In a unanimous decision, the County Board of Supervisors has moved to waive certain fees for residents impacted by the Coches Fire, which swept through the region on September 8. Owners who lost homes will see waivers for debris removal, vehicle disposal, rebuilding, and document replacement costs, as reported by the County of San Diego.
The initiative is designed to ease the financial burden for those who suffered property loss, saving them an estimated $18,000 on assorted permits and plan checks. The Coches Fire claimed four mobile homes and three accessory structures, making these waivers particularly significant for the affected residents. In addition to these savings, the county noted that disposal costs could be reduced by up to $4,300.
More than just financial relief, the Board's decision includes personalized support from a recovery liaison for each affected property owner. This point person serves as a caseworker, streamlining access to recovery resources and offering guidance on permitting and rebuilding processes. Meanwhile, household hazardous waste collection is made freely available through a contractor connected to the County Public Works (DPW).
Residents, or their contractors, must inform the customer service representative that their service is for a Coches Fire-damaged property to have solid waste disposal fees waived. The collection is available for franchise haulers, transfer stations, and landfills for fire debris. For any queries on debris disposal, the DPW can be reached via email at [email protected] or by phone at (858) 694-2456.
