Malibu-Topanga Business Interruption Fund
The Malibu-Topanga Business Interruption Fund (BIF) is a $250,000 grant program to help small businesses in Malibu and Topanga recover from economic losses caused by extended road closures following the Palisades Fire.
The program is administered by the LA County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) in partnership with AidKit.
Eligible businesses can receive between $10,000 and $20,000 in financial relief to help offset revenue losses stemming from decreased customer access during prolonged closures of Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and Topanga Canyon Boulevard.
Applications open today, July 23, 2025, and will close on August 22, 2025, at 5 p.m. Award notifications will be issued in the fall, and payments will be made directly via ACH deposit.
To qualify, businesses must:
• Be located in Malibu (90265) or Topanga (90290)
• Employ 100 or fewer workers
• Earn no more than $6 million in annual gross revenue
• Be a storefront business where customers physically come to transact business (some qualifying home-based businesses that require in-person clients, such as daycares, may also apply)
• Have been operating in California before January 1, 2025
• Be active and in good standing with all required tax and business licenses
Priority will be given to businesses that have not previously received financial assistance from the City of Malibu or LA County grant programs.
Apply and learn more here.
DEO and AidKit will be hosting application assistance events to support small businesses with their applications.
Topanga Application Assistance Event
📅 Tuesday, July 29, 2025
🕛 12 Noon
📍 Topanga Library
122 N Topanga Canyon Blvd, Topanga, CA 90290
This is a hybrid event. You can attend in person or via Zoom.
Malibu Application Assistance Event
📅 Thursday, July 31, 2025
🕛 12 Noon
📍 Malibu Library
23519 Civic Center Way, Malibu, CA 90265.
This is a hybrid event. You can attend in person or via Zoom.
Fire Recovery and Resilience Workforce Program
The Fire Recovery and Resilience Workforce Program provides immediate hiring and training support for impacted and dislocated workers from the January 2025 windstorms and wildfires in partnership with LA County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and the region’s America’s Job Centers of California. The goal of the Program is to ensure that all impacted workers have access to career pathways that lead to new and better jobs, and opportunities to participate in the recovery and rebuild of our fire-impacted areas.
This program offers multiple hiring and training services to access temporary subsidized employment and long-term career pathways that provide quality jobs and economic mobility. Eligible job-seeking participants will enroll with an America’s Job Center of California, develop an individual employment plan, and may access multiple services, where needed. It also supports businesses – those who are impacted as well as those who are interested in accessing hiring and training services – and training providers who may offer their skills training to impacted workers.
Check eligibility and fill out an interest form here.
eCheck AI Pilot is Part of “Express Lane” for Faster Rebuilding
LA County and the City of Los Angeles are partnering with Archistar for the eCheck AI Pilot, a cutting-edge tool that reviews building plans for compliance with zoning rules using artificial intelligence.
Property owners whose single-family homes were impacted by the Eaton Fire or the Palisades Fire and are located in a single-family residential zone are invited to join as Early Adopters.
The eCheck AI Pilot is one way residents can accelerate the approval process, along with opting for a pre-approved plans and a Like-for-Like Rebuild.
📺 Watch a short video about the Express Lane on the Road to Recovery here.
Here’s how residents can participate in the eCheck AI Pilot:
• Sign up for a free account:
➡LA County (Altadena and other unincorporated areas)
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➡City of LA
• Look up your property address.
• Upload your architectural drawings in PDF format.
• Residents can choose between Like-for-Like and Non-Like-for-Like rebuild projects.
During the pilot, results may take up to 10 business days, but may be delivered faster.
When results are ready, participants can review them on the eCheck platform and include the downloadable report in their permit application.
Participants in the pilot program will be helping to train the AI model and accelerating recovery in our communities. This is a completely voluntary pilot; it is not required as part of the existing Plan Check application process.
The eCheck AI Pilot is just one innovation in the upcoming LA County Forward: Blueprint for Rebuilding.
The forthcoming Blueprint will set out the necessary conditions for a successful recovery effort and will provide a roadmap for how the County will work with its State and city partners, along with residents, community stakeholders, and private industry to speed up construction timelines, reduce costs, and support the workforce we need to rebuild communities impacted by the fires.
