Governor Declares State of Emergency to Assist Malibu with Franklin Fire Rebuilds
Governor Gavin Newsom has issued an emergency proclamation to support the City of Malibu’s recovery from the December 2024 Franklin Fire, which burned over 4,000 acres and damaged homes, schools, and infrastructure.
The proclamation recognizes that the scale of the disaster exceeds local capabilities and requires state-level support. It authorizes the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) to provide vital resources under the California Disaster Assistance Act.
The City is grateful for this action, which marks a critical step in Malibu’s recovery from both the Franklin Fire and the severe January 2025 windstorms. The declaration will help secure funding and resources needed to rebuild and restore our community.
| | | Covered 6 Security Services Extended | |
The City Council has approved a contract extension with Covered 6 for 24/7 armed patrols in neighborhoods impacted by the Franklin and Palisades Fires until Friday, September 19. This proactive measure is part of the City’s ongoing effort to ensure the safety and security of the fire-affected areas. Covered 6 continues to work closely with the City and LA County Sheriff's Department, responding to public safety incidents, assisting with community engagement, and more.
From June 16-22, Covered 6 has performed the following activities:
- 68 calls for service
- 1 trespassing call
- 45 suspicious incident investigations
- 1 drone detection
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June 30 Deadline Approaching: OWTS Inspections
To protect public health and safety, each Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) located on a red-tagged property in the Palisades Fire burn area is required to be pumped and capped. Each OWTS is required to have risers and covers installed by a City-registered OWTS Practitioner no later than Monday, June 30.
Property owners are required to take the following actions:
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Schedule an appointment with a City-registered OWTS Practitioner at MalibuCity.org/Practitioners
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Provide a pumping ticket and photos of capped tank(s) to the City via email econsultant@malibucity.org
- If the tank is destroyed/damaged, please visit the Building Safety Public Counter for permit issuance and next steps
| | For any questions regarding guideline requirements, contact econsultant@malibucity.org. | | June 30 Deadline Approaching: Private Debris Removal | |
As of Sunday, June 1, there are approximately 7 property owners who have been non-responsive regarding fire debris removal. In addition, approximately 7 property owners who previously opted out of the government-sponsored debris removal program have not yet submitted the required permit applications for private cleanup. Of the 14 properties referenced above, approximately 10 are located on beachfront lots.
The City has been proactively contacting these property owners to provide notice of the cleanup requirements and upcoming deadlines. If debris removal is not fully completed by Monday, June 30, the City will evaluate available options, including potential enforcement actions or court proceedings.
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Army Corps Support at City Hall
While the deadline to submit Right-of-Entry passes has passed, the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will continue to be on site at City Hall to share information on fire debris removal, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM.
If you have any questions, contact the Army Corps of Engineers Hotline at (213) 308-8305.
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Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund - Applications EXTENDED to July 7
DoorDash and Hello Alice are offering $10,000 grants through the Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund to help restaurants rebuild and recover.
The application deadline has been extended to July 7 at 3:00 PM.
Eligible restaurants must have faced a declared disaster within the past 12 months and have a brick-and-mortar location open for at least six months. No DoorDash partnership is required.
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Yolanda Bundy Appointed Director of New Community Development Department
The City of Malibu has appointed Yolanda Bundy as Director of the newly established Community Development Department (CDD), a major step in wildfire recovery and service improvement.
A nationally recognized leader in disaster recovery, wildfire rebuilding and sustainable development, Bundy brings nearly 20 years of public sector experience to the role. Yolanda has led rebuilding efforts for the Woolsey, Franklin, and Palisades Fires, and spearheaded the launch of the Malibu Rebuild Center.
The new Department brings together six critical divisions — Planning, Long-Range Planning, Building Safety, Code Enforcement, Environmental Programs, and Administration — under one roof, creating a centralized resource for permitting, development and environmental compliance.
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New Community Development Department Public Counter Hours
Beginning Monday, June 30, the Community Development Department is expanding its Public Counter hours to improve customer service:
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Community Development (Planning, Building Safety): Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (closed Wednesdays, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM)
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Biology: Tuesday, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
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Environmental Health: Monday – Thursday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
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Geology/ Coastal: Tuesday and Thursday, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
The Community Development Department is dedicated to supporting the professionals and residents working to rebuild and strengthen our community. Expanding our public counter hours helps increase efficiency, streamline development processes and provide more flexibility for builders, architects, and homeowners.
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