As the nation’s second-largest city, Los Angeles is constantly evolving. To meet the changing needs of its nearly four million residents across 470 square miles, the City enlists the help of urban planners to develop land use policies and programs that foster community, accommodate population growth, provide opportunities for housing, advancing equitable and sustainable development among other considerations.
Los Angeles City Planning oversees the preparation of long-range documents that guide development decisions. In addition, the Department manages citywide zoning updates that aim to ensure that there are sufficient sites for housing, jobs, and other amenities across neighborhoods. City Planning is also responsible for the case intake and review of discretionary project applications, as well as Los Angeles’ historic preservation efforts.
Executive Team
The Executive Team consists of the Director of Planning, the Executive Officer, and four Deputy Directors. Each Deputy Director is responsible for overseeing a bureau, with the exception of the Executive Officer who manages the affairs of City Planning across its four bureaus, providing direct support to the Deputy Directors on a number of strategic initiatives. Both the Executive Officer and Deputy Directors report directly to the Director of Planning, who is appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council. Together, the Executive Team works in unison to advance the shared goals and objectives of the entire Department.
Vince P. Bertoni, AICP
Director of Planning
Kevin J. Keller, AICP
Executive Officer
Arthi Varma, AICP
Deputy Director,
Citywide Policy Planning
Shana M. M. Bonstin
Deputy Director,
Community Planning
Lisa Webber, AICP
Deputy Director,
Project Planning
Haydee Urita Lopez
Deputy Director,
Operations and Engagement
Citywide Policy Planning
The Citywide Policy Planning Bureau manages the Department’s long-range planning, setting policy goals and objectives on topical considerations from housing to mobility, as well as overseeing targeted citywide amendments to the Zoning Code.
Community Planning
The Community Planning Bureau oversees land use policy and zoning updates to Los Angeles’s 34 Community Plans, and other neighborhood level planning solutions to consider goals and priorities, land uses and expectations for future development.
Development Services
The Development Services Bureau provides clear, consistent, and timely zoning services - including case intake, zoning and required entitlement reviews, specialized services for certain industries, and zoning administration and interpretation - fostering compliance with the City's Zoning Codes and facilitating responsible development.
The Development Services Bureau is the City's comprehensive "One-Stop-Shop" for all zoning-related functions, established to improve customer service, streamline project reviews, and ensure consistent implementation of the City’s Zoning Codes. This Bureau integrates ministerial zoning plan check functions with public service, specialized, and discretionary (Office of Zoning Administration) divisions. By consolidating all responsibilities—from public intake and zoning plan checks to specialized program review and formal zoning administration—the Bureau creates a single, clear pathway for development projects and improves coordination from initial application to final approval.
Project Planning
The Project Planning Bureau handles the Department’s case processing and environmental review functions for the majority of discretionary cases, including projects in geographic overlays, expedited processing, and major projects.
Operations and Engagement
The Operations and Engagement Bureau provides the technical, administrative, and financial services that are critical to City Planning's overall success, including the oversight of its annual budget and personnel services.
