Pasadena: Resource Collection - Rebuilding After the Eaton Fire
While attention and resources have been heavily focused on areas like Altadena and Pacific Palisades, the damage in Pasadena—though smaller in scale—has often been overlooked in the broader conversation. But the good news is: the City of Pasadena has responded quickly and effectively, setting up recovery resources faster than any other city we've worked with so far.
This blog post is a direct guide to official resources, all quoted and linked from verified City of Pasadena and LA County websites (you’ll see the full URLs). I've also added tips to help you navigate these systems, understand your zoning, and request the support you need as a homeowner.
As a Pasadena local, I’m genuinely proud of how quickly our city moved to support its residents. And as your local architect and neighbor, I want you to know: you’re not forgotten. Even if you’re part of a smaller audience group, we will continue building out guides and resources to help you through your recovery and rebuilding journey.
LA County – Regional Disaster Recovery Resources
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This site includes FEMA, EPA, and other shared resources for the greater Eaton Fire area. Some Pasadena-specific information is included.
https://recovery.lacounty.gov/pasadena-recovers/
Pasadena City – General Disaster Recovery
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The City’s main page with general rebuilding info, inspection updates, and an interactive property map.
https://www.cityofpasadena.net/eaton-fire/ -
A dedicated collection of city-led services, support, and helpful links.
https://www.cityofpasadena.net/eaton-fire/recovery-resources/
Pasadena Planning and Building Department – Fire Recovery Resources
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Overview of planning and recovery efforts specific to 2025 fire recovery.
https://www.cityofpasadena.net/planning/#2025-disaster -
Schedule free Zoom consultations with city planners. Helpful for rebuilding, ADU feasibility, and permitting.
https://www.cityofpasadena.net/planning/recovery-virtual-consultations/ -
This is the main site for the interactive map, showing building safety reports and on-site hazards.
https://www.cityofpasadena.net/planning/building-and-safety/safety-precautions/ -
Request an official safety evaluation after fire or tree damage:
Phone: (626) 744-4200
Email: BuildingRecovery@CityOfPasadena.net
How to find designated contact person from the interactive map.
Tip: The City of Pasadena has assigned one Community Connector and one Rebuild Connector to each damaged property.
To find your assigned contacts:
Go to the interactive map either on the “Pasadena Eaton Fire Disaster Recovery” page or “Safety Precautions for Re-entry to Disaster Area” page.
Use the interactive map, click on the dot for your property, and look to the left panel under “Contact Information.”
Pasadena Planning and Zoning Tools
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Includes zoning tables, forms, applications, and key links.
https://www.cityofpasadena.net/planning/planning-division/current-planning-and-zoning/
Note: Most fire-damaged homes fall under RS-2, RS-4, or RS-6 zones. Some are also in Hillside Overlay zones HD and HD-1. -
Use this tool to search your property’s zoning, overlays, and parcel data.
https://pasgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/Embed/index.html?webmap=2c3295b27e0649a181db3512bf0940d4&extent=-118.1904,34.1223,-118.0637,34.1933&zoom=true&previewImage=false&scale=false&search=true&searchextent=true&details=true&legend=true&active_panel=details&disable_scroll=true&theme=light -
We’ve compiled direct excerpts from the Pasadena Municipal Code for easy access.
Pasadena RS and RM-12 zoning code 2025.pdf
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Find out what’s allowed, get checklists, and explore examples of ADUs for fire rebuilds.
https://www.cityofpasadena.net/planning/planning-division/community-planning/accessory-dwelling-units/
American Institute of Architects (AIA) Pasadena & Foothill Chapter
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If you have specific questions about design or rebuilding your home, the local AIA chapter has a team of volunteer architects available to help free of charge. These professionals can assist with early-stage planning, feasibility, design options, and navigating city approvals.
https://www.aiapf.org/wildfiresupport
Your Pasadena City Council District
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For people around Glen Ave and Walworth Ave, if you need help getting more information or want to speak with someone about neighborhood-wide support, reach out to your council office:
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For people around the Pasadena High School and the Don Benito Fundamental, if you need help getting more information or want to speak with someone about neighborhood-wide support, reach out to your council office:
Final Notes
If you’re starting to navigate the rebuild process, our strongest recommendation is to speak with an architect first. Architects can help you interpret codes, understand your property’s specific requirements, and often offer tailored strategies that save both time and cost down the line.
To start, you can reach out to the American Institute of Architects – Pasadena & Foothill Chapter. They offer free support from licensed volunteer architects to answer your questions and guide you through early planning steps:
https://www.aiapf.org/wildfiresupport
If you wish to speak directly with a city official, there are two great options:
Use the interactive map found on the city’s disaster pages to locate your assigned Community Connector and Rebuild Connector
Or book a virtual consultation with the Pasadena Planning Department here:
https://www.cityofpasadena.net/planning/recovery-virtual-consultations/
This guide is also being added to Post Fire LA, a growing nonprofit initiative working to build a centralized, one-stop resource for all fire-affected communities across Los Angeles County. Many volunteers like us are contributing to this shared effort. We will further share the link once the resource is done. https://www.postfirela.org/
If you’re a community member and have questions or don’t know where to start, feel free to reach out to us—we’re here to help.
And if you're a fellow architect, designer, or planner with helpful resources, insights, or tools to share, please don’t hesitate to contribute. Together, we can make the rebuild process a little clearer, and a lot more supportive, for everyone involved.