Homes rebuilt or remodeled in California fire hazard severity zones must follow Chapter 7A of the California Building Code, which requires a Class A roof assembly, ember-resistant vents, ignition-resistant exterior walls, tempered dual-pane glazing and fire-resistant decking near the home. Existing homes can be hardened with many of the same upgrades, starting with vents, roofing, gutters and the five feet closest to the house.
Where the Rebuild Stands
Rebuilding after a disaster of this scale takes time, and every property follows its own path. Permit activity in the burn areas has grown steadily: as of February 21, 2026, the City of Los Angeles had received 3,561 rebuild permit applications and issued 1,939 permits, according to the city’s recovery data. Properties in the City of Malibu and unincorporated Los Angeles County follow separate permitting processes with their own requirements.
For families, the practical challenge is coordinating many moving parts at once: insurance adjusters, architects, engineers, utility reconnections, permit reviews and construction. That is exactly where an experienced general contractor adds value.
How We Help With a Rebuild
- Feasibility and planning. We review the lot, existing records, utilities and any remaining structures, and help you decide between a like-for-like rebuild and a redesigned home.
- Permit navigation. We prepare permit packages for the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety, the City of Malibu or Los Angeles County, and track them through review.
- Insurance documentation. We provide detailed scopes of work, line-item estimates and progress documentation that support your insurance claim.
- Wildfire-resistant construction. Every rebuild in a fire hazard zone is built to Chapter 7A, and we look for additional upgrades that improve resilience without compromising design.
- Construction management. One project manager coordinates the entire rebuild and keeps you informed throughout.
Hardening an Existing Home: Where to Start
Most homes that burn in wind-driven wildfires are ignited by embers rather than by a wall of flame. Embers can travel far ahead of a fire during Santa Ana events and slip into vents, gutters, gaps and piles of debris. The upgrades below address the most common ways embers get into a home, roughly in order of priority:
- Vents. Replace attic, eave and foundation vents with ember- and flame-resistant vents listed by the State Fire Marshal or tested to ASTM E2886.
- Roof and gutters. A Class A roof assembly, enclosed eaves, and noncombustible gutters or gutter guards keep embers and dry leaves from collecting where they can ignite.
- Windows and doors. Tempered dual-pane glass resists breaking from radiant heat, which can otherwise let fire inside.
- The five feet around the house. Keep this zone free of bark mulch, dry plants, stored firewood and wooden furniture, and avoid wood fences that attach directly to the house.
- Decks. Replace combustible decking near the home with fire-resistant materials and enclose or clear the space underneath elevated decks.
Santa Ana wind events are most common in fall and winter, which is when wildfire risk in coastal Southern California typically peaks. Schedule hardening upgrades in spring and summer so the work is complete before the windy season. Many of these improvements, such as vent replacements and gutter guards, can be done in days rather than months.
Is Your Home in a Fire Hazard Zone?
You can check your address on CAL FIRE’s Fire Hazard Severity Zone viewer. The maps were updated recently and now cover more neighborhoods within city limits. If your property is in a high or very high zone, Chapter 7A requirements apply to new construction, additions and many alterations. We confirm your zone as part of every feasibility review.
Before You Sign a Rebuild Contract
Make sure your plans, permits and utility clearances are clearly documented in your name, confirm which approvals would transfer if you sell the property, and ask any contractor for their license number, insurance and examples of wildfire-resistant construction. You can verify a California contractor license at cslb.ca.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
What building code applies to homes rebuilt in fire zones?
Homes in California fire hazard severity zones must follow Chapter 7A of the California Building Code, which covers roofing, vents, exterior walls, glazing, decking and other materials designed to resist embers and flame.
What is the most important wildfire upgrade for an existing home?
Ember-resistant vents are among the most effective upgrades, because embers commonly enter homes through attic and foundation vents. Roofing, gutters and clearing the five feet around the house are also high priorities.
Can you help with insurance documentation?
Yes. We provide detailed scopes, line-item estimates and progress documentation to support your claim. We do not act as a public adjuster or provide legal advice.
How long does a fire rebuild take?
Timelines vary widely by property, permitting agency and design. Permitting can take several months, and construction of a new home typically takes a year or more.
When should I harden my home?
As soon as practical, and ideally before fall, when Santa Ana wind events are most common. Many upgrades can be completed in a few days.
Last reviewed: November 2026 by the Elliott Construction Group team. Building codes and permit rules change often; we confirm current requirements for your property before design begins.