The Planning Department has attempted to verify permit records for the structures that were destroyed or severely damaged by one of these devastating fires. This includes dwellings, mobile homes, recreational vehicles or travel trailers that were being used as dwellings, and many outbuildings.  For a number of the structures it is clear that building permits had not been obtained.

To be considered legal, a dwelling or other structure must have been built or installed with the appropriate County permits, or built or installed before permits were required.  The latter category is what is known as a legal non-conforming use or structure.

If you are a property owner within one of the burn areas and you believe that one or more of the damaged or destroyed structures on your property was permitted in the past by the County, or that they are legal non-conforming, then we encourage you to contact one of our Permit Centers to find out how to bring closure to this matter to move forward with the rebuilding process. It is in your interest to establish legality; such structures will be able to be rebuilt under streamlined rules and lower fees.

On the other hand, If you know that one or more of the damaged or destroyed structures on your property (including recreational vehicles, mobile homes and travel trailers) was not permitted in the past and does not qualify as a legal non-conforming structure, then the prior dwelling(s) or other outbuildings that were damaged or destroyed were likely violations of one or more County building, zoning, environmental, health, and fire codes.

It may be possible to lawfully develop your property and build and occupy a residence, a second unit, and/or build a storage building. Our Department offers a service that is specifically designed for this purpose- the Pre-Development Site Review (PDSR) process. This service includes a site assessment by County staff and a summary report of the site development issues and constraints.  If you decide to take advantage of this service, you are eligible for priority application processing. Subsequently, if you submit a building application, you will also qualify for priority processing to the end of 2011. Normal application and review requirements will apply. Fee reductions do not apply, as only those individuals who lost a previously legal structures get fee reductions.

Except in very limited instances, living in a recreational vehicle, travel trailer or temporary mobile home is illegal. Building without permits is illegal, except for very limited exempted work.  Storing a recreational vehicle, travel trailer or temporary mobile home is only allowed on a parcel with a legal dwelling, subject to certain restrictions.

Important Links

Permit centers locations and hours
Pre-Development Site Review (PDSR)