AIA|LA ADVOCACY REPORT
March 4, 2025
Prepared by DUEx Dry Utility Experts for The American Institute of Architects, Los Angeles (AIA|LA)
Executive Summary
The Palisades Fire, which burned from January 7 to February 20, 2025, stands as one of the most devastating wildfires in Los Angeles history. The fire consumed 23,707 acres, destroyed 6,837 structures, damaged 973 others, and tragically claimed the lives of 12 civilians. The affected area, home to 83,622 residents and 43,056 households, now faces the monumental task of rebuilding amidst ongoing threats of mudslides and debris flows.
This report, prepared by Dry Utility Experts for The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Los Angeles, provides a comprehensive analysis of the utility infrastructure challenges and opportunities in the Palisades Fire recovery report. Based on field observations conducted between February 20 and February 25, 2025, and supplemented by 10–12 case studies, the report identifies key issues and offers actionable recommendations to streamline the rebuilding process.
Key Findings
1. Public Desire for Underground Utilities: There is overwhelming support from the community to rebuild with underground utility lines, seen as a critical measure for fire mitigation and long-term safety.
2. Complex Utility Processes: The current processes for encroachment, new service requests, and underground conversion are lengthy, complex, and often inaccessible to individual homeowners. Based on current timelines, homeowners with larger service sizes or a desire to convert to underground need to submit applications immediately if they want service within 3 years. As referenced in the “ED1 Power System Dashboard Report,” the average project duration reported was 969 days in June 2024. At this time, architects cannot satisfy submittal requirements until LADWP issues guidance on the short-term and long-term utility plans for the overhead lines.
3. Capacity Issues: The scale of destruction has created unprecedented demand for utility services, with additional capacity challenges foreseen. New submittals from the Palisades Fire will place a significant burden on an already strained system. This will trickle down and impact all new construction projects in LADWP jurisdiction.
4. Easement and Property Rights Challenges: Existing and potential new easements complicate rebuilding efforts, particularly for homeowners seeking to construct temporary ADUs or other structures. Stakeholders need clarity from LADWP if they can exclude the overhead clearance requirements outlined in CPUC Go 95 and confirm if LADWP is planning to quitclaim the existing aerial utility easements on their properties. Homeowners are equally concerned if the utility providers are adding new recorded or unrecorded easements, Right of Entry Agreements, or access requirements for the new poles, anchors, and aerial lines being actively installed throughout the community to restore power to existing customers.
5. Fire Hardening and Safety: The Palisades Fire area is a high-wind zone with a significant risk of future wildfires, necessitating fire-hardening measures such as undergrounding utility lines.
To read the full report and its top recommendations, CLICK HERE.
Architects: Your Expertise is Needed Now!
The recent wildfires have devastated our communities, and the need for skilled architects to guide the rebuilding process is more critical than ever. You can make a direct impact right now.
By registering with both the City of Los Angeles and Los Angeles County, you’ll become a vital resource for homeowners seeking to rebuild their lives. Your expertise will help streamline the process, ensuring safe, resilient, and beautiful new homes and communities.
Take Action Today:
- Register with the City of Los Angeles Burea of Contract Administration: [CLICK HERE]
- Register with Los Angeles County Public Works: [CLICK HERE]
Your registration will help connect you with directly with homeowners who need your skills. Be a part of the solution. Rebuild with us.
DO YOU HAVE IDEAS FOR IMPROVING THE REBUILDING PROCESS? Share your valuable insights with LA County Public Works to help shape critical rebuilding policies: [CLICK HERE]
For more context on the County’s initiatives, please review the Eaton & Palisades Fire Recovery webpage.
Together, we can create a stronger, more resilient Los Angeles.
Architects: Help Shape the Future of LA Permitting!
The City of Los Angeles needs your expertise to improve the BuildLA permitting portal. Your feedback will directly impact the functionality and user experience of this critical tool for architects and the entire building community.
Take Action Now:
- Log in to the BuildLA Customer Portal: https://buildlacore.lacity.org/customerportal
- Explore the portal’s features: Create projects, add team members, link permits and services.
- Provide your feedback: Use the “Submit Feedback” link under “Help” within the portal to share your insights on the portal’s functionality, user-friendliness, and any areas for improvement.
Your feedback is crucial for:
- Streamlining the permitting process: Help make the process more efficient and intuitive for everyone.
- Improving collaboration: Enhance the portal’s ability to support teamwork and communication.
- Enhancing the user experience: Ensure the portal is user-friendly and meets the needs of architects and other building professionals.
Don’t miss this opportunity to shape the future of permitting in Los Angeles. Your input will help create a more efficient and effective system for all.
Questions or recommendations? Contact Will Wright and/or Sonia Nanda – BuildLA Sr. Project Manager at the City of Los Angeles..
Thank you for your valuable contribution!
The Wildfire Prepared Home designation program enables homeowners to take preventative measures for their home and yard to protect against wildfire.
A Program Of IBHS
Rebuilding After a Fire: Frequently Asked Questions
Prepared by AIA Pasadena & Foothill Chapter
This FAQ document is drafted and managed by the American Institute of Architects Pasadena & Foothill Chapter for the purposes of informing our volunteers and, by extension, the
community. We are collecting and updating information as we are able, but we do not certify the correctness of the information provided herein, as the landscape of information is changing daily. This guide is not currently meant for public distribution but as an internal resource.
If you have further information to contribute or questions about this document, please reach out to us at wildfiresupport@aiapf.org.
CLICK HERE to read Rebuilding After a Fire: Frequently Asked Questions
Additional Rebuilding Guides & Resources
WILDFIRE RECOVERY RESOURCES DESIGN & CONSULTING SERVICES
The architects, designers, and consultants listed in our Wildfire Recovery Resources: Design & Consulting Services have voluntarily reached out to our task force to offer their services to homes and businesses affected by wildfires. This list is provided as a public resource to help connect those in need with professionals who may be able to assist in rebuilding and recovery efforts.
LIST OF ARCHITECTS & DESIGNERS
The AIA LA & LACP Professional Volunteer Program (PVP)
Architects & designers passionate about improving the design quality of newly proposed projects throughout the City of Los Angeles are encouraged to participate in the Professional Volunteer Program (PVP), which is a collaborative design review program organized by AIA LA & Los Angeles City Planning (LACP)’s Urban Design Studio.
This year we will be coordinating thirty-one virtual design review sessions, which will serve as opportunities for architects and designers to help the Los Angeles City Planning’s Urban Design Studio critically review upcoming projects throughout our City.
March 4 (10am)
March 11 (10am)
March 18 (10am)
April 1 (10am)
April 8 (10am)
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Will Wright, Hon. AIA|LA
Director, Government & Public Affairs
t: 213.639.0764
e: will@aialosangeles.org
www.aialosangeles.org
