How many pre-approved plans do you offer?

As of December 2025, we have 20 pre-approved plans*, including ADU and garage options. 9 additional designs are under plan check review, and we are working on continually expanding the Catalog of available designs based on feedback we receive from the community.

*Pre-approved in LA County, available for residents in the Altadena & Pasadena area. We are currently working on pre-approvals in LA City for use in the Pacific Palisades.

View The Catalog

Will Foothill Catalog pre-approved plans be available to those in Pasadena?

The City of Pasadena will accept LA County’s pre-approved plans. Please contact the Pasadena Planning and Community Development Department for more details.

Will Foothill Catalog pre-approved plans be available to those in the Palisades?

We are actively working with the City of Los Angeles to pre-approve the first Coastal Catalog homes for the Pacific Palisades. If you are a homeowner in the Palisades interested in rebuilding with a Catalog home, please contact us!

What will the cost be to license Foothill Catalog plans?

For fire survivors: It will cost $5 per square foot to acquire the license for a pre-approved Foothill Catalog plan.   For example, the license for a 1,500 square foot home will be $7,500. Catalog home, ADU and garage plans will include a full set of construction documents, structural engineering, Title 24 calculations, and pre-approved permit-status.  As a nonprofit organization, we are also actively fundraising to help offset or cover these licensing costs for those who are severely underinsured and uninsured.

For non fire survivors: It will cost $10 per square foot to acquire the license for a pre-approved Foothill Catalog plan.

What will the construction costs be to rebuild with a Foothill Catalog plan?

The Catalog Home model is designed to lower building expenses through several key strategies: leveraging economies of scale, utilizing repeatable and predictable designs (which result in minimal or no change orders during construction), and incorporating contractor and builder input early in the design phase to optimize efficiency. 

Based on previous bids, our current construction cost target is around $450-$500 / sqft in the Altadena/Pasadena region. Construction costs will vary based on the selected design, builder, and site conditions. Learn more about our process including contractor selection and bidding: Rebuild Roadmap

Will there be a range of home styles and sizes available? 

Yes, a key pillar of TFCF’s mission is to retain the character of Altadena and the other affected communities expressed through architectural style, and to meet the homeowners’ needs and wishes. It is crucial that the Catalog comprises a range of styles and home sizes.

• The architectural styles represented in the Catalog’s current and future plans include California Bungalow, California Ranch, Spanish Revival, English Revival, Mid-Century Modern, Minimal Traditional, American Colonial Revival and French Revival.

• Current Catalog offerings include a variety of styles and range in scale from 495 sqft ADUs to 2,400 sqft single family homes.   Detached garage plans of varying sizes and styles are also availale.

The Catalog will continue to expand based on feedback we receive from homeowners and the community.

Will the Catalog’s designs consider fire resiliency and sustainability? 

Yes. It is important that we are all rebuilding better with resiliency and sustainability in mind. Through material selections, smart detailing, and informed design, we can ensure that resilient, sustainable, and regionally sensitive design can be accessible and attainable for as many people as possible. All Foothill Catalog homes will be designed to meet High Fire Severity Zone codes (CBC Chapter 7A) along with IBHS Standards.

Will TFCF’s plans be customizable?

The Foothill Catalog Foundation was created to support fire-affected homeowners - especially those without the time, resources, or capacity to pursue a traditional rebuild through well-designed, resilient, and sustainable Catalog homes. 

Because these plans are pre-approved by LA County to streamline permitting and lower costs, the layouts cannot be customized. Homeowners must choose from the existing plan options as designed. In some cases, a mirrored version of a plan may be permitted to better suit your lot.

A Foothill Catalog pre-approved plan set may not be altered by a builder or another architect after the plan is licensed.

Interior choices that do not affect permitting documents - such as paint, tile, cabinetry, fixtures, and fittings - can typically be selected in coordination with your builder.

What if I need a custom solution? 

For those looking for custom or semi-custom solutions, we highly encourage you to engage a design professional. A good place to start is AIA Pasadena Foothill’s “Ask an Architect” program, where you may consult one-on-one with an architect at no cost. More information can be found here.

Will the Foothill Catalog include pre-approved plans for accessory structures such as garages and accessory dwelling units (ADU)?

Yes, homeowners will be able to select garage and ADU plans, as separately pre-approved accessory structures, either as part of their site rebuild or on its own. 

Detached Garages:  

• Homeowners will be able to choose their preferred detached garage plan separately from the house plan. It will be bundled in with their site plan submission.

• The garages will most likely encompass three sizes: 20x20, 22x22, and 24x24. The Catalog might also include a tandem garage.

• Planned Architectural styles: Spanish Revival, Craftsman, Ranch, Tudor, and Midcentury.

Attached Garages:

• Some home designs will include an attached garage option. 

• An approved detached garage plan may not be attached to an approved home plan that does not include an attached garage.

ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units):

• Anything under 1200 sq ft will be offered as both a primary residence or an ADU.  In Phase 1, The Montana, The Delaware, and The Elderflower may be built as ADUs. 

• Phase 2 will include up to 6 additional ADU options ranging from 450 to 800 sqft. 

Garage/ADU Combinations

• See La Abuelita & The Oma

My site has a slope.  Will I be able to use a preapproved Foothill Catalog plan?

It depends on the degree of slope.  

• If your lot slope is 3:1 or steeper:

• Under LA County guidelines, the threshold for lot slope in pre-approved plans is 3:1, meaning for every 3 feet of horizontal distance, the grade change cannot exceed 1 foot vertically.  Pre-approved plans cannot be used on lots with a slope steeper of 3:1 or steeper.

• Homes on steeper lots typically require site-specific engineering, grading plans, and foundation strategies, which are currently beyond the scope of our pre-approved model.

• If your lot slope is less than 3:1: 

• Every design will come with a slab on grade or raised foundation option. The raised foundation can be used to mitigate slopes below 3:1.

My site has been cleared. What other steps can I take to prepare for rebuilding?

Regardless of what rebuild method you chose, consider completing the following tasks to be prepared for the construction phase. Visit LA County Recovers for more information on what tasks may be required before construction can begin.

1. Soil Testing - if you plan to take out a bank loan, a lender may require a soils report to understand the potential for contamination, structural instability, and for liability and risk management. Even if you do not need to take out a loan, a soils test will provide bearing capacity and potential for compaction and instability through a geotechnical report. 

2.  Survey - Hire a surveyor to map "the lay of the land". A Boundary Survey will establish the property lines, ensuring clear ownership boundaries. A Topographic Survey maps the land's surface features, including elevations, contours, and drainage patterns. An ALTA Land Title Survey provides a detailed evaluation of the property's boundaries, easements, encroachments, and other legal features. This is often required by title companies and lenders before closing but may not be as necessary for single family lots. 

We recommend visiting an one-stop permit center to understand any site specific requirements you may have prior to completing any site or survey work.

Rebuild LA Architecture also offers valuable resources to help homeowners understand the intricacies of the building process. Familiarizing yourself with these details can help ensure your project aligns with your vision and requirements.

How can I learn more about the Habitat for Humanity partnership and Plans?

In partnership with San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity, TFCF has developed three Catalog home designs based around one efficient floor plan, that can be built by SGV Habitat. Each home features 3 beds, 2 baths and ranges from 1260 to 1290 square feet, with an option for a detached garage. While sharing the same floor plan, the character of each home differs, reflecting the variety in architectural identity and regional specificity of the foothill locale. If you are interested in assistance with household items, minor or major home repairs or considering Habitat for Humanity for rebuilding, please visit https://sgvhabitat.org/