Each of Los Angeles's Development Services Centers (DSCs) serves as a single portal and point of consultation for project applications. At the DSCs, applicants file for planning entitlements and administrative approvals, review building plans to verify zoning compliance, and obtain building permits. Los Angeles has four DSCs with dedicated planning resources: Metro (Downtown), Valley (Van Nuys), South Los Angeles (South LA) and West Los Angeles, with the latter still temporarily closed for in-person services.
Planning Services
Entitlement and CEQA appeals allow qualifying aggrieved parties, residents, and applicants to contest the outcome of a project's request. Instructions on filing appeals may be found here, listed under “Appeal Applications.” Beverage and Entertainment Streamlined (BESt)
If building permits require planning clearances, City Planning staff must screen, review, and/or sign off on them to verify that the project is in compliance with specific development regulations, or administrative or discretionary approvals. To file for planning clearances, fill out this Clearance Summary Worksheet (CSW) Google Form. Note: If project plans need to be reviewed in conjunction with a CSW, submit application requests through the Online Application System (OAS).
Case Management brings together case managers from different City departments to troubleshoot complex development projects requiring interdepartmental approvals.
These planning approvals are reserved largely for improvements to existing legal structures that do not pose an environmental risk, and are not in or adjacent to areas with certain sensitive coastal resources, or between the shore and the first public road.
The Records Management Division maintains records for City Planning. Visitors may review case files, Sanborn maps, and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) documents. They may also obtain information on case file locations and copies of records. Records Management is available for in-person record review and retrieval by appointment only.
To review California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) documents or case files, or for other records review and retrieval, contact Records Management to schedule an appointment: (213) 847-3753 | planning.recordsmgmt@lacity.org.
City Planning offers consultation on zoning-related considerations during the pre-application phase to help the applicant identify all the required planning approvals.
The Metro DSC's Specialized Services offer tailored consultation to certain industries that support local economic investment opportunities.
The Beverage and Entertainment Streamlined (BESt) Unit handles the initial case intake and case clearance services (“project sign-off”) for stand-alone alcohol sales (Conditional Use Beverage or “CUB”) and entertainment (Conditional Use Entertainment or “CUX”) entitlements. It also oversees Restaurant Beverage Program (RBP) applications and authorizations.
The Housing Services Unit offers technical assistance and processes pre-application referral forms for a number of affordable housing programs, including Density Bonus, Transit Oriented Communities (TOC), Measure JJJ, and Qualified Permanent Supportive Housing (QPSH). Email general inquiries to planning.priorityhousing@lacity.org.
The Housing Crisis Act (HCA) aims to increase housing supply. The HCA declared a temporary statewide housing emergency with the aim of preserving existing affordable housing and enhancing protections for occupants, and increasing certainty during the review process for select qualifying projects.
The Home-Sharing Unit processes, reviews, and issues licenses for short-term rental for primary residences only, provided they meet all of the City’s eligibility requirements and abide by its regulations.
The Map Processing Unit offers general consultation and processes lot line adjustments, certificates of compliance, and deemed approved private streets applications.
The Priority Housing Project (PHP) Program reviews discretionary housing applications that propose 10 or more dwelling units and include at least 20% on-site, low-income affordable units, or reserve at least 30% on-site for sale units for moderate-income households.
The Redevelopment Plan Unit reviews project applications in Redevelopment Plan areas, with a primary focus on improving economic development in communities that have long suffered from blight or underinvestment.
The Wireless Telecommunications Unit reviews proposals for the placement of wireless facilities on public and private property and makes recommendations for compliance with the City's zoning requirements and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations.
