Nicolas Cage has obtained approval for emergency work to protect his $10.5 million Malibu home from a growing sinkhole.
The actor’s repair plans emerged in an October 14 report by Page Six, more than a month after the ground gave way outside the beachfront residence.
Cage, 62, purchased the roughly 4,000-square-foot house in 2024. He primarily lives in Nevada and was not believed to have been there when the collapse occurred, the outlet reported.
His representatives did not respond to requests for comment about the property.
Three Permits Cover Sandbags, Debris Removal and Soil Testing
Cage filed three applications within days of the incident, according to the records described by Page Six. One emergency building permit authorizes sandbags along the beach and against the exterior of the residence. The barriers are intended to protect the house from incoming waves and limit further coastal erosion.
Another approval covers removing broken asphalt in preparation for installing shoring, the supports used to stabilize an area during construction or repairs.
The third permits excavation to collect soil samples. Together, the approvals address wave protection, clearing the damaged site and investigating the ground beneath it.
The Driveway Collapsed Before Dawn
Los Angeles County firefighters and sheriff’s deputies responded to Sea Level Drive at approximately 5:45 a.m. on September 8, the Los Angeles Times reported.
The driveway had collapsed into an opening initially estimated at 30 feet by 30 feet. Broken pavement, a portable construction toilet, ladders and sections of fencing fell into the hole.
By the time Malibu issued its emergency proclamation later that day, officials described a cavity approximately 25 to 30 feet deep and 30 by 60 feet wide. The city said conditions associated with the collapse were believed to have begun developing the previous day.
The proclamation warned that high tides and rain could worsen the damage. Officials cited increased surf associated with Hurricane Marie and a coastal flood advisory in effect that evening.
Lost Road Access Put Neighboring Homes Under Evacuation Orders
The collapse also undermined the private road serving the neighborhood. Sea Level Drive provides its only vehicle entrance and exit, and the intact portion was too narrow for fire engines and other large emergency vehicles.
Malibu’s emergency proclamation identified seven residences that had been red-tagged because of hazardous conditions. Another 24 were to receive the designation because they had lost safe vehicle access, bringing the affected total to 31 properties.
A damaged gas line required Southern California Gas Company to respond, and gas service was shut off. No injuries were reported. Residents were ordered to evacuate. The American Red Cross established a temporary shelter at Malibu High School for those affected.
The Homeowners Association Is Responsible for Overseeing Repairs
In its September 11 update, Malibu announced that it was demobilizing its Emergency Operations Center as the initial response phase ended. The evacuation order and red tags remained in place at that point. Officials said the restrictions would continue until conditions were considered safe.
The neighborhood’s homeowners association, working with licensed engineers and contractors, was responsible for overseeing repair efforts. Malibu said it was helping secure permits for permanent work and would continue monitoring safety at the site. Homeowners were expected to cover most expenses, City Manager Joseph Irvin told the Times in September.