This ready-to-issuance sheet, allows us to apply for a building permit.
The architectural firm of Marmol Radziner is handling our new home rebuild, today it was stamped and ready for the permit to build.
Our cherished 1939 home, which had been remodeled by that firm in 1994, was burned to the ground because firefighters said they had no water. (Never mind the Maggie Gilbert Aquatic Center a block away, had two full pools of water or that our neighbors on either side had pools.)
When we worked with Leo Marmol and Ron Radziner the first time, they were pleasant, honest and attentive, and most importantly professional.
After everything burned, including our fire-hardened home (stucco, asphalt roof, steel beam, no attic vents and a sprinkler system in the garage), we turned to Ron and Leo again in February. Once we swallowed the hard reality of the costs of new construction ($800 to $1,000 sq.ft.), we pushed on, certain that the insurance company would be helpful.
We made two assumptions: one that Marmol Radziner would be exceptional and two, that State Farm Insurance would pay.
One assumption was absolutely correct. Today, July 25, I went with our Project Manager Bernardo Teran and our Job Captain Markus Russell to Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) Metro Building at 201 Figueroa.
Prior to the appointment, the plan checker had sent them an email of what to bring and they loaded up the car with their “babushka cart” a folding shopping car, with five rolls of architectural drawings: the initial copy of the plans that had corrections on it, two new copies with corrections made, an architectural copy, plus numerous paperwork to show that the grading bond and graffiti removal had been signed—with receipts.
On the way down, both marveled at the speed to which the City had issued permits and clearances. Upon receiving a reply from the Bureau of Engineering in just 12 minutes, originally Russell thought it was just an acknowledgment that his request had been received. But “it was incredible, it was a clearance.”
For another clearance, “It took a week,” Teran said, and added, “that’s unheard of.”
Additionally, they had received a call from Building and Safety a couple of weeks ago, querying them about 764 Radcliffe and asking if the architects needed anything. Neither had ever heard of the City calling to check in on a single-family home construction before.
The downtown building is large and if one were not familiar with where the different departments are, it might seem like a maze.
Accompanied by the two, we arrived in one of the offices upstairs easily in time for the 10 a.m. appointment. Russell had a piece of paper that listed the pages where changes were made. It made it easy for the DBS employee to page through and check.
Markus Russell (left) and Bernardo Teran hand the planchecker Vivian Lao the architectural papers.
The plan checker asked about solar. I responded that we did own solar, we would like to have it again, but the cost was too high. On the plans, it notes the location and the requirements to set it up. (Since Governor Gavin Newsom was featured in the July 24 Wall Street Journal (“Clean Energy Powers California Economic Growth”), I sent a note to his public information officer and asked, “Will the Governor find funds to help those people who had solar panels and help replace them? Insurance is not replacing them, and most of us do not have money to replace them. Is there funding to help make us whole regarding those panels?” If there is a response, I’ll update.)
Vivan Lao hand-stamped nearly 300 pages.
The plan checker was satisfied the plans had been updated and then hand stamped about 100 pages on each of the three documents (two new copies and the architectural copy). The architectural set is to determine property tax, one copy goes toward microfilming for city records and another copy is for the construction site.
The entire process took about 35 minutes. When we start building, the permit can be pulled at the DBS site on Sawtelle.
Marmol Radziner have worked with the City for the past 30 years and know what is required. Many outside architects do not have the information about what is typically required, which means their process is longer as they learn the ins and outs of L.A.
Additionally, if a private citizen were to attempt this, having no experience, it could seem overwhelming and difficult. But from a professional’s perspective, the City has really made it easy to obtain a building permit.
Teran said, “the process has been expedited for fire victims.” In our case, it took about a month to get all the clearances, and the project stamped ready to build.
It took far longer for my husband and I to agree on what would go in the new house, then it did for permitting.
The Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety on Figueroa Street has striking lobby.
What did you mean when you said you had to sign for graffiti removal?
Sue,
Congratulations Sue. You folks are one of the few to have such an experience. gives the rest of us hope!
BTW, people havre realized that the city feels its hands are tied re the SB9 duplex invasion, Talk of getting Newsom to issue a Exec Order to not apply SB9 in the Palisades fire zone. They are looking for people with some sort of access to Newsom, But will try to get the Mayor, Traci Park to also try. I wonder if legal action could be taken to get an injunction against the city for permitting this due to the dangers from density. Need a real shark attorney to do this for the community. You’d think there would be one in the burn zone who would stand up,
Thank you Sue for sharing your experiences. It helps me better understand the process ahead of me. Love your State Farm comments. Your dry humor and common sensibilities give me a chuckle and a smile.
Congratulations Pascoe’s!! Can’t wait to see your new build! Upward and onward. So glad we are neighbors. I really enjoy your articles each week!!
Yes, believe it or not, homeowners who are building have to sign a notarized paper saying they will make sure if graffiti is on the job site, the owner will remove it. As we were driving downtown, the graffiti on the underpasses and walls was mindboggling–maybe the city should sign something similiar?
Sue
Congratulations to the entire team!
Great example for understanding the process and working with professionals who have the expertise to get it done right!!
It’s always faster to do it right in the first place-
I am assuming that solar installation will be reimbursed by State Farm under the Ordinance and Law section of our dwelling policy, because it was required as of Jan 7, 2025 under CA state code for all new construction. Has something changed, or is your State Farm policy different from mine?
Project manager, job captain, and two architects to pull a permit. And someone actually thinks that the permit system is efficient. What happened to an owner hiring an architect to draw up plans then submitted for corrections. Does one now need a platoon of experts to pull a permit
I am THRILLED for you! You’re coming home! I’m hoping to follow you but it’s slow. I was lucky to have a wonderful insurance company that started putting money in my bank account 3 days after my home went away. You give me hope…
Two architects — (and me along for the ride). I’m not saying the permit system is efficient–but it has been “streamlined” for rebuilding– Building and Safety are extemely cautious–and I’m guessing the reason is, if something would be done “correctly” there would be law suits against the city, hence the bureaucracy. Once again I’m not defending the system, just reporting on it.
Sue
Our solar panels were installed before the law went into effect–so who knows if State Farm will replace them? That insurance company has questioned everything.
Sue
Bravo! So nice to read positive news!
We live on a shared driveway – six of the nine homes lost during Woolsey. Today … +6 ½ years later and the last 2 homes are finally underway.
Did insurance approve $800-$1k per square foot … is there a Part II?
Our insurance has not approved anything yet–we may be able to afford the house, but not fixtures or toilets. We’ll probably have to build an outhouse and tell the City its an ADU.
Sue
Happy you had a pleasant process with her. Our plans have been with here and the city for almost 3 months now. We originally built our house that burned down and move in 2012. The only changes we have made are code upgrades. She has come back to us with corrections 3 times now. It is infuriating and I feel defeated. They make it so hard to rebuild.