Los Angeles County’s new debris removal ordinance with strict June deadlines has sparked outrage among contractors and homeowners, while the government’s own cleanup crews face no similar time constraints.
At a Glance
- LA County has set June 1 deadline for permit applications and June 30 for completion of private debris removal from wildfire-damaged properties
- Property owners who fail to remove debris may face liens and government intervention
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is exempt from these deadlines, prompting accusations of unfair treatment
- Nearly 10,000 property owners have opted into government-led cleanup, while over 1,000 have chosen private contractors
- Contractors argue deadlines are unrealistic due to permitting delays and logistical challenges
Critical Deadlines Approach for Fire Victims
Los Angeles County officials are urging property owners affected by January’s devastating wildfires to make immediate decisions about debris removal. With a March 31 deadline for submitting Right of Entry forms already passed, attention has shifted to the June deadlines that will impact those who opted for private cleanup. The county has established June 1 as the final date for private contractors to apply for permits, and June 30 as the completion deadline for all debris removal projects.
Of the 12,100 eligible parcels destroyed in the Palisades and Eaton fires, county records show 9,756 property owners have opted into the government program, while 1,022 have chosen to manage their own cleanup. The remaining property owners who have neither opted in nor out still face mandatory cleanup requirements.
Los Angeles County has set a deadline of June 1 for private contractors to apply for permits to remove debris from burned homes — with a deadline of June 30 for contractors to complete their work. https://t.co/ba77xJu3eR
— Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) May 7, 2025
Government Cleanup vs. Private Contractors
The controversy centers on the different standards applied to government crews versus private contractors. While the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers continues its cleanup operation with an estimated completion date of January 2026, private contractors face the much earlier June 30 deadline. This disparity has led to accusations that the county is showing favoritism toward the federal agency, creating an uneven playing field for debris removal operations.
“All property owners will be required to clean up their properties, so we need all property owners to make a selection, whether it’s to opt in or opt out,” Christopher Sheppard said. “You can always withdraw [the ROE form] at a later date if you choose. We encourage everyone: if you’re unsure, just opt in.”
Property owners who fail to meet the county’s deadlines risk having their properties declared a “nuisance,” allowing government intervention with cleanup costs added as liens against the property. This potential financial burden has created additional stress for fire victims already struggling with recovery efforts.
L.A. County Sets Controversial June Deadlines for Debris Removal https://t.co/gXJulXHvHV
— Steve Ferguson (@lsferguson) May 8, 2025
Largest Debris Removal Operation in Wildfire History
The current cleanup effort represents the largest debris removal operation ever conducted by the Army Corps of Engineers in a wildfire zone. Officials report the weight of debris removed so far equals roughly 100 Eiffel Towers. Despite criticism over the deadline disparity, the government program has made significant progress, with 490 sites already cleared and operations continuing at a record pace.
“The Army Corps of Engineers are heroes in Los Angeles, are heroes in the Palisades,” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass stated.
The government cleanup includes removal of hazardous materials, installation of safety measures, and application of erosion prevention techniques. County officials emphasize that opting into the government program provides comprehensive cleanup at no direct cost to homeowners, though some residents have expressed concerns about insurance implications and limited scope of services.
Contractors Push Back Against “Unrealistic” Deadlines
Private contractors have voiced strong opposition to the county’s timeline, arguing that the June deadlines are unrealistic given ongoing delays in permit issuance and the logistical challenges following the January 7 fires. Some fear the ordinance might deter contractors from accepting new clients, potentially slowing the overall recovery process for affected communities.
“This isn’t intended to be punitive for people who are beginning the process in good faith. If you pull a permit and work is being prepped it’s unlikely that action will be taken June 30 if everything is not cleared. Now, for those who haven’t pulled a permit or responded at all — the county will take action while USACE is here and able to perform the work at scale. This is about public health and safety and making sure we get to the rebuilding phase.”, said a spokesperson for Supervisor Horvath.
Developer Rick Caruso has publicly criticized the slow debris removal and rebuilding process, pointing to obstacles created by governing authorities. Other stakeholders have raised concerns about potential environmental impacts and the decision not to conduct soil testing for contaminants during the cleanup process, highlighting the complex balance between speed and thoroughness in disaster recovery operations.
