All guides
Guides to readbefore you build
Each guide lists its sources at the end. Rules change, so we check them again with the permitting office on every project.
Rebuilding in Pacific Palisades under the fire orders
How the City of Los Angeles permits a Palisades fire rebuild as of late October 2026: the 110% rule, coastal and hillside reviews, fee waivers and faster paths. Read the guide
California ADU rules in plain words, as of late 2026
What state law lets you build on a residential lot, what a city cannot require, the 60-day clock, and what LA County and the City of LA add after the fires. Read the guide
Hiring a contractor in California: what to check first
How to read a CSLB license record, what a home improvement contract must include, payment and cancellation rules, liens and the LA fire warnings. Read the guide
