Private property owners must remove debris by June 30, or the properties will be cleared by the county. (photo courtesy of L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger’s office)

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a motion on April 29 by Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, 3rd District, and Chair Kathryn Barger, 5th District, which will enable the county to remove fire debris from private properties if owners do not act by a June 30 deadline.

The accompanying ordinance also establishes a deadline of June 1 for properties to apply for a debris removal permit – a necessary step to protect the health of the public and natural environment.

“We know that recovery is incredibly difficult – and we appreciate the gravity of what residents are going through,” Horvath said. “While the vast majority of property owners have submitted their right of entry forms during this challenging time, we must take action to ensure that unaddressed properties don’t slow down our collective recovery.”

While a majority of the more than 12,000 fire-impacted property owners have opted in or out of the county’s Private Property Debris Removal program, approximately 400 properties in unincorporated Los Angeles County have opted out of the program and have not yet completed debris removal projects.

The board adopted an ordinance that requires property owners who have opted for private debris removal to obtain a permit no later than June 1 for debris removal. Once a permit is approved, property owners must complete debris removal by June 30. After that date, Los Angeles County Public Works will have authority to clear debris and recover costs through a lien on a property. All impacted property owners will have the opportunity to appeal before being subjected to summary abatement.

For information, visit re-covery.lacounty.gov/debris-removal.