understanding
“LIke for Like”
Maybe you’ve heard of the magic way to speed up your rebuild process. Let’s break down what it means and how it impacts you.
*This information has been checked for accuracy and non-bias by licensed professionals, experts and representatives from National 501c3’s. Consult with a licensed professional about your specific situation.
what is
“Like for Like”
“Like for Like” is a system the building department created to simplify rebuilding for those who want to construct something very similar to what they had before.
What about
tax
reassessments?
Myth:
Like For Like means your property taxes won't get reassessed.
Fact:
All rebuilds will be reassessed, and if your new home is assessed at more than 120% of the value of your old home, new taxes will be applied.
The only way around this is if your home is "substantially similar" to the one that was lost, (in size, placement, finishes, height, square footage, etc).
“what are the rules?”
To qualify for Like For Like you must:
Build within Square footage limits
If your home was under 2,000 Square Feet (SF), you can add up to 200 additional SF
If your home was over 2,000 SF, you can add up to 10% additional SF
To qualify for tax exemption you must:
Build in a similar spot (on your lot) as your old house
Not exceed 120% of your previous home’s market value, which is determined by a third party appraiser.
Build something “substantially similar” to what you had.
“how would building
Like For Like
benefit me?”
Like For Like plans can speed up your permitting process slightly, however, the difference is not significant.
If you had setbacks or zoning that would not be allowed today, you may be able to grandfather them in with a Like For Like build.
Note: Building outside of current setback rules may preclude you from qualifying as a resilient home and make it harder to get insurance. Experts caution against this.
Is there a way to check if my plans qualify?
Yes. To check if your rebuild qualifies as Like For Like:
• Contact the County Assessor’s Office directly, here.
• Ask for a Section 70.5 exclusion form or guidance.
• Provide plans and specs before building if you want written confirmation.
Tip
“Like for Like” does not mean you have to use the same design. There are a number of architects offering plans at discounted rates or for free that might qualify you as “Like For Like.”
FAQs
*
FAQs *
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Yes, you can completely change the interior layout.
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Yes, you can change the exterior cladding, color, etc.
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10% or 200 square feet over what the County had on file for you before the fires (see above).
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No, it can be a completely different aesthetic, but the footprint does have to be substantially similar and it does have to be in the same spot as your old house.
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Not exactly.
For LA City: Additional allowance of 10%
For LA County: 10% more square footage than what the County had on file or 200 sq ft, whichever is higher.
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1. Size
• The square footage must be comparable to the original structure.
• Cannot exceed 200 or 10% additional SF, depending on size (See above)
2. Market Value
• The replacement home’s market value must be within about ±20% of the destroyed home’s pre-loss value.
• If it’s within 120%, the full base-year value transfers
• If above that, the excess is reassessed at current value
3. Utility
• It must serve the same purpose as the original:
• Examples: rebuilding a single-family home with another single-family home qualifies; switching from residential to retail does not.
4. Function
• The basic functionality should be the same: a kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, living spaces, etc.
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If you want to build a bigger house than 110% of what you had pre-fire, it is considered a “Custom Build.”
The City and County have committed to putting fire survivors' rebuild permits “at the front of the line” for review, but custom-built plans take longer to pass through plan check than “like for like” plans.
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Many entities offer pre-existing plans with various degrees of customization available. Because the plans already exist, it can cost a lot less to use these as a baseline for your home design.
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These are architectural plans that the City or County has already signed off on. These can’t be changed very much, but can speed through the permit process if a quicker timeline is your highest priority.