Starting early 2025 all new applications in the Downtown Community Plan Area will be subject to the New Zoning Code and must use revised forms (where applicable). These forms are now available at the Department of City Planning's Forms page.
The Metro/Downtown, South LA (Tuesday/Thursday only), and Van Nuys DSCs currently offer in-person meetings for the following services by appointment only.
Once planning approvals are granted, applicants must provide architectural plans and materials to demonstrate compliance with the specified conditions of approval before they may obtain building permits.
Submit a hard copy package of case condition clearance materials, including the recorded covenant and agreement, with a Drop Off Transmittal Form marked “Case Condition Clearance” to any of the Development Services Centers at least two business days before the scheduled appointment date. Note: If the project was processed by the Major Projects Unit, please let your assigned DSC planner for Case Condition Clearance know so they can coordinate accordingly.
Consideration of a project begins when an application is filed with the City. The Department refers to this initial step in the process as “case filing,” meaning that the applicant has submitted the necessary forms to start the preliminary review phase.
Submit a hard copy package of completed application materials with a Drop Off Transmittal Form marked “Case Filing” to any one of the Development Services Centers at least two business days prior to the scheduled appointment date.
Clearance Summary Worksheet review takes place while the applicant is seeking building permits from Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety, in consultation with any other relevant City Departments, before construction begins. The Zoning Review Division will add any required City Planning clearances to the worksheet as part of the Zoning Plan Check process which occurs after permit filing.
To file for planning clearances after a project has received its initial zoning plan check screening by the Zoning Review Division, fill out this Clearance Summary Worksheet (CSW) Google Form. Submit requests using the Online Application System (OAS) if plans must be approved in conjunction with a CSW. Note: Only some building permits require clearances from City Planning.
The Development Services Centers' pre-consultation services for prospective applicants offer technical guidance during the design, entitlement, and permitting stages of a project.
When requesting an appointment, include the site address or Assessor's Parcel Number and describe the nature of the inquiry in writing. Provide copies of relevant materials that will assist in assigning the request, such as project plans, a Letter of Determination, a completed Clearance Summary Worksheet (CSW), and other documents that may assist with project review.
Specialized Services are available at the Metro/Downtown Development Services Center. City Planning made these tailored consultation services available to support the needs of specific industries and foster investment opportunities in Los Angeles.
Universal Planning Review Services (informational meetings)
Appointments are available through the City’s BuildLA portal.
Or contact Planning.UniversalReview@lacity.org with questions.
Wireless Telecommunications (Case Filings Only)
In-person appointments for case filing are available through the City’s BuildLA portal. Email general inquiries to planning.wireless@lacity.org.
Submit requests for pre-application review and building permit clearance through the Online Application System.
Housing Services (Pre-Filing Consultations Only)
City Planning offers limited in-person, pre-filing consultations for select affordable housing projects.
For more information, contact planning.priorityhousing@lacity.org.
Map Processing (General Consultation and Case Filing Instructions Only)
City Planning offers limited in-person, pre-filing consultations for wireless telecommunications services.
For more information, contact planning.mbc2@lacity.org.
Redevelopment Plan (Case Filings)
In-person appointments for case filings are available through the City’s BuildLA portal.
Email general inquiries to planning.redevelopment@lacity.org.
Beverage and Entertainment Streamlining (General Questions and Case Filing Only)
Appointments are available through the City’s BuildLA portal.
Contact Planning.BESt@lacity.org with questions.
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) and the South LA DSCs on Tuesday and Thursday only. Applications must be submitted, 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).
In partnership with Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS), City Planning offers Development Services Case Management (DSCM): the main portal for consultation, assistance, and troubleshooting for complex development projects requiring interdepartmental approvals. The office brings together case managers from various City departments, including City Planning, LADBS, Engineering, Transportation, and Water and Power. Consult the DSCM Services Matrix to determine project eligibility requirements.
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 copies of Department records.
Records Management is available for in-person record review and retrieval by appointment only. Contact Records Management at (213) 847-3753 | planning.recordsmgmt@lacity.org, or through Los Angeles's BuildLA portal.
The City’s new BuildLA portal offers online appointments and assistance with development services.
City Planning's Online Application System (OAS) offers online commerce capabilities that support remote filing and payment for many project applications.
The Department’s Development Services Centers (DSCs), or public counters, are the first stop for project planning operations. City Planning maintains staff at a number of DSCs citywide.
Notice to Land Use Industry Professionals
If you are compensated to interact with the Department of Planning, City law may require you to register as a lobbyist and report your activity. Any individual may qualify as a lobbyist, regardless of occupation, education, training, or professional title. A lobbyist may hold a position that includes but is not limited to attorney, CEO, consultant, architect, engineer, government liaison, business owner, permit applicant, urban planner, expediter, land developer, various real estate specialists, and others.
More information is available on the Ethics Commission’s lobbying page and Influencing Land Use Decisions brochure. For assistance, please contact the Ethics Commission at (213) 978-1960 or ethics.commission@lacity.org.
