to instead utilize these
interest funds towards the upcoming rate
increase to benefit all PWP electric
service customers.
• Cost estimate:
> $558,658 for all 125 sites
> $372,402 for 2/3rds of sites
10 Planning & Community Development
Analysis – Fees by Other Departments
(Water & Power - Water)
Water Service Costs:
• PWP provides water service to
the Pasadena and portions of
unincorporated LA County
• Scenario 1 at $962 (20%)
• Scenario 2 at $30,200 (20%)
• Scenario 3 at $56,200 (very
unlikely)
• Costs may be higher if mainline
upgrades are necessary.
Recommendation:
• Defer discussion until an
assessment of water service needs
is completed by LA County.
• No other utilities are waiving fees.
• Cost estimate:
> $2.25 million for all 350 sites
11 Description Fund Cost Total Cost
All properties Fire Hydrant Flow Test/Water Availability Test 412 $ 200 200$ Fire Hydrant Flow Test/Water Availability Test $ 200 1-inch meter set $ 752 Fire Hydrant Flow Test/Water Availability Test $ 200 1-inch Domestic Service Installation w/ 1-
inch water meter At cost (Approx. $15,000-$25,000)
3/4", 1", 1 1/2" & 2" Service Abandonments At cost (Approx. $5,000) Fire Hydrant Flow Test/Water Availability Test $ 200 1-inch Domestic Service Installation w/ 1-
inch water meter At cost (Approx. $15,000-$25,000)
3/4", 1", 1 1/2" & 2" Service Abandonments At cost (Approx. $5,000) 6-inch Fire Hydrant Installation At cost (Approx. $25,000) 952$
30,200$
$ 55,200
Scenario 1:
Scenario 3:
Scenario 2:
412
412
412
Planning & Community Development
ADU Ordinance Upda
12 Recommendation &
Conclusion
REBUILD FEE REDUCTIONS
Planning & Community Development
Estimated Total Fees with Reductions
13 Planning & Community Development
Conclusion and Recommendation
14 Staff recommends the following fee reductions:
1. Waive plan check and building permit fees collected in the Building Fund (204) and the General Fund (101) with a total estimated amount of $3,203,500;
2. Reduce the Administrative Deposit for the Construction & Demolition Waste Management the Refuse Collection Fund (406) from $1,500,000 to $125,000;
3. Waive Sidewalk Inspection Fees collected in the Project Management Fund (301) with a total estimated amount of $14,250; and
4. Waive Fire Sprinkler and Landscape Review Fees collected in the Building Fund (204) with a total estimated amount of $303,625.
Planning & Community Development
Economic Development & Technology Committee
July 15, 2025
Proposed Fee Reductions for
Fire-Destroyed Homes