How to sign up for debris removal if you lost your home in the Palisades or Eaton fires

Residents whose homes were damaged or destroyed in the Palisades and Eaton fires can now sign up for debris removal on Los Angeles County’s recovery website.

The government is coordinating the cleanup in two phases. Phase 1 was launched by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Jan. 27. It’s free for residents and does not require homeowners to sign up.

To finish the cleanup work in Phase 2, homeowners can participate in a government program coordinated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or work with a licensed private company, which they can pay for out of pocket or by going through their insurance company.

The Corps began Phase 2 work this week.

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Jan. 27, 2025

Residents who choose the government option need to complete an “opt-in” form, giving the Corps consent to enter their property. Those who choose the private route will need to complete an “opt-out” form and apply for a debris removal permit.

Officials at a Jan. 26 fire recovery town hall described the U.S. Army Corps program as “free”; however, the opt-in form requires residents with insurance to submit insurance claims for the work so the government can seek reimbursement.

The form says state and federal laws prohibit a “duplication of benefits” — in other words, the ability to receive financial coverage for debris cleanup through both the government and insurance. Residents worried that submitting a debris cleanup insurance claim could affect their other benefits for the recovery process.

Homeowners who are unsure whether their property qualifies as damaged or destroyed can opt-in to find out if they’re eligible.

Affected homeowners can submit the forms in person at any Disaster Recovery Center or County Building and Safety Office, mail them to the county Public Works Department, or email them.

The deadline to submit the opt-in and opt-out forms is March 31. Any affected residents who do not complete a form may lose access to government-sponsored debris removal service, and local governments may still take steps to abate public health hazards not addressed by the property owner, L.A. County Public Works said in a statement to The Times.

Residents who opted-in can change their mind at any point and leave the U.S. Army Corps program by asking the county for and submitting a withdrawal form. If Phase 2 work had already started on the property, the government may seek reimbursement for work already completed.

The permit for private debris removal became available Thursday, and it has no set deadline, the county agency said. The permit application can be found on the L.A. County’s electronic permitting and inspections website.

Public Works Director Mark Pestrella said the Phase 2 cleanups will not be determined on a first-come, first-served basis.

The order will depend on terrain, when Phase 1 removal is completed for each property and whether the entire neighborhood has signed up, which allows the Corps to work on clusters of homes and minimizes the need to constantly move heavy equipment around.

The director also noted that residents can begin the building permit application process with their respective city or county before debris has been completely cleared.

At the Jan. 26 town hall, officials also highlighted relief funds and services available to residents.

Through former President Biden’s major disaster declaration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency offers funds for short-term rentals, emergency short-term lodging, home repairs and home replacements. Residents can apply online.

The Internal Revenue Service pushed back the 2025 tax filing deadline until Oct. 15 for L.A. County residents and announced the federal declaration should allow affected residents to deduct property damage and destruction from their taxes, under the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act.

Roughly 270 state-chartered banks, credit unions and mortgage lenders have already committed to mortgage relief, said state Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks), who urged residents to check with their mortgage companies for terms.

The Small Business Administration also offers disaster assistance loans for California wildfire victims.

Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) said federal aid is usually capped at $86,000, with another $10,000 available from the state, although he said he was working in Congress to secure more funds for disaster relief.