10 - BHO / Hillside Ordinance (Street Classification)

This process identifies street classifications (standard or substandard) and the improvements/dedication that is required per the Hillside Ordinance.

• LAMC 12.21.A.17(e) - General Provisions, Use, One-Family Dwellings, Accessory Buildings and Additions.  Hillside Regulations, Street Access: (Amended by Ord. No. 174,652, Eff. 7/27/02.)  
  • (1)   For any new construction of, or addition to, a one-family dwelling on a lot fronting on a Substandard Hillside Limited Street, no building permit or grading permit shall be issued unless at least one-half of the width of the street(s) has been dedicated for the full width of the frontage of the lot to Standard Hillside Limited Street dimensions or to a lesser width as determined by the City Engineer.  Upon payment of the fee imposed pursuant to the provisions of LAMC 12.37 F.3, an applicant may seek relief from this dedication requirement pursuant to the provisions of LAMC 12.37.I.  (Last Sentence Amended by Ord. No. 184,718, Eff. 3/4/17.)
  • (2)   For any new construction of, or addition to, a one-family dwelling on a lot fronting on a Substandard Hillside Limited Street that is improved with a roadway width of less than 20 feet, no building permit or grading permit shall be issued unless the construction or addition has been approved pursuant to LAMC 12.24 X.21.
  • (3)   For any new construction of, or addition to, a one-family dwelling on a lot that does not have a vehicular access route from a street improved with a minimum 20 foot wide continuous paved roadway from the driveway apron that provides access to the main residence to the boundary of the Hillside Area, no building permit or grading permit shall be issued unless the construction or addition meets the requirements of this Subdivision or has been approved pursuant to LAMC 12.24 .X.21.
• LAMC 12.21.C.10(i) - General Provisions, Area, Single-Family Zone Hillside Area Development Standards, Street Access
  • (1)   Street Dedication:  For any new construction of, or addition to, a One-Family Dwelling on a Lot fronting on a Substandard Hillside Limited Street, no Building permit or Grading permit shall be issued unless at least one-half of the width of the Street(s) has been dedicated for the full width of the Frontage of the Lot to Standard Hillside Limited Street dimensions or to a lesser width as determined by the City Engineer.  The appellate procedures provided in LAMC 12.37 I. of this Code shall be available for relief from this requirement.
  • (2)   Adjacent Minimum Roadway Width:  For any new construction of, or addition to a One-Family Dwelling on a Lot fronting on a Substandard Hillside Limited Street that is improved with a roadway width of less than 20 feet, no Building permit or Grading permit shall be issued unless the construction or addition has been approved pursuant to LAMC 12.24.X.28. of this Code.
  • (3)   Minimum Roadway Width (Continuous Paved Roadway):  For any new construction of, or addition to, a One-Family Dwelling on a Lot that does not have a vehicular access route from a Street improved with a minimum 20-foot wide continuous paved roadway from the driveway apron that provides access to the main residence to the boundary of the Hillside Area, no Building permit or Grading permit shall be issued unless the construction or addition meets the requirements of this Subdivision 10 or has been approved by a Zoning Administrator pursuant to LAMC 12.24.X.28 of this Code.

Note:  If this Clearance item appears, Building & Safety has made the determination this project is subject to the requirements of the Hillside Ordinance (BOE does not make this determination).   

Note: BOE created the Customer Service Request (CSR) Portal (located in the Customer Portal) to allow members of the public to make contact with City Staff for questions and/or assistance on any permit or development services related matter.  This includes requesting clearances for building permits.

The following is the process of updating BHO / Hillside Ordinance (Street(s) Along Lot Frontage(s) Minimum 20' Wide) clearance status on the Clearance Summary Worksheet.  This process is done through the LA Department of Building and Safety's (LADBS) Plan Check and Inspection System (PCIS) under the module called "Clearances".

BOE staff should verify the following: 

