Pacific Palisades Rebuilds After Wildfire, Residents Return

Sunday, June 21, 2026

Seventeen months after the 2025 wildfires destroyed much of Pacific Palisades, many residents have completed rebuilding their homes and are beginning to move back. This gradual return signals a revitalization of the community, despite longer permit processing times slowing some reconstruction efforts.

Seventeen months after the 2025 wildfires devastated Pacific Palisades, residents are beginning to return as rebuilding efforts gain momentum. Many homeowners, whose properties were destroyed in the fires, have completed reconstruction and started moving back into the area, signaling a gradual recovery of the community.

Among those preparing to return is Sue Kohl, who lost her home in the disaster. She expressed excitement about the prospect of rejoining the neighborhood, hopeful that numerous neighbors and friends will also come back. Fellow resident Rashad Rhodes described the reopening of Pacific Palisades Village as a sign that the area is “alive again,” noting that both residents and local businesses are beginning to resume normal activities.

Reconstruction activity has intensified throughout 2026 but has also led to longer permit review times. Building approvals that once took an average of 31 days have now extended to approximately 112 days, reflecting the increased volume of rebuild applications. Despite the backlog, some families have successfully obtained Certificates of Occupancy, which authorize them to occupy their newly rebuilt homes.

Medical professional Morteza Khaleghi, whose children were displaced by the fires, expressed eagerness for his family’s return and the community’s continued recovery. “We can’t wait to come back and be part of the community again,” he said.

Longtime resident Adalee Foster recalled her childhood memories of Pacific Palisades before it became known as Palisades Village, highlighting familiar landmarks like the movie theater and local shops. She suggested that the reopening represents an initial step toward restoring normalcy, anticipating that as homes are rebuilt and businesses reopen, the neighborhood will gradually be revived.

The ongoing reconstruction and return of residents mark a significant phase in the recovery of Pacific Palisades, with both community members and local enterprises contributing to the renewed vitality of the area after the devastating wildfires.