The safety and well-being of our residents is our highest priority. The City of Poway is committed to helping residents rebuild in Poway. The City Council has taken a number of actions to assist residents in their reconstruction efforts.
- Erosion Control: The City is providing basic erosion control protection for homes. Once granted permission, City staff is entering properties to evaluate the need for erosion control. As needed, the City's contractor can then place appropriate erosion control measures behind homes. For more information on erosion control, see the Clean-Up section below.
- Streamlined Permit Process and Fee Waivers: The City has streamlined the permitting process, in order to get residents back into homes as quickly as possible. The City Council approved waiving fees for temporary use permits for on-site trailers, demolition permits, minor development review permits, and the re-establishment of services (such as temporary power poles). The City will also consider waiving building permit plan check, building permit, and fire department plan check fees in instances where property owners can provide evidence that the insurance company will not pay these fees.
- Building Plans: Depending on the age of the structure and type of information needed, the city may have your house plans. To check if we have your plans on file, call the Building Division at (858) 668-4645. Please be aware that if we do have the plans on file, you will need to have the plans modified to reflect current Building and Fire Codes before you submit for a Building Permit.
Listed below are a number of resources that should answer many of the questions you may have about the recovery process.
Wildland Urban Interface
The City Council adopted the standard statewide building code, which requires structures in interface areas to be less easily ignited by wildland fires. This is achieved through building construction methods and materials, applying defensible space principles, and providing for vegetative fuel management practices.
Wildland Interface Map (5mb pdf)
Wildland Urban Interface - Making your home ignition resistant (PowerPoint presentation)
Clean-Up
Erosion Control: City staff assessed erosion control needs and priorities within and around the fire burn area. Click the following links for more information about erosion and flood control and what you can do. If you have any questions about erosion control in your area, please call (858) 668-4668.
Post-Fire Mitigation: Do's and Don'ts
Pool Cleaning and Emptying: click here for more information on this topic
Fire Ash: The County of San Diego has information on the safe cleanup of fire ash. You can also visit their website at www.sdcountyrecovery.com.
San Diego Vector Control: (858) 694-2888 www.sdcounty.ca.gov/deh/chd/vector/
Hazardous Materials: If you have hazardous materials that need to be disposed of, please call the San Diego County HazMat Information Line at: (619) 338-2231.
Demolition Contractors: A sample listing of demolition contractors provided at the request of the public. (Updated 12/11/07)
Demolition, Debris Removal, Landfills & Recycling: A list of resources on where to go and who to call when beginning to clean up your property. (Resource list updated as of 12/13/07)
Landscaping
Water conservation incentives for newly constructed single family homes: click here
Fire resistant/water-efficient landscaping: click here for times and dates of upcoming workshops
Counseling Services
The Palomar Family Counseling Service is offering free support groups for families with children who have emotional issues as a result of the Firestorm. The Groups began the week of October 29th. For a schedule and more information, please contact: (858) 748-3610.
Community Volunteers
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has volunteers willing to assist as well as donations for goods and services. Contact Merrilee Boyack, 858-748-6703. LDS Volunteer Services
Register Your Cell Phone and E-mail Address with Alert San Diego
Residents are now able to register multiple cell phone numbers and e-mail addresses with San Diego County's Reverse 9-1-1 system, called Alert San Diego. It will take up to 24 hours for a newly registered cell phone number or e-mail address to be updated into the system. Alert San Diego will provide emergency alerts, including evacuation notices, to your cell phone and e-mail address. This will be in addition to the land line calls that will also be made. To register your cell phone or e-mail address, please visit: http://www.alertsandiego.org.