Mayor Karen Bass is like Lucy holding the football–Bass keeps saying she’ s working on building permit waivers/fees, but so far she keeps pulling them out of reach.
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass is like Lucy in the Charlie Brown cartoon strip. In her hand she holds the football (building permit waivers) and every time someone from the Palisades or someone associated with construction goes to the City, she pulls the ball away.
And just like Lucy, Bass has several excuses. “We’re still working on it. There are legal issues. These kind of things can’t happen just like that.”
In an effort to help Bass with the legal issues, CTN reached out to the City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto’s office on April 13.
Soto’s Public Information Officer Ivor Pine replied April 16, “We are working with the Mayor’s Office and City Council on alternatives. Hope that helps.”
CTN replied it didn’t help because it didn’t answer the question, which was “why can’t she legally waive the fees with an executive order.”
There is an urgency to having fees waived if the City wants residents to rebuild. The cost to build in Los Angeles for permits and fees can run from $40,000 to $80,000 or more.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass on January 31, 2025.
(Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
On March 13 (Letter: To Mayor Karen Bass – Waive Building Fees for Fire Victims) and again on March 28 (Letter- Waive Permit and Building Fees for Fire Victims), residents spoke about the high costs of building.
Two CTN stories one on March 18 (L.A. City Nees to Waive Building Fees for Fire Victims) and another on April 1(Building Permits/Fees Too Costly to Rebuild after Palisades Fire) building fees were detailed.
Bass has been asked repeatedly about waiving those costs in meetings. In at least three of her webinars, the most recent on April 15, someone asked about waiving fees. Just like Lucy, the City promised it was being looked at and there would be an announcement soon.
In two different press conferences Mayor Bass has been asked by this editor why she doesn’t waive planning, building and permitting fees. She has gone on record as saying there is a legal issue.
During L. A. Mayor Karen Bass’ weekly meeting held via Zoom on April 1, this CTN editor again asked, “When will the Mayor waive building and permit fees?”
A timeline was not given, instead this editor was told that “Councilmember Traci Park had led a motion to come back with an analysis.”
“There will be more clear answers when the legislative timeline is finished,” said Jenny Delwood, the Mayor’s Deputy Chief of Staff.
On March 21, this editor asked about waiving rebuilding fees at Mayoral press conference in the Palisades. Bass replied that she had asked for a list from building and safety and planning of all the fees and to waive everything that they can. She said that some fees they can’t waive, but those that can’t be waived, she would try to have them reduced.
On April 9 at a press conference celebrating the first home being constructed on DePauw, CTN asked about the fees. The home had only been completed three years ago and was being rebuilt. Initially the City told them they had to pay a $9,000 permit fee. The contractor negotiated with the City and they paid $6,000, which he said still felt high. The contractor felt the City should waive the fee.
“Agreed,” Bass said. “It’s not like they chose to remodel; this was an act of God.”
This editor asked the same question at the April 10 press conference and received the same answer from Bass.
Businessman Rick Caruso was asked the same question at that conference and answered “All the fees should be waived.” And said it would just take an executive order. This is a statement he repeated in the 1Pali Podcast on April 14.
Fees have once again been waived in Malibu for the Palisades Fire – and there is precedent in California for waiving these fees in response to devastating fires:
- In 2018, in response to the Woolsey Fire, the City of Malibu waived planning and building permit fees for properties destroyed in the disaster. https://www.malibucity.org/DocumentCenter/View/24698/Fee-Waiver-FAQ. The deadlines for these waivers have been extended. https://www.malibucity.org/958/Fee-Waiver-Deadlines.
- In 2020, in response to the Glass Fire in Northern California, the City of Santa Rosa waived planning and other permit fees. https://www.srcity.org/2674/Resilient-City-Zoning
- In 2021, in response to the Dixie Fire in Northern California in 2021, Nevada County waived planning and building permit fees for properties destroyed in the disaster. https://yubanet.com/regional/nevada-county-provides-priority-permitting-and-fee-waiver-for-winter-storm-damage/
How do you get building permits/fees waived if you suffered the catastrophic Palisades Fire? Don’t ask Mayor Lucy.
The city needs to make $$ from its supposedly wealthiest citizens — those in PP. since they can’t get $$ from other sources they need those building fees.
Well, when LA is half a billion dollars… oh wait, that was
LASTWEEK, when LA is A BILLION DOLLARS IN DEBT… This city is corrupt and being run by arrogant and unfeeling leaders.
Spectacular article!!!! Home run!!! Such clever and smart writing!
Excellent article. You really feel our frustration. I hope the mayor is reading this. Maybe it’s worth sending it to her but you probably thought of that already.
Keep up the good work!
I know people want to get back and start building, but everyone should protest Bass and Parks by keeping their lots cleared and not pull a permit, till they waive fees.
There is absolutely precedent for waving building fees. Recall that the city of Los Angeles did just that following in Northridge earthquake.
Fantastic and very clear article with chronology of the empty statements of Mayor Lucy. Am I misremembering but shortly after the conclusion of the fires (when mostly out) Mayor Lucy said that building permit fees and coastal commission approval would be waived absolutely. No question…….now…….
Thank you again for your spot on reporting!
Great article and a perfect analogy!
Obviously, the mayor is dragging her feet. Perhaps the question of fee waiver be put forth to CD11 to help push for a quick response. CD 11 has been responsive on other issues.
Great summary of the city’s failed leadership!