Emergency Protections Extended to October 1, 2025
for Short-Term Rentals, Hotels, and Motels
To support wildfire survivors and ensure access to emergency housing, Governor Newsom recently signed Executive Order N-28-25 which extends tenancy and occupancy protections to October 1, 2025 for people displaced by the wildfires.
The Order allows wildfire evacuees to continue to be considered short-term occupants rather than tenants when they stay beyond 30 days in short-term rentals, hotels and motels.
📞 Contact the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer & Business Affairs' Housing and Tenant Protections team at 800-593-8222 if you have questions.
See here for more information.
Regional “Shop Local. Dine Local. Recover Local.” Campaign Supports Economic Recovery for Fire Impacted Small Businesses
Local businesses in or near impacted areas can sign up at shoplocal.la to be included in the Recover Local Business Directory, an online list of highly-impacted businesses. Participating businesses will receive promotional support and direct access to critical resources, including marketing tools and help navigating available services.
Residents can take the Shop Local Pledge, explore participating businesses, and stay up-to-date on community events and special promotions at shoplocal.la.
Join host David Sommers as he digs in and discovers how the Army Corps of Engineers is using science to remove debris created by the Eaton Fire in Altadena.
Watch here.
For Property Owners Who Have Opted In to the Government Debris Removal Program
If you have opted in to the government debris removal program, and have questions or need assistance, help is available:
📝 recovery.lacounty.gov
📞 (844) 347-3332 - Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
📧 [email protected] | [email protected]
Did You Know...?
If you have concerns over how private contractors are hauling debris, you can file formal complaints on The Works app or through the Opt-Out Fire Debris Removal Permits Hotline:1-888-479-7328. The hotline is open Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
You can follow the County-wide debris removal progress via the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Phase 2 Debris Removal Public Viewer.
The Road to Rebuilding: Overview
This animated video provides an overview of some of the steps on the Road to Rebuilding.
Fee Waivers & Refunds for Rebuilding
On June 17, 2025, the LA County Board of Supervisors approved a motion to waive and refund fees for qualifying property owners rebuilding single-family homes in unincorporated Los Angeles County following the Eaton and Palisades wildfires.
Residents can check their eligibility on this Fee Waivers & Refunds page.
The Road to Rebuilding guide to help residents navigate the complex rebuilding process after a wildfire, Los Angeles County has created this guide to help identify the steps necessary for rebuilding on your property.
The guide will take residents step-by-step through the rebuilding process.
Recorded Rebuilding Together Virtual Workshops Can Be Reviewed by Clicking Below
📺 April 26, 2025 Workshop on how to solicit, select, and work with a design professional.
📺 May 3, 2025 Workshop on how preapproved plans and streamlined permitting processes can help homeowners rebuild more efficiently, safely, and affordably – while preserving the historic character of our neighborhoods and meeting modern codes.
📺 May 17, 2025 Workshop on What Like-for-Like is and why it matters for unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County - how to take advantage of this process, which can help homeowners rebuild efficiently, safely, and affordably.
📺 June 26, 2025 Workshop on Resilient Rebuilding Resource Guide - for communities in unincorporated LA County recovering from the Eaton and Palisades wildfires, an overview of the resource guide and the information and resources for planning, designing, and constructing a high-performance building more resilient to fire risks.
Pre-Approved Plans
To learn about the benefits of using pre-approved plans visit the
Pre-Approved Plans page.
To see the library with latest pre-approved designs visit the Standard
Plan Catalog page.
Rebuilding Permit Centers: Get Help with Rebuilding
Rebuilding Permit Centers are open for guidance through the rebuilding process for residents affected by the Palisades and Eaton fires. These permit centers connect you with the departments responsible for rebuilding in your area.
LA County One-Stop Permit Center
464 West Woodbury Road, Suite 210, Altadena, CA 91001
Walk-In Hours:
Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Rebuild Consultation Appointments Available:
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. - 12 Noon.
