Rancho Santa Fe Association
Member Assistance Program

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

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

For homes that were destroyed 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. 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.  Debris removal can be expensive and will likely also include removal of the concrete slab.  Participation in a regional program will:
   1. Involve additional monitoring
   2. Take longer complete
   3. Require a right-of entry form signed by the property owner
3. For properties with slopes or 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. Work with an architect and contractor to prepare new residential architectural drawings.  While new homes will require Art Jury approval, the Association will expedite plan check and permit processing for fire victims.  In addition, the Association will waive permit fees for homes up to the equivalent square footage as the existing home that was destroyed.  (For example, if a home that was destroyed was 5,000 square feet, fees would be waived for a new home of up to 5,000 square feet.  Using the same example, if a new 8,000 square foot home is proposed, fees will be charged for the additional 3,000 square feet.)
5. Once the Art Jury approves your project, your plans should then be submitted to the County Building Division of the Department of Planning and Land Use.  The County will also expedite processing and waive permit fees for fire victims.
6. After obtaining building permits from the Association 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.

Based on past experience with home rebuilding after the 2003 fires in other parts of the county, completing all of the steps listed above (i.e. working with your insurance company, clean-up, architectural design and permitting) make take anywhere from 1 to 3 years.