Entitle and Permits provides density bonus consulting, affordable housing entitlement processing, and development feasibility services for property owners, real estate developers, and architects throughout Los Angeles.
We assist with California State Density Bonus Law, the City of Los Angeles Citywide Housing Incentive Program (CHIP), AB 1287, and applicable affordable housing incentive programs.
Our services include preliminary zoning analysis, density bonus calculations, affordable housing set-aside evaluations, incentive and waiver assessments, application preparation, and coordination with the Los Angeles Department of City Planning and Department of Building and Safety (LADBS).
California State Density Bonus Program
California State Density Bonus Law allows qualifying housing developments to receive additional residential density and certain development incentives in exchange for providing affordable housing or meeting other applicable eligibility requirements.
In Los Angeles, the State Density Bonus Program is implemented under LAMC Section 12.22 A.37.
Depending on eligibility and the applicable standards, projects may qualify for increased residential density, parking reductions, development incentives, and waivers of development standards.
Entitle and Permits assists applicants with determining maximum allowable residential density, affordable housing requirements, available incentives, and the appropriate entitlement review process.
Citywide Housing Incentive Program (CHIP)
The City of Los Angeles established the Citywide Housing Incentive Program (CHIP) to expand housing opportunities through density bonuses, development incentives, and streamlined review procedures for eligible projects.
CHIP includes three principal programs:
- State Density Bonus Program — LAMC Section 12.22 A.37
- Mixed Income Incentive Program (MIIP) — LAMC Section 12.22 A.38
- Affordable Housing Incentive Program (AHIP) — LAMC Section 12.22 A.39
Each program has distinct eligibility standards, affordability requirements, development incentives, and application procedures.
We assist developers with evaluating the available programs and identifying an entitlement strategy appropriate to the project’s location, zoning, proposed housing mix, and development objectives.
Mixed Income Incentive Program (MIIP)
The Mixed Income Incentive Program provides additional housing development opportunities within designated areas of Los Angeles.
These include Transit Oriented Incentive Areas, Opportunity Corridor Incentive Areas, and Corridor Transition Incentive Areas.
Qualifying projects may receive additional residential density, floor area, height, and other development incentives based on applicable program requirements.
Entitle and Permits assists with location-based eligibility assessments, density calculations, affordable unit set-asides, incentive selection, application processing, and City Planning coordination.
Affordable Housing Incentive Program (AHIP)
The Affordable Housing Incentive Program provides development incentives for qualifying affordable housing projects, including certain developments with 80% to 100% affordable units and eligible projects on properties associated with faith-based organizations, community land trusts, and public agencies.
Depending on eligibility, projects may qualify for increased development capacity and modified development standards.
Our consulting services include AHIP feasibility assessments, application coordination, affordability-related entitlement review, and agency clearance management.
AB 1287 and Additional Density Bonus Opportunities
California Assembly Bill 1287 expanded State Density Bonus Law by creating an additional density bonus opportunity for qualifying projects that provide specified additional affordable housing units.
Eligible developments may qualify for density bonuses beyond the traditional 50% maximum, with the potential for substantially greater residential density depending on the applicable affordability thresholds and other legal requirements.
Entitle and Permits assists developers with evaluating AB 1287 eligibility, additional affordable housing obligations, residential density calculations, and the relationship between state density bonus provisions and local development standards.
Development Incentives, Waivers, and Approval Processing
Density bonus projects may require relief from zoning and development standards involving setbacks, building height, floor area ratio, parking, or other requirements.
The applicable approval process depends on the requested incentives, waivers, public benefit options, and governing regulations.
Our services include preparing entitlement application materials, coordinating supporting plans and reports, responding to agency corrections, and managing required Planning and LADBS clearances.
Density Bonus Feasibility and Entitlement Consulting
Before preparing an entitlement application, developers should understand the property’s maximum allowable residential density, affordable housing set-aside obligations, applicable incentives, and potential development constraints.
Entitle and Permits provides preliminary feasibility consulting to help identify opportunities and potential approval challenges.
We assist with zoning research, affordable housing incentive evaluations, entitlement strategy, application processing, and coordination with the project design and consultant teams.
We also assist eligible affordable housing developers with related Los Angeles Executive Directive 1 (ED1) processing, which has separate requirements from the CHIP incentive programs.
For projects requiring additional zoning approvals, discretionary entitlements, or coordination with Los Angeles City Planning, explore our comprehensive entitlement consulting services.
Contact a Los Angeles Density Bonus Consultant
Planning a multifamily, mixed-income, or affordable housing development in Los Angeles?
Entitle and Permits can help evaluate available density bonus programs, identify applicable development incentives, and coordinate the entitlement approval process.
Call 310-571-5833 to discuss your proposed development and request a consultation.
For additional program information, visit the Los Angeles City Planning CHIP resource page.