1. Go to NavigateLA and search for the street address
   1. Select "Hillside Referral Report (BAS)" under the Available Parcel Reports to review the Hillside Referral Form
      1. Yes a Referral was done (BOE would see the option to select an edited PDF):
         1. Review the Hillside Referral Form "Public Works" section to determine roadway and right of way widths abutting or adjacent to the subject property
         2. If available, review the ZAD provided by the Applicant.  The ZAD will provide one of three determinations and is the only Department which can provide a Waiver of Dedication and/or Improvements (PCM).  If No ZAD Determination was made, the Applicant shall obtain a B Permit to widen the road.  BOE to update the item as "Approved with Conditions" on the Clearance Summary Worksheet including adding the B Permit number (must be suitably guaranteed) in the comments section of the Clearance item (see below for instructions)
            1. Approve - BOE to update the item as "Approved with Conditions" on the Clearance Summary Worksheet, including adding the ZA case number and, if applicable, the B Permit number (must be suitably guaranteed) in the comments section of the Clearance item (see below for instructions)
            2. Dismiss - Applicant has been denied and shall obtain a B Permit to widen the road.  BOE to update the item as "Approved with Conditions" on the Clearance Summary Worksheet including adding the B Permit number (must be suitably guaranteed) in the comments section of the Clearance item (see below for instructions)
            3. Deny - Applicant has been denied and shall obtain a B Permit to widen the road.  BOE to update the item as "Approved with Conditions" on the Clearance Summary Worksheet including adding the B Permit number (must be suitably guaranteed) in the comments section of the Clearance item (see below for instructions)
      2. No Hillside Referral Form was done
         1. BOE staff would begin the process of preparing the Hillside Referral Form.  See the Hillside Referral Form section of this manual under the Administrative Requirements section.
         2. Once the Hillside Referral Form is done, complete the steps in 1.A.I above.
2. Login to PCIS and complete the following:
   1. Click the "Clearance" module button
   2. Enter the Application number in the "Application #" field
   3. Click the "Agency Specific Search" button
   4. Confirm BHO / Hillside Ordinance is listed in the Condition / Clearance Name field AND the "Description" field contains "Identify street classification (Standard or Substandard) and improvement/dedication required per Hillside Ord. (LAMC 12.21.A.17(e) - General Provisions, Use, One-Family Dwellings, Accessory Buildings and Additions.  Hillside Regulations, Street Access or LAMC 12.21C.10(i))"
   5. Click the "Comment" box in the upper right side on the screen
      1. List all the streets abutting or adjacent to the subject property and whether they are standard or substandard AND if dedication is required.
         1. Sample Comment 1 - Main St is greater than 28' (Standard) and requires a 2' dedication.
            Note: BOE Staff to add "RW60000-XXXXX" to this comment once the applicant returns and initiates the dedication process.
         2. Sample Comment 2 - Side St. is less than 20' (Substandard) and requires no dedication. "B" Permit #BR001234 has been suitably guaranteed
         3. Sample Comment 3 - Planning Case : ZA-2019-1234-ZAD grants relief from providing a 20-foot wide adjacent minimum roadway width on two substandard hillside limited streets  
         4. Sample Comment 4 - Planning Case : ZA-2019-1234-ZAD grants relief from providing a 20-foot wide adjacent minimum roadway width on Side St. and Main St. to be widened per "B" Permit #BR001234 which has been suitably guaranteed
   6. Update the "Status" field to one of the following:
      1. Pending - Used when determination is provided and the improvement and/or dedication is still pending
      2. Denied - Used when applicant has no ZAD and/or no B Permit suitably guaranteed
      3. Approved - Used when all roads are 20' wide and no dedication is required
      4. Approved with Conditions
         1. Used if ZAD provided relief for all streets to be widened to 20' or if B Permit is suitably guaranteed to widen streets to 20' and/or make any required public right of way improvements
         2. Used if Dedication is required and application has been received
      5. Approved for Drainage - Not used
   7. Click "Save Status" (if this is not clicked, the worksheet will not save)

CPR Evaluation Christine to check with Albert Tam if BOE needs to verify CPR

1. Go to NavigateLA and search for the street address
2. Select "Hillside Referral Report (BAS)" under the Available Parcel Reports to review the Hillside Referral Form
   1. Yes a Referral was done (BOE would see the option to select an edited PDF):
      1. Review the Hillside Referral Form "Vehicular Access", item 3
         1. "No":  Applicant to provide BOE with a copy of the Zoning Administrator Determination (ZAD) per LAMC 12.24.X.21 or 12.24.X.28 or the roadway shall be widened to a minimum 20 foot width throughout via a Public Works construction permit (BOE staff to read all ZAD conditions).  The ZAD will provide one of the following determinations: 
            1. Approve - BOE to update the item as "Approved with Conditions" on the Clearance Summary Worksheet, including adding the ZA case number and, if applicable, the B Permit number (must be suitably guaranteed) in the comments section of the Clearance item
            2. Deny - Applicant has been denied and shall obtain a B Permit to widen the road.  BOE to update the item as "Approved with Conditions" on the Clearance Summary Worksheet including adding the B Permit number (must be suitably guaranteed) in the comments section of the Clearance item
            3. Dismiss - Applicant has been denied and shall obtain a B Permit to widen the road.  BOE to update the item as "Approved with Conditions" on the Clearance Summary Worksheet including adding the B Permit number (must be suitably guaranteed) in the comments section of the Clearance item
            4. No ZAD Determination -  Applicant shall obtain a B Permit to widen the road.  BOE to update the item as "Approved with Conditions" on the Clearance Summary Worksheet including adding the B Permit number (must be suitably guaranteed) in the comments section of the Clearance item
         2. "Yes": CPR is greater than 20' 
            1. BOE to update the Clearance Summary Worksheet as "Approved" including adding comment about the CPR being greater than 20' in the comments section of the Clearance item