Los Angeles Zoning & Planning Entitlements
If you are planning a construction project or opening a business in Los Angeles, you have to make sure you are following all zoning restrictions in the city.
What is zoning in Los Angeles?
The Los Angeles General Plan breaks the city into 34 community plans. Each of these plans has its own policy document and land use map. There are neighborhood-specific goals and strategies aimed at bolstering housing, job opportunities and economic growth across Los Angeles.
The zoning determines what kinds of projects can be constructed in which areas and what kinds of businesses are allowed to operate.
What are Planning Entitlements in Los Angeles?
The Los Angeles City Planning department is in charge of approving a myriad of project applications every year – from large-scale apartment developments to retaining walls at private homes. Planning Entitlements are the approvals needed to develop or change a property according to the city’s zoning rules.
There are three main types of planning entitlements:
- By-Right/Ministerial Approvals – These approvals apply to projects that meet all the zoning and development regulations and don’t need any additional planning approvals. These approvals can proceed straight along to the city’s Department of Building and Safety for a building request.
- Administrative Approvals – Some projects may require an administrative approval to verify that the project complies with existing zoning rules. Either a public counter or a planner will complete the review before you can apply for a building permit.
- Discretionary Approvals – You will be instructed to request a discretionary entitlement if it is determined that your development project does not comply with Zoning Code, or its size, use or location triggers additional review. This application process may require a public hearing before City Planning issues a recommendation or a determination letter.
Can a permit expeditor help me with zoning and planning entitlements?
An expert permit expeditor can absolutely help with all your zoning and planning entitlement needs. Permit expeditors have extensive experience with the permitting process in Los Angeles – whether it be building permits or public health and business permitting. As with any bureaucracy, navigating the red tape in Los Angeles can be excruciating. So, take the headache out of it. Call our permit expeditors today for a free estimate. Our team of professionals will make the process as seamless as possible. Get started today!
