Development Services Bureau

In an effort to improve services, the City Council and Mayor directed Los Angeles City Planning (City Planning), through the 2025-26 Budget, to assume the responsibility for conducting the zoning review portion of the plan check process, and facilitated the transfer of the positions and experienced staff currently conducting these reviews. By placing existing zoning-related processes within City Planning, the City of Los Angeles is creating an opportunity for a seamless review of zoning regulations and improved response times. This transfer of responsibility will also facilitate improved communication between applicants and City Planning staff conducting zoning review and processing discretionary review applications.

New Services

City Planning is committed to simplifying project review, reducing redundancies, and minimizing “late hits.” New services going live this year will complement the robust services already offered

The new City Planning Service Navigator helps you find the right starting point for your City Planning services.

It’s easy to use the Service Navigator. Just provide the project address, and select from a short list of project types. That’s it! We’ll get you to the office that can help you get started on the right path.

Need help? Start here.

The Zoning Review Division of the Development Services Bureau is responsible for reviewing a project for consistency with zoning regulations (such as density, land use, scale, height, and setback) as part of the project permitting process after a permit application has been submitted to the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS). In the case of certain planning entitlements, a Preliminary Zoning Assessment (PZA) is filed with the planning application so that non-complaint aspects of a project can be identified earlier in the process.

Los Angeles City Planning’s new Universal Planning Review Services are live!

Commercial, industrial, and institutional projects in 60% of the City will now have a single entry-point, universal planning review with two service levels–Basic Service and Full Service. Best of all, there are no additional fees for these services.

The Basic Service applies to all eligible projects starting Feb. 17, 2026.

Request an eligibility screening, or dive right into our services. Submit a request for pilot eligibility screening only, Basic Service, or Full Service on City Planning’s Online Application System (OAS).

Reach out to us at Planning.UniversalReview@lacity.org or learn more online.

Applications to Los Angeles City Planning for stand-alone alcohol and entertainment requests can now be prepared online and submitted from virtually anywhere! Reach out to the Beverage and Entertainment Streamlining (BESt) unit Planning.BESt@lacity.org, go online, or take a look at our online application submission process info sheet to learn how.

Counter Services

Los Angeles' Development Services Centers (DSCs) serve as a single portal and point of consultation for project applications.

At the Metro (Downtown), Valley (Van Nuys), South Los Angeles (South LA) DSCs, applicants file for planning entitlements and administrative approvals, review building plans to verify zoning compliance, and obtain building permits.

The LA One-Stop Rebuilding Center is only available for residents affected by the Palisades fire. Walk-ins are welcome, but please make an appointment for a case filing.

Up-to-date Location and Hour Information

Planning Services offered at the public counter include:

  • Application Filing
  • Informational Meetings
  • Permit Clearances
  • Coastal Clearances
  • Time Extensions
  • Appeal Filings
  • Map Processing

Specialized Services

The Specialized Services Division offers tailored consultation to certain industries that support local economic investment opportunities.

Along with the creation of the Development Services Bureau and the transfer of Zoning Plan Check, City Planning will take over the responsibility of producing the Feasibility Studies and responding to zoning questions through the existing Development Services Case Management (DSCM) at LADBS. The DSCM is the City’s single portal for consultation, problem solving, and facilitation for development projects. LADBS brings together case managers from different City departments to troubleshoot complex development projects requiring interdepartmental approvals.

Planning Services offered by the Specialized Services Division includes the following: 

Affordable Housing
Beverage & Entertainment Streamlining (BESt)
Home-Sharing
Wireless
Case Management
Redevelopment Plans
Universal Planning Review Service
Housing Crisis Act Vesting Preliminary Applications

Office of Zoning Administration (OZA) Services

The Office of Zoning Administration (OZA) is a quasi-judicial agency with Charter-specified functions as well as other powers and duties with respect to zoning and land use as prescribed by ordinance.

The Zoning Administrators make determinations relative to zone code interpretations, zone variances, conditional uses, revocations, reasonable accommodations, LADBS appeals, and other land use decisions as specified by the Charter and Zoning Codes. Furthermore, the Chief Zoning Administrator may adopt rules necessary to carry out the requirements prescribed by ordinance and which are not in conflict or inconsistent with those ordinances.

Programs managed by the Office of Zoning Administration (OZA) include:

  • Conditional Use Permits and Other Zoning Administrator Authorizations
  • Reasonable Accommodations
  • Oils
  • Nuisance Abatement and Revocations
Schedule an Appointment
 

The Metro/Downtown, South LA (Tuesday/Thursday only), and Van Nuys DSCs currently offer in-person meetings by appointment only. The City’s BuildLA portal offers appointments and assistance with development services.

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City Planning Service Navigator
 

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General Planning Services
 

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