Appointments

In-Person Appointments

The Metro/Downtown DSC currently offers in-person meetings for the following services by appointment only.

Filing of Appeals

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) DSCs. 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).

Fact Sheet

Case Management

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. 

Request Form

Records Management

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.

Schedule Appointments
 

The City’s new BuildLA portal offers online appointments and assistance with development services.

Online Application System (OAS)
 

City Planning's Online Application System (OAS) offers online commerce capabilities that support remote filing and payment for many project applications.

Public Counters
 

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.