Site Plans for Los Angeles
& LA County Permits
LA has the most complex permit site plan requirements in the US. LADBS requires a separate LID/BMP stormwater plan approved by the Bureau of Sanitation — a unique LA requirement. VHFHSZ fire zones cover much of the county. 88 cities, each with its own building department.
Engineer Wasim · Founder, Site Plans Online USA
All 88 LA cities · LID/BMP · VHFHSZ expertise
LID/BMP, VHFHSZ & ADU Law — What Makes LA Different
LA has permit site plan requirements found nowhere else in the US. Every LA order gets all three elements addressed.
LID/BMP Stormwater Plan — Unique to LA
Los Angeles requires a separate Low-Impact Development (LID) / Best Management Practices (BMP) plan showing stormwater management — rain gardens, bioswales, permeable paving, or rain tanks. The Bureau of Sanitation must approve LID compliance before LADBS issues most building permits.
Not required in most other US jurisdictions. Unique to LA.
VHFHSZ Fire Zone Notation
Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones cover substantial portions of LA County. Properties in designated VHFHSZ must note the designation and comply with Chapter 7A of the California Building Code (ember-resistant construction standards).
We verify your fire zone designation before every order.
Check FHSZ Map →California ADU Law (AB 2221)
California AB 2221 + SB 9 allow most single-family lots to add at least one ADU. State law sets minimum 4 ft rear and side setbacks for most detached ADUs — different from standard R-1 setbacks. Parking waiver eligibility within half mile of transit.
We verify your parcel's ADU eligibility and state law compliance.
ADU Guide →LA Site Plan — LADBS Ready
LID/BMP plan, VHFHSZ notation, ADU law compliance, all 88 LA cities.
LADBS PermitLA & 88 City Portals
LADBS requires specific PDF settings, sheet sizing, and file size limits. LID/BMP plan submitted as a separate PDF. Each of the 88 incorporated LA cities has its own building department — Long Beach, Pasadena, Burbank, Glendale, Santa Monica, Culver City each use their own portals.
LADBS PermitLA — City of LA
permits.lacity.gov — Specific PDF requirements, LID/BMP plan as separate document, sheet sizing and file size limits. Check LID compliance first.
Visit LADBS PermitLA →LA County — EPIC-LA
acis.lacounty.gov — For unincorporated LA County areas. Separate from the City of LA's LADBS system.
Visit EPIC-LA →Long Beach · Pasadena · Burbank · Glendale · Santa Monica & More
Each of the 88 incorporated LA cities has its own building department. We identify your city and format accordingly on every order.
Ask About Your City →LA County R-1 Setbacks (Standard)
Verify your parcel's specific setbacks at ZIMAS (zimas.lacity.org). Hillside properties and coastal zone properties may have different standards. We check ZIMAS for every order.
⚠️ CA Pool Barrier Minimum: 60 inches
California requires a 60-inch (5 ft) minimum pool barrier height — different from the 48-inch national standard and Florida's requirement. We apply California's standard to every LA pool permit.
Common LA Permits We Cover
ADU Permits
CA ADU law compliance — 4 ft setback, parking waiver eligibility, utility connections, lot coverage. LADBS ADU fast-track process.
ADU Guide →Pool Permits
CA pool barrier minimum 60 inches (5 ft). LID/BMP plan required. LADBS pool permit specific formatting and sheet requirements.
Pool Guide →Commercial Permits
LADBS commercial plan check: 4–8 weeks typical. PE stamp required, LID/BMP plan, ADA compliance, parking layout.
PE Stamp →Home Additions
Existing + proposed footprint, VHFHSZ notation if applicable, LID/BMP impact assessment, hillside property considerations.
Addition Guide →LA Site Plans Starting From
LADBS PermitLA formatted, LID/BMP plan included, VHFHSZ notation, California ADU law compliance. Free revisions on corrections.
⭐ California Site Plan Guide
Full California coverage — ADU law, Coastal Zone, VHFHSZ fire zones, LADBS, San Diego DSD, and all major CA markets. California pool barrier standards, PE stamp requirements.
California Site Plan Guide →Engineer Wasim — Founder, Site Plans Online USA
We prepare LA and LA County plans with LADBS PermitLA formatting, LID/BMP plans, VHFHSZ notation, and California ADU law compliance on every order. All 88 LA cities covered.
LA & California Permit Guides & Resources
Get Your LA Site Plan — LADBS Ready
LADBS PermitLA formatted, LID/BMP plan included, VHFHSZ notation, California ADU law compliance. All 88 LA cities covered. Free revisions on corrections.