The Great LA Delay: How to Solve the Great LA Building Delay (Part 2)

Our previous blog, The Great LA Delay: Why Residential Development is Taking Soooo Long, detailed how the convoluted permitting process is wreaking havoc with design and development in Los Angeles. In Part 2, we tell you about a possible “Secret Weapon” that could help smooth the permitting process, we’ve got some news on how this process is being rectified by the LADBS, and we provide helpful resources you can use to accelerate the process.

Is there anything I can do to speed this up?

YES! Our best and most effective recommendation: Have a good team in place — starting with a knowledgeable, well-connected development consultant. While a development consultant may have different tasks depending on the project, the best ones know the permitting process inside and out. They know all the right departments and people to go to, and are highly organized so you can get docs signed with one visit instead of suffering through 15 dribbled out emails and visits to the notary. Even if problems arise (and let’s be honest – have you ever heard of a construction project that DIDN’T have an unexpected hiccup?), these development consultants can usually predict potential issues or know what issues are worth fighting for. And worst-case scenario, they know the quickest way through the city’s puddle of molasses to get to the finish line. In short, they make our life and your life SO. MUCH. EASIER.

We used to question the need for a development consultant on a project, but as we’ve come to learn, they can be worth their weight in GOLD if you find a good one. (And yes – we have a couple we’d definitely recommend!)

A little hope for the future…

Despite efforts to streamline the process, it may still feel like a drag. And though it may seemingly reverberate with loud “Cha-ching” sounds, know that there are people actively trying to help the current process. The local AIA chapter (namely Will Wright) has made valiant, much appreciated efforts to set up regular meetings with all the major LA Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) department leaders (Building & Safety’s Osama Younan, Bureau of Engineering’s Ted Allen, etc.) to encourage progress on communication and lengthy delays. These meetings create an opportunity for departments to hear some user feedback on what could be done better, or where to focus upcoming efforts. We can say with great confidence that these leaders DO care about making the process easier for everyone, and often remind us that changing the course of a large ship does take time and patience.

The good news – some relief is in the works and the improvements will be a HUGE easing of this permitting log jam.

• Building & Safety / Plan Check Submittal:
  • Completely online plan check submittal, called “ePlanLA”. (Adios to the elusive lobby drop box system!). Several permit types are able to be submitted online already, with plans to expand the system in the very near future.
• Bureau of Engineering
  • BOE is working toward many more digital services. Check out their “Coming Soon” website with more info on what’s already here, and what’s coming.
  • Some virtual services already available can be found on the BuildLA website
  • BOE is working on a “virtual counter” system with chat features
• City Planning
  • A brand new Online Application Portal was announced in February 2022 to submit for some planning processes, such as ADU permit clearances, TOC pre-applications and tier verifications, HPOZ applications, Coastal clearances, as well as some other ministerial review submittals (Slope Band Analysis, Small Lot Design, etc).
    o NOTE: in true City of LA fashion, this portal information is not listed anywhere on their website that we can easily find.

But what if I’m having trouble now?

If you or anyone else is noticing unusual delays or communication issues, we suggest trying these things:

• Contact a supervisor. While we know these lists can be often out of date, they are a great starting point. Here are the latest lists for these departments:
  • Building & Safety
  • Bureau of Engineering (BOE)
  • City Planning
  • Hydrants and Access — this is known to be out of date as of 2022
  • No staff directory was found for the Fire/Life Safety team
• Double check the online “Continuity of Services” to make sure you’re following the latest procedures (links below as of March 2022)
  • General City of Los Angeles Procedures
  • Building & Safety
    • Some types of projects are eligible for completely online plan check submittal, called “ePlanLA”
  • Bureau of Engineering
    • Most items are handled via their Customer Service Portal
    • Some virtual services already available can be found on the BuildLA website
  • City Planning
    • I’ll save you the headache of their website…email the downtown “counter” here (planning.figcounter@lacity.org) to request an appointment for basic plan check clearances and questions
    • Other appointments (planning case clearing, document reviews, map processing, records retrieval, etc.) can be made on their website here.
    • Some processes can be submitted via their brand new Online Application Portal
  • Bureau of Sanitation
    • Everything is handled via their Plan Check Submittal Portal
  • Hydrants & Access and Fire/Life Safety
    • Submittals for both are handled via their FIMS Portal

Of course, we’d love to hear about your experiences – especially if you have any tips to share that may make others’ experiences less exasperating.