MALIBU, Calif. — A Malibu family is preparing to return home after the Palisades Fire, marking a major step in the city’s long rebuilding process.
The city announced Monday that Denise and George Toberman’s rebuilt home in the Big Rock area has received the first Certificate of Occupancy issued for a home reconstructed after the January 2025 Palisades Fire. On the same day, Malibu also reached 100 permits authorizing property owners to begin rebuilding.
The milestones were announced during the Sept. 14 Malibu City Council meeting.
The Tobermans received their rebuilding permit in October 2025 and completed construction about 11 months later. The Certificate of Occupancy was issued after the home completed its required inspections, allowing the family to move back into the property.
For Denise Toberman, the milestone represents the return to something that had been out of reach since the fire.
“Coming home is something I have looked forward to since the fire,” Toberman said, describing the rebuilding process as one that requires patience, persistence and cooperation.
She also expressed hope that the completed home would encourage other Malibu residents who are still working through the rebuilding process.
The city’s latest numbers show that rebuilding activity is continuing beyond the two milestones announced Monday. As of Sept. 14, Malibu had issued 370 planning approvals, while 66 projects had moved into building plan review.
The rebuilding process generally begins with planning review, which determines what can be rebuilt on a property. Approved projects then move into building plan review to make sure proposed construction meets applicable building codes and safety requirements.
Once construction begins, city inspectors conduct required inspections throughout the project. A final inspection must be completed before a Certificate of Occupancy is issued and the home can be occupied.
Malibu has also established dedicated resources for fire-affected property owners, including the Malibu Rebuild Center, where homeowners and their professional teams can work with city staff and other agencies on permitting and rebuilding questions.
City officials said the 100th construction permit represents another step for families still waiting to rebuild, while the Tobermans’ completed home provides a tangible example of what the recovery process can ultimately lead to.
“Every permit represents a family taking another step toward rebuilding their home and their life in Malibu,” City Manager Joe Irvin said.
For Malibu residents whose homes were destroyed or damaged in the fire, the rebuilding process can involve insurance, design, permitting, construction and multiple rounds of review. The city continues to provide assistance as more properties move through those stages.
The Tobermans’ return home now stands as the first completed residential rebuild to receive a Certificate of Occupancy in Malibu following the Palisades Fire, while the 100th permit signals that more reconstruction projects have moved from planning into active construction.
