Scott- The only way around this is to buy a tear down and do a remodel while living in the mobile home. There are a few properties in Topanga that could qualify as tear downs where you'll be paying a little bit over it's land value.

Like previous answers, it depends on local ordinances and you must be in the latter stages of construction. If you have any questions feel free to send me a message.

In Malibu, you can only put a mobile home as a temporary living quarters while you are in the actual building phase and you have installed your septic system. You must have a permit to do so.

Depends, probably you will have to apply to the Coastal commission, submit number of reports like seismic, soil, structural integrity etc. It takes a long time, since this is akin to new construction, and CC governing Malibu (don't know if they also control Topanga) is very strict

Hi Scott: Have you purchased the land yet? The answer to this question can depend upon where the land is.