SCE Planner Appointments Available:
Monday and Wednesday: 8 a.m. - Noon.
Click here for more information.
LA County One-Stop Permit Center
26600 Agoura Road, #110, Calabasas, CA 91302
Walk-In Hours:
Monday - Friday: 7 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Rebuild Consultation Appointments Available:
Monday and Wednesday: 7:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. – Noon.
SCE Appointments Available:
Monday and Wednesday: 8 a.m. - Noon.
Click here for more information.
City of LA - One Stop Permit Center
1828 Sawtelle Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025
Open Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: Closed
Click here for more information.
City of Malibu Rebuild Center
23805 Stuart Ranch Road, Suite 240, Malibu, CA 90265
Open Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Click here for more information.
City of Pasadena Planning Recovery Virtual Consultations
Appointments are available Monday through Thursday here
Questions: Email or visit the Pasadena Permit Center
The County of Los Angeles has an introductory resource guide for planning, designing, and constructing healthy, fire resilient, and efficient buildings and properties. The resource guide is for property owners—and design and building professionals supporting property owners—faced with post-fire rebuilding. The resource guide also supports those considering retrofitting existing structures and/or building new structures regardless of fire impacts.
The guide includes currently available incentives & rebates, and links to other trusted information with fact sheets and checklists for property owners.
Click here to explore the guide.
Self-Certification Pilot Program for Rebuilding in Unincorporated Areas
The Building Plan Self-Certification Pilot Program is designed to streamline plan review and help homeowners rebuild faster following the Eaton and Palisades Fires.
Under this program, California licensed architects and engineers can self-certify that their building plans comply with the Los Angeles County Building Code, eliminating the need for a full plan check review. Architects and engineers interested in participating in the program must register at recovery.lacounty.gov/rebuilding/self-certification.
A list of professionals registered to self-certify will be available at recovery.lacounty.gov/rebuilding. Only architects and engineers who register in advance will be able to self-certify plans.
Eligible projects include the replacement of single-family homes, accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and appurtenant structures that were damaged by the Eaton or Palisades Fire and are located in unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County.
All required approvals from other L.A. County departments – including Regional Planning, Public Health, and Fire – must still be obtained prior to the issuance of a building permit.
L.A. County Public Works will continue to offer traditional plan checks and other rebuilding tools, including preapproved standard plans that have already been reviewed for code compliance.
For more information on the Self-Certification Pilot Program, eligibility requirements, or to find a registered professional, visit recovery.lacounty.gov/rebuilding/self-certification/.
Additional In-Person Services Are Available to Assist in Wildfire Recovery
In-person County services continue to be available at two locations for those impacted by the Palisades and Eaton fires:
One-Stop Rebuilding Center
📍 1828 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025
🕘 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Altadena Community Center
📍 730 E. Altadena Drive, Altadena, CA 91001
🕘 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Altadena Community Meetings
Mondays, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Online, hosted by Supervisor Kathryn Barger.
Free Testing for Lead
Residents who were near wildfires or burn areas are able to receive free blood lead testing through December 2025 by the following two options:
1. Visit Your Medical Provider.
Ask your doctor for a blood lead test. Testing is covered by most insurance plans, including Medi-Cal.
- or -
2. Schedule a Free Blood Lead Test at a Quest Lab.
Call 1-800-LA-4-LEAD (1-800-524-5323) to request a free appointment. Testing is simple, confidential, and convenient.
The Department of Public Health also has a FREE soil lead testing program for residents living downwind of the Eaton Fire burn area.
For more information, including instructions on how to participate, please visit: ph.lacounty.gov/eaton-soil-testing
For more post-fire information from County of Los Angeles Public Health, click here.
Free Medical and Mental Health Clinic in Pasadena
Mondays and Wednesdays, from Noon to 5 p.m.
In person, hosted by the Eaton Health Village, in partnership with the Department of Mental Health
For free medical and mental health care, including medical consultations, medical refills, mental health services and case management, vision care, and dental care.
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Location: Pasadena Seventh-Day Adventist Church (1280 E. Washington Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91104)
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More information: 951-595-7032 or click here
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