Custom Homes & New Construction
Fire Rebuilds After the Mountain Fire and Other Wildfires
Rebuilding a home lost to wildfire, built to today's fire standards. We help with the permit path, the County's Mountain Fire fee waivers and the construction itself.
Fire Rebuilds (Mountain Fire & Others)
The Mountain Fire started on November 6, 2024, crossed State Route 118 into Camarillo Heights and Somis, and destroyed 243 structures before it was contained. Ventura County has been through this before: the Thomas Fire in 2017 destroyed hundreds of homes in Ventura and the Ojai Valley, and the Woolsey Fire in 2018 burned into Westlake Village and Oak Park. Each time, families have faced the same long list of decisions about rebuilding.
A rebuild is new construction. It goes through plan review and inspections like any new home and has to meet current code, including the wildfire construction standards known as Chapter 7A. That means the new house will be different from the old one in ways that help it survive the next fire.
The permit path for Mountain Fire rebuilds
The County of Ventura approved permit fee waivers for property owners affected by the Mountain Fire, estimated at about $20,000 per dwelling, covering building permits, septic, grading and other fees. The waivers run through December 31, 2026, with possible extensions. Fire rebuilds in the unincorporated area also skip the usual zoning clearance and go straight to Building & Safety, and wildfire recovery applications are expedited.
Homes inside the City of Camarillo, including Camarillo Heights, go through the city rather than the County. We confirm the jurisdiction for each lot and the current status of any waivers before planning around them.
What the new house must include
Chapter 7A sets requirements for every part of the building envelope in fire hazard zones. A rebuild is the easiest time to meet them, since nothing has to be retrofitted.
Roof and vents
Class A roofing and listed ember-resistant vents with fine mesh.
Walls and eaves
Noncombustible or ignition-resistant siding and enclosed eaves.
Windows and decks
Multipane windows with tempered glass, and decking that meets fire standards.
Sprinklers
Automatic fire sprinklers, required in new one- and two-family homes in California.
Rebuild or redesign
Some owners want the house they lost back as it was. Others take the chance to change the layout, add space or design for how they live now. Either way, the new plans have to meet current setbacks and codes, and the existing foundation, if any of it survived, has to be evaluated by an engineer before reuse. We help you decide which path fits your lot, your insurance settlement and your timeline.
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Start the rebuild with a plan
Call us to talk through your lot, your plans and the permit path. We will help you take the next step.
Fire Rebuilds (Mountain Fire & Others): FAQs
Can I rebuild my home exactly as it was?
You can often rebuild a similar size and layout, but the new home must meet current building, energy and fire codes, including Chapter 7A wildfire standards and fire sprinklers. Some features of the old house may not be allowed as they were. We review your original plans, if you have them, against current rules.
Can the old foundation be reused after a fire?
Sometimes. Intense heat can weaken concrete and reinforcing steel, so an engineer needs to evaluate the foundation before it is reused. Even if it is sound, it may need changes to meet current code. We coordinate the evaluation as an early step.
What do the County Mountain Fire fee waivers cover?
The County of Ventura approved waivers covering a range of permit fees, including building permits, wastewater treatment systems, grading, floodplain and defensible space landscape plan reviews, with an estimated savings of about $20,000 per dwelling. They run through December 31, 2026, with possible extensions. Check with the County for the current status.
How long does a fire rebuild take?
Design and permitting can take several months, then construction takes about as long as any new custom home of similar size. Expedited County review helps. Insurance timelines and material availability after a large fire also affect the schedule. We give you a realistic plan at the start.