Planning Services

Aggrieved parties and applicants may contest the outcome of a project or policy by submitting appeal applications online or dropping off a paper application at the Metro/Downtown or Valley (Van Nuys) during normal operation hours, as well as at the South LA DSCs on Tuesday and Thursday only. Applications must be submitted. Appeal applications must be accepted by City Planning staff and paid for by 4:30 p.m. on the final day to appeal. In the event that the final date to appeal falls on a weekend or City holiday, the time limit is extended to the next working day. For time-sensitive materials such as appeals, City Planning recommends filing online through the Online Application System (OAS). Beverage and Entertainment Streamlined (BESt)

If building permits require zoning plan check, City Planning staff will screen, review, and/or sign off on individual clearance items to verify that the project is in compliance with specific zoning regulations, or administrative or discretionary requirements. To file for planning clearances after a project has received its initial screening by the Zoning Review Division, submit application requests through the Online Application System (OAS) and create a project as a Virtual DSC Counter Clearance Summary Worksheets.

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 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 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.AHSS@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 Department of City Planning’s new Universal Planning Review services offer a single entry-point, Universal Planning Review with two service levels–Basic Service and Full Service–starting with commercial, industrial, and institutional developments in 60%of the City. Best of all, there are no additional fees for these services.

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.