Rancho Santa Fe Association
Member Assistance Program

List of Steps for Recovery / Rebuilding Destroyed Homes
Links to Fire Recovery and Rebuilding Resources
Fire Rebuild Permit Processing

List of Steps for Recovery / Rebuilding Damaged Homes
November 1, 2007

For homes or structures that were damaged by the Witch Creek Fire, the following steps should be used as a guideline for site clean-up, permitting and rebuilding:

1. Contact your insurance company before removing any debris or starting any repairs. Once an insurance adjustor has visited your property and issued any insurance related clearances, clean-up can begin.
2. Property owners may contract for debris removal on their own, or they may choose to participate in a larger debris removal program managed by the County or a State agency.  Participation in a regional program will:
   1. Involve additional monitoring
   2. Take longer to complete
   3. Require a right-of entry form signed by the property owner
3. For properties with hilly topography, erosion control measures (e.g., hydro-seeding, straw blankets) should be installed.  Several companies in San Diego County specialize in erosion control.
4. Where a home has been damaged and the repair is simply to restore the home to its pre fire-damage condition, no Art Jury review or approval is required.  However, if changes are proposed, Art Jury review is required.
5. Even if no Art Jury review is required as described above, a County building permit may be required to repair damage to homes or other structures.  This is especially true if any structural damage is involved.  The County will also expedite processing and waive permit fees for fire victims.
6. After obtaining building permits from the Association (if any) and the County, construction can begin.

Because of the magnitude of the damage county-wide, local contractors, erosion control companies and architects may be quickly overwhelmed with work.  Therefore, it may be advisable to make recovery and rebuilding arrangements sooner rather than later with one notable caveat.  As with previous fires, there may be a few unscrupulous contractors seeking quick financial gain at the expense of fire victims.  Always check a company’s or individual’s license status before signing a contract.