A property can look promising on paper and still raise questions that change the project’s cost, schedule, or design. Before committing to a purchase, work out what supports your development plan, what needs further review, and which assumptions remain unconfirmed.
For buyers considering property within the City of Los Angeles, these are the questions we recommend addressing early.
1. Confirm the jurisdiction and zoning
Start by confirming which city or county department has authority over the site. A Los Angeles mailing address alone should not be the basis for choosing the approval process.
For property within the City of Los Angeles, ZIMAS provides a starting point for reviewing zoning, land use designations, planning cases, and overlays. Read the linked regulations and property-specific conditions rather than relying only on the zone label.
Also confirm which zoning code applies to the property. Los Angeles is transitioning between its Original and New Zoning Codes, so a nearby project may operate under different regulations.
2. Test the project you actually want to build
“Can I develop this property?” is a broad question. A more useful one is: “What would it take to build the project I have in mind?”
Identify the proposed use, approximate unit count, building size, height, and ownership plan. Then review density, floor area, setbacks, access, parking, and usable site area against that concept.
Our property feasibility reports help organize development considerations and identify questions requiring more detailed study. An early review should distinguish confirmed information from assumptions that still need agency or technical input.
3. Review existing buildings and approval records
Ask for available permits, approved plans, certificates of occupancy, planning decisions, and approval conditions. Compare those records with the property’s existing layout and the seller’s description.
LADBS property records can help establish what was permitted and documented. Questions about an added unit, converted garage, commercial use, or unfinished permit should be investigated before those features become part of your purchase assumptions.
Ask whether existing approvals remain usable for your proposed project and whether any conditions or unresolved corrections require further action.
4. Identify site constraints and outside investigations
Look beyond the development standards. Depending on the site, the review may need to address hillside conditions, street access, easements, utilities, trees, historic resources, or other physical and planning constraints.
A land use review helps identify where additional work is needed. Surveyors, engineers, architects, title professionals, and other qualified specialists can then investigate the issues within their scope. Build those investigations into the due diligence process early.
5. Understand the approval path
Identify whether the concept appears to fit existing permissions or may need additional planning approvals. Do not assume that a development program or incentive applies solely because another project used it.
Our land use entitlement services help coordinate applications and agency review. Establishing the likely approval path early gives the owner and design team a clearer basis for planning their work.
If the purchase depends on creating separate lots or condominium ownership, investigate subdivision and map processing as part of the initial review.
6. Build a realistic budget and schedule
Allow for more than design and construction. Identify likely application fees, consultant studies, agency corrections, utility coordination, and clearance work. Keep uncertain items visible in the budget.
Separate the major milestones: planning approval, building plan check, required clearances, and permit issuance. Our permit expediting and processing services help coordinate the submittals and follow-up involved as a project moves through review.
Bring these documents to your first consultation
- Property address and assessor’s parcel number
- A brief description of the proposed project
- Available survey, plans, and title information
- Existing permits, approvals, and agency correspondence
- Your purchase investigation deadline and target schedule
Discuss the property before committing to the plan
Entitle and Permits helps buyers, owners, and developers evaluate Los Angeles properties and coordinate the next steps. The goal is to understand the opportunity and unresolved questions before making decisions around an untested concept.
Request a land use consultation or call 310-571-5833.
