Storm damage repair
Storm damage repair and rebuild on the Orange County coast.
We repair and rebuild homes and commercial buildings damaged by this fall's coastal storms, from planning and permits through construction. Avorino is a licensed general building contractor, CSLB #1107538.
We repair and rebuild. We don't build seawalls or other shoreline protection, and we don't do emergency water extraction. A coastal engineer or a restoration company handles that work, and we can start once it's done.
Where things stand on the coast
As of October 13, 2026. Check your city's own page for the latest.
- Dana Point declared a local emergency on September 9 after Hurricane Marie swells reached homes on Beach Road in Capistrano Beach. The City posts the current tag counts on its Beach Road updates page (opens in a new tab).
- Laguna Beach declared a local emergency in September. Six oceanfront homes on Ocean Way and Lagunita Drive were yellow-tagged over compromised seawalls, according to the city.
- San Clemente and Orange County also declared local emergencies in September.
- Newport Beach declared a local emergency on October 9 after swell from Tropical Storm Rachel flooded streets on the Balboa Peninsula.
- On September 21 the Governor proclaimed a statewide emergency to prepare for this winter's expected strong El Niño. On October 9 the state said urgent emergency coastal permit requests can be acted on within 24 hours.
Your first week after storm damage
- 01
Respect the tag.
A red tag means do not enter. A yellow tag limits how a building can be used. Tag wording differs by city, so read yours and call your building department with questions. In Dana Point the city's inspection line is (949) 248-3564.
- 02
Document everything.
Take photos and video of the damage before anything is moved, and keep receipts for emergency work.
- 03
Call your insurer.
Standard homeowners policies don't cover flood damage, according to the California Department of Insurance. Ask what your policy covers and how to file.
- 04
Get the structure assessed.
If walls, decks, stairs or foundations moved, a licensed engineer's assessment is the first step before a repair can be planned.
- 05
Hire carefully.
Check any contractor's license, and never pay a deposit above 10 percent of the price or $1,000, whichever is less.
Who does what after storm damage
Repairing a coastal home takes several people, in a set order. Here's where each one fits, and where we come in.
Your city.
Inspects the building, issues the tag, and later issues building permits.
A restoration company.
Removes water and stops further damage inside.
A coastal engineer and the Coastal Commission.
Design and approve shoreline protection. On Beach Road in Dana Point, emergency coastal permits come from the Coastal Commission, not the City.
A structural engineer.
Assesses what can be saved and what the repair needs.
Avorino.
Plans the repair or rebuild, prepares permit drawings with your engineer, and builds it.
What we repair and rebuild
Repairs to damaged homes.
Rebuild damaged rooms, walls, decks and exteriors.
Tear-down and rebuild.
When repair doesn't make sense, we design and build a new home on your lot.
Additions and reconfiguration.
Rebuild with the space your family needs now.
Commercial buildings.
Storefronts, restaurants and offices.
Repair or rebuild? The 50 percent rule
In a FEMA flood zone, a home is "substantially damaged" when restoring it would cost 50 percent or more of its market value before the damage. A substantially damaged home must then meet current floodplain rules, which can mean elevating it. Your city's building official or floodplain administrator makes that call, not FEMA or your insurer.
The Coastal Act also exempts replacing a structure destroyed by a disaster from a coastal permit, when the new building keeps the same use and location, conforms to zoning, and is no more than 10 percent larger. Whether a damaged home qualifies is for the city or the Coastal Commission to decide.
FEMA, 44 CFR 59.1; Public Resources Code 30610(g)(1).
Permits on the coast
Scroll the table sideways to see who issues each permit.
| Permit | What it covers | Who issues it |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit | The repair or rebuild itself | Your city's building department |
| Coastal development permit | Development in the Coastal Zone, unless an exemption applies | Your city, under its Local Coastal Program, or the Coastal Commission |
| Emergency coastal permit | Urgent work to protect lives and property | The Coastal Commission on Beach Road in Dana Point; ask your city elsewhere |
An emergency permit sets its own deadlines and usually needs a regular permit afterwards.
For business owners
Storm damage hits storefronts, restaurants and offices too. We repair and rebuild commercial buildings and tenant improvements.
Cities on the coast
Dana Point
Beach Road homes in Capistrano Beach were tagged after the September swells.
Laguna Beach
Six oceanfront homes were yellow-tagged over compromised seawalls in September.
San Clemente
The city declared a local emergency in September.
Newport Beach
Rachel swell flooded Balboa Peninsula streets in October.
Huntington Beach
Huntington Harbour and Sunset Beach sit in FEMA flood zones AE and VE, so flood coverage and the 50 percent rule matter there.
How a storm repair project runs with us
- 01
A 45-minute call about your property, your tag and your insurance claim.
- 02
A review of the damage, with your engineer's assessment.
- 03
A written scope that separates our repair work from mitigation and shoreline work.
- 04
Plans and permits.
- 05
Construction and city inspections.
- 06
Final inspection by the city.
Hiring a contractor after a disaster
- Work of $1,000 or more in labor and materials must be done by a licensed contractor. Check a license on the CSLB website or by phone at (800) 321-2752.
- A home improvement down payment can't exceed $1,000 or 10 percent of the price, whichever is less.
- When a home damaged by a sudden disaster is repaired during a declared emergency, you have seven business days to cancel the contract.
- CSLB warns that contracting without a license in a declared disaster area is a felony.
Contractors State License Board; Business and Professions Code 7159; Civil Code 1689.7.
Frequently asked questions
Can a red-tagged home be repaired?
Often, yes. A tag records what the inspector found; your city's building department tells you what must be corrected, permitted and re-inspected before the tag can change.
Who changes a tag?
The building department that issued it, after re-inspection. On Beach Road, yellow tags have changed to green after re-inspection, and a tag can change again if damage worsens.
Do I need a coastal development permit to repair or rebuild?
Often, in the Coastal Zone, unless an exemption applies. Some repairs, and replacing a structure destroyed by a disaster on the same terms, can be exempt. Ask your city's planning department before you plan the work.
What is an emergency coastal permit?
A fast permit for urgent work to protect lives and property. On Beach Road in Dana Point the Coastal Commission issues it. It sets its own deadlines and usually needs a regular permit afterwards.
What is the 50 percent rule?
In a FEMA flood zone, if restoring a home costs 50 percent or more of its pre-damage market value, it must meet current floodplain rules. Your city's building official or floodplain administrator decides.
Does homeowners insurance cover wave damage and erosion?
Standard homeowners policies don't cover flood damage, and flood policies generally exclude gradual erosion. Ask your insurer what your policy covers.
How do I check a contractor?
Look up the license on the CSLB website or call (800) 321-2752. Never pay a deposit above 10 percent or $1,000, whichever is less.
How long will my repair take, and what will it cost?
It depends on the damage, your permits and your insurance. We'll give you a written scope and estimate after we see the property.
Do you build seawalls or remove water?
No. We repair and rebuild homes and commercial buildings. A coastal engineer handles shoreline protection, and a restoration company handles water removal.
Talk to us about your property
Tell us what happened and what your tag says. We'll tell you what the repair or rebuild involves.
Sources
- City of Dana Point, Beach Road Updates (opens in a new tab)
- Contractors State License Board, Disaster Information (opens in a new tab)
- FEMA, Substantial Damage FAQ (opens in a new tab)
- California Department of Insurance, Flood Facts (opens in a new tab)
- Governor of California, October 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab)