Local zoning · Los Angeles

Los Angeles — Design Review

Design Review under the Los Angeles local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

Design review in Los Angeles is a procedure tied primarily to area-specific regulations: it is required where a Specific Plan or other land-use overlay calls for it, and is implemented through Design Review Boards (where established) and the Director of Planning. The process governs exterior design, site layout, landscape, signs and frontage/development standards (not building-code/Title 24 matters). The controlling procedures are in the Los Angeles Zoning Code: see § 13B.4.3, § 16.50, and site-plan review rules in § 16.05 for project thresholds and submissions.

(Links: the page below will refer to related topics — design review is discussed in the city's land-use rules at the Los Angeles Land Use page. Parking requirements referenced below are at Los Angeles Parking. Setback and dimensional rules are at Los Angeles Development Standards. Overlay rules are at Los Angeles Overlay Districts. Historical district rules are at Los Angeles Historic Preservation. ADU rules are at Los Angeles ADUs. Building-code matters belong at California Building Standards Code.)

How the Code organizes design review (top-level)

Design review is triggered only where required by a Specific Plan or a specific ordinance that establishes a design review board; the code explicitly states applicability is by Specific Plan requirement (see § 13B.4.3 A.1.a).
When a Design Review Board exists, it provides recommendations to the Director; the Director is the initial decision-maker and must act within the timeframes set out in the Code. See § 13A.1.11 and § 13B.4.3 D–E.
The process commonly has two stages: an optional preliminary review and a mandatory final review where required by the applicable Specific Plan (§ 13B.4.3 A.1.b).

(First mentions linked inline: design review — Los Angeles Land Use; parking — Los Angeles Parking; development standards — Los Angeles Development Standards; overlays — Los Angeles Overlay Districts; Historic Preservation — Los Angeles Historic Preservation; ADUs — Los Angeles ADUs; California Building Standards Code — California Building Standards Code.)

District-by-district breakdown (where design review applies)

Note: the Los Angeles code ties design review to applied Specific Plans, Character Frontage Districts, Development Standards districts, Historic Preservation overlays, and a few named Specific Plan boards (e.g., Mulholland). Below are the actual district/plan types the ordinance calls out and the code sections that control design review within each. For parcel-specific verification, verify with the Department of City Planning.

Specific Plans (general)

Purpose: carry local design objectives and mandatory design criteria; design review enforces conformance with those criteria. Applies only when the Specific Plan requires design review. § 13B.4.3 A.1.a.
Typical permitted uses: whatever the underlying Specific Plan and underlying zoning list — uses are set in each Specific Plan (not set citywide by the design-review procedure). Not found in retrieved materials for a single universal list — verify with the Specific Plan text.
Key dimensional / review standards: final design review must demonstrate consistency with the Specific Plan design criteria; the Director or Area Planning Commission must make findings consistent with the Specific Plan to approve or deny (§ 13B.4.3 E).
Where it applies: any parcel located inside a Specific Plan area that expressly requires design review. The application materials and completeness standards reference § 16.50 and § 16.05 for project thresholds and submission lists.

Character Frontage Districts / Frontage (Part 3B of Chapter 1A)

Purpose: apply façade, transparency, entry, articulation, materials, and frontage build-to standards to street-facing facades; these are design elements that design review enforces where Frontage District rules are applied. See Div. 3A / Div. 3D (for Frontage applicability, transparency, articulation, roof, and materials standards). § 3A.2.2, § 3D.9.1, § 3D.6.4, § 3D.10.1.
Typical permitted uses: uses remain those of the underlying zoning district; frontage rules affect building form rather than permitted land uses. Not found in the retrieved materials as a complete use list — underlying zone determines use. Verify with the parcel’s zoning.
Key dimensional standards used by reviewers: ground-story transparency minimums/maximums, upper-story transparency, vertical band articulation (min 8 in width and full height; spacing as specified by the applied Frontage District), principal material coverage minimums, focal entry requirements, and roof-form rules — all tied to the applied Frontage District (Part 3B) (§ 3D.9.1, § 3D.6.4, § 3D.10.1, § 3D.11.1).

Development Standards Districts (Part 4B)

Purpose: provide district-level dimensional controls (setbacks, lot coverage, wrap requirements for parking structures) that work in tandem with frontage rules and specific plan design criteria. See references to Development Standards Districts where transparency exceptions and wrap standards are applied (§ 3D.9.1 D).
Typical permitted uses: same as underlying zoning; development standards primarily control form. Verify with underlying zone or Specific Plan.
Key dimensional standards for design review: where applied, parking structure wrapping, build-to stories, and story-height minima apply and are enforced through design review if the Specific Plan / Development Standards District requires. See Div. 3D and related Development Standards references.

Historic Preservation / HPOZ and Certificates of Appropriateness

Purpose: protect historic resources through review of exterior changes; Historic Preservation review (Certificates of Appropriateness) has its own review criteria and timelines. See § 13B.8.5 (Certificate of Appropriateness) and companion rules.
Typical permitted uses: uses may be limited by HPOZ Preservation Plans; exterior changes are regulated, not use per se. Verify with the parcel’s HPOZ Preservation Plan.
Key standards and timing: Director must issue determinations on Certificates of Appropriateness within 75 days after complete application (§ 13B.8.5.7); findings must consider architectural design, height/bulk, materials, signs, yards and setbacks, landscaping and other factors listed in § 13B.8.5 E.

Named Specific Review Boards (example: Mulholland Scenic Parkway)

Purpose: the Code preserves specified boards (Mulholland board called out) for advice on scenic/hillside design review; these can have separate procedures but are still integrated into the Director/appeal scheme (§ 13B.4.3 C.4.v).
Typical permitted uses & standards: determined by the applicable Specific Plan (Mulholland Scenic Parkway Specific Plan). Appeals and board composition rules are handled under the general design-review rules.

Most decision-relevant standards (summary table)

What the reviewer cares about	Typical standard / trigger	Code Reference
When design review applies	Design review required only where a Specific Plan or ordinance establishes it; optional preliminary and mandatory final review process described	§ 13B.4.3 A.1.a, § 16.50
Decision maker & timing	Director is initial decision maker; Design Review Board recommendation within 21 days; Director acts within 10 days of board recommendation; appeals to Area Planning Commission within 75 days	§ 13B.4.3 C.4.c(ii-iii); § 13B.4.3 E.a-b; appeals § 13B.4.3 G.4.b
Submission completeness	Optional preliminary: conceptual drawings, elevations, materials, landscape plan, photos, tree info; Mandatory final: finished drawings, environmental clearance, narratives, site plan, elevations, landscape plan, mailing labels	§ 16.50 E.1(a–b); § 13B.4.3 B.1-2
Frontage / façade rules (common design items)	Transparency min/max for ground & upper stories; vertical band articulation (min 8 in), material coverage minimums, focal entry requirements	§ 3D.9.1, § 3D.9.2, § 3D.6.4, § 3D.10.1
Parking & wrapping	Parking structure facades may be excepted from transparency unless the Development Standards District requires wrapping; parking-related changes may trigger transmittal to DOT	§ 3D.9.1 D; design review transmittal procedures reference DOT where parking/ingress/egress affected
Fee scale & filing fees	Design review filing fees vary by case size; preliminary review fee usually one-half the final review fee; full fee tables in Chapter 19 references	§ 16.50 fee table references (see fee schedule excerpts)

Checklist — what an applicant must satisfy

Confirm whether the parcel is inside a Specific Plan area or other overlay that requires design review (design review is not automatically required across the city). Verify with the Department of City Planning per § 13B.4.3 A.1.a.
Prepare submission set per § 16.50 E.1(a–b): conceptual drawings for preliminary; finished drawings, environmental clearance (if required), narratives tying project to Specific Plan design criteria, site plans, elevations, landscape plans, photos, tree inventory, and required mailing labels.
Decide whether to request an optional preliminary design review (recommended to reduce surprises) — preliminary review timeline: placed on board agenda within 5 days, board reviews within 21 days. § 13B.4.3 C.3.b.
Pay correct filing fee category per the fee schedule referenced in § 19.01 and § 16.50 (preliminary is typically one-half of final fee) — see Code fee tables.
Give required public notice and posting (mailing to abutters, posting on site) per § 13B.4.3 C.1.
If Design Review Board issues conditions or a recommendation, respond and resubmit as required; the Director will act within 10 days after receiving the board recommendation or failure to act. § 13B.4.3 C.4 and § 13B.4.3 D.5.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Is design review required for my parcel?	Design review is triggered only where a Specific Plan or ordinance requires it; assuming citywide applicability is incorrect.	Verify whether the parcel lies within a Specific Plan or named review board area (Department of City Planning / zoning map). § 13B.4.3 A.1.a.
Which standards control — Specific Plan vs. Chapter rules?	Specific Plan criteria govern design but the Chapter’s procedures and timing prevail where they differ.	Confirm applicable Specific Plan text and cross-check with § 13B.4.3 (procedures prevail where different).
Relationship to parking and site-engineering reviews	Parking/ingress/egress changes may trigger DOT review or additional transmittals and delay permits.	Expect design review referrals to DOT for circulation/parking changes (code references to transmittal). § 13B.4.3 F; see parking rules at Los Angeles Parking.
HPOZ vs. Specific Plan design review	HPOZ Certificates of Appropriateness follow separate historic criteria and timelines; a project in both an HPOZ and Specific Plan may face overlapping reviews.	Confirm which review is primary and whether a Preservation Plan exists. Historic criteria and 75‑day timing are in § 13B.8.5.
Submission completeness — environmental review	Lack of environmental clearance (or not knowing when an EIR/CEQA clearance is required) can make an application incomplete.	Environmental clearance is a required submittal for mandatory final review per § 16.50 E.1(b)(2).
Which numeric façade standards apply?	Frontage Districts specify numeric transparency, articulation spacing, material coverage, etc.; these vary by district.	Identify the applied Frontage District and apply its numeric standards in Part 3B / Div. 3D (e.g., § 3D.6.4, § 3D.9.1).

Plain-English summary

If your property sits inside a Los Angeles Specific Plan area, certain exterior changes will require a design-review application (often two steps: optional preliminary, mandatory final). A Design Review Board (when established) makes recommendations to the Director of Planning, who issues the decision; applicants must submit drawings, landscape plans, photos, and a narrative showing consistency with the Specific Plan’s design criteria. The controlling procedures are in § 13B.4.3 and the submission rules are in § 16.50 / § 16.05 — verify applicability for your parcel with the Department of City Planning.

Source References

Los Angeles Zoning Code — Project Compliance (Design Review Board), § 13B.4.3 (project compliance procedures, board authority, timing, appeals, Director action).
Los Angeles Zoning Code — Design Review Board Procedures, § 16.50 (application materials, fees, preliminary and final review lists).
Los Angeles Zoning Code — Project Review / Site Plan Review, § 16.05 (definitions and project review triggers).
Los Angeles Zoning Code — Design Review Board establishment and composition, § 13A.1.11.
Frontage / Form rules (transparency, articulation, materials), Div. 3A / Div. 3D (e.g., § 3A.2.2, § 3D.9.1, § 3D.6.4, § 3D.10.1).
Certificate of Appropriateness and Historic Preservation criteria, § 13B.8.5.
Filing fee and schedule excerpts referenced in Chapter 19 and § 16.50 (fee breakdowns and categories).

Sources

Retrieved passages

Los Angeles Zoning Code (ARTICLE 13) High relevance
Los Angeles Zoning Code (ARTICLE 13) High relevance
Los Angeles Zoning Code (ARTICLE 13) High relevance
Los Angeles Zoning Code (Section 19.09.) High relevance
Los Angeles Zoning Code (ARTICLE 13) Medium relevance
Los Angeles Zoning Code (Chapter I.) Medium relevance
Los Angeles Zoning Code (ARTICLE 13) Medium relevance
Los Angeles Zoning Code (ARTICLE 6.1) Medium relevance
Los Angeles Zoning Code (ARTICLE 13) Medium relevance
Los Angeles Zoning Code (Chapter 1A) Medium relevance
Los Angeles Zoning Code (Chapter 1A) Medium relevance
Los Angeles Zoning Code (Chapter 1A) Medium relevance
Los Angeles Zoning Code (Chapter 1A) Medium relevance
Los Angeles Zoning Code (Chapter 1A) Medium relevance
Los Angeles Zoning Code (Chapter 1A) Medium relevance
Los Angeles Zoning Code (Chapter 1A) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official Los Angeles code library

Frequently asked questions

Do I need design review in Los Angeles?

Design review is required only if your property lies within a Specific Plan or other ordinance that explicitly calls for design review; it is not automatically required citywide. Check whether a Specific Plan applies to your parcel and consult § 13B.4.3 A.1.a for applicability.

What materials are required for a design review application?

For an optional preliminary review: conceptual site plan, elevations, materials/colors, landscape plan, photos, and tree info. For mandatory final review: finished drawings, environmental clearance where required, narrative showing Specific Plan consistency, site plan, elevations, landscape plans, and mailing labels. See § 16.50 E.1(a–b).

How long does the Design Review Board / Director take to act?

Design Review Boards are asked to review preliminary or final applications within 21 calendar days after referral; the Director must act within 10 calendar days after receipt of the board’s recommendation (or within specified time frames), and appeals handled by the Area Planning Commission act within 75 days. See § 13B.4.3 C.4.c(ii–iii) and § 13B.4.3 E / G.

What does the board evaluate?

Boards evaluate placement of mass, form, spatial elements, façade treatments, materials and colors, landscaping, signs, and conformance to Specific Plan design criteria. The review objectives are listed in § 13B.4.3 (Purpose and Objectives).

Will design review change parking or setback rules?

Design review enforces design-related aspects of the Specific Plan and Frontage/Development Standards. If a proposed change affects parking, ingress/egress, or dimensional controls, the project may be referred to DOT or require additional sign-off before permits are issued. See references in § 13B.4.3 F and the Frontage/Development Standards rules (e.g., § 3D.9.1 D).

What if my property is in an HPOZ?

Historic Preservation review (Certificates of Appropriateness) uses separate findings and procedures; the Director has 75 days to determine a Certificate of Appropriateness and must consider factors such as architectural design, height/bulk, materials, signs, and yards as listed in § 13B.8.5. Projects in both an HPOZ and a Specific Plan may require parallel reviews.

Can I get a preliminary review before I file final plans?

Yes — an applicant may request an optional preliminary design review; the board reviews preliminary submittals and provides comments but the preliminary recommendation is advisory and valid for 24 months unless otherwise specified (§ 13B.4.3 C.3.a(ii) and F.2).

What happens if the Design Review Board fails to act?

If a design review board fails to act within the time limits set in the Code (and no extension is agreed), the application is immediately referred to the Director without a recommendation (§ 13B.4.3 C.4.d).

Who appoints Design Review Board members?

Design Review Board members are appointed by the Councilmember(s) of the district(s) in which the Specific Plan area is located (with exceptions noted in the Code), and boards typically have 5–7 members with specified professional composition when practicable (§ 13A.1.11 B.1–B.3).

Are design-review decisions final?

The Director issues the initial determination; applicants or aggrieved persons may appeal to the Area Planning Commission under the appeal procedures; the Area Planning Commission acts as appellate decision maker (§ 13B.4.3 G.2–4).

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