09 - Adopt-a-Median

Revised on 10-08-2024

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Adopt-A-Median projects will require a Revocable Permit from BOE as well as a Construction A Permit or Construction B Permit from BOE.  The fees associated with the Revocable and Construction A Permit will be waived.  If a Construction B Permit is required, the Neighborhood-based Group would be required to apply for the "B" Permit with BOE and pay all applicable permit fees.  The total construction value of the Adopt-A-Median project can NOT exceed $100,000.  Adopt a Median projects can not exceed $100,000.

The Adopt-A-Median Program was originally established in 1988, under the authority of the Board of Public Works as part of the Operation Clean Sweep Program. The program was designed to empower neighborhoods to engage in community beautification efforts.  Constituent groups may apply for an Adopt-a-Median project through the Board of Public Works, Office of Community Beautification (OCB), who will process their application, shepherd it through a City review, advocate for the project's adoption with the Board of Public Works, and then apply for a permit on their behalf.  The general public does not apply for the Revocable Permit directly with BOE.  The Board of Public Works, Office of Community Beautification (OCB) staff will obtain a permit on their behalf.

The Adopt-A-Median program has evolved into a tool for the community to:

  • Beautify and increase the quality of life in neighborhoods
  • Promote community involvement (not a company advertisement) through landscape and streetscape projects
  • Promote a sense of ownership by community members through “sweat equity” on their projects
  • Infuse the landscape of the City of Los Angeles with color, culture, and creativity

The types of projects covered under the Adopt-A-Median program include:

  1. Roadway Median Island Projects
  2. New Trash Receptacle Projects
  3. Mural/Statue/Obelisk Projects (painted on City owned property in the public right-of-way)
  4. Community Signage
  5. Other Landscape Improvements

There is also an option when apply for an Adopt-A-Median project with OCB to "fast track" the review process.  Currently, this option exists only for Roadway Median Islands only. This option allows for simple planting and decomposed granite ground cover on either an oblong, triangular, or turning lane median. Constituent groups would agree to conform to PRE-APPROVED designs/specifications, and the review and permitting process would take approximately 30 business days to complete. 

Office of Community Beautification (OCB) Involvement

OCB acts a ‘conduit’ between the constituent group and the various City entities that are responsible for reviewing and approving a proposed project. OCB staff serve as the main point of contact for the City in regards to project status, and its navigation through the process of approval and permitting.  OCB will coordinate the approvals of the various City agencies/departments involved, inclding but not limited to:

  1. DOT approval of traffic control
  2. BSS approval for hardscaping and landscaping materials from the (Parkway Landscaping Guidelines)
  3. BSL approval of proposed lighting
  4. Cultural Affairs approval of art or monuments
  5. LADWP if lighting or irrigation is involved
  6. BOS to avoid sewer conflicts

Neighborhood-based groups must act as a sponsor and submit the application to adopt the "public right-of-way" with the purpose of beautifying and maintaining public spaces. Neighborhood groups include:

  1. Homeowners’ Associations
  2. Neighborhood Councils
  3. Improvement Associations
  4. Block Clubs
  5. Neighborhood Watch Groups
  6. A Chamber of Commerce
  7. Beautification Committee
  8. City of L.A. Council Office (a City Council Office applying to Adopt-a-Median must partner with a community group willing to provide maintenance in perpetuity) 

The OCB has developed a very detailed OCB Adopt-A-Median Information Packet which which details OCB's requirements for each type of project covered under the Adopt-A-Median program .

BOE Requirements

Roadway Median Island Projects

  1. BOE staff to determine if the project falls under the  "Fast Track" or regular review process.  If all the "FAST TACK" requirements are met, BOE
    1. "Fast Track" projects only apply to Roadway Median Projects.  Any variance to these pre-approved parameters will result in the standard review process for projects 
      1. Project must conform to the pre-approved designs/specifications as shown on the OCB Website under Adopt-A-Median FAST TRACK. 
        1. Street Services "Parkway Landscaping Guidelines" are adhered to
        2. City List of Elements that may used in traffic medians
        3. Council District Support Letter stating the pre-determined design parameters are being utilized
        4.   One of the four options for Landscaped Median design (Oblong Median Option, Oblong Median Option 2, Triangular Median Option, and Turn Lane Median Option)
  2. BOE staff to confirm all appropriate documents have been received from OCB (either hard copy or PDF), including:
    1.  Signed “Adopt-A-Median Neighborhood Beautification Partnership” Agreement (PDF format)
    2. Signed and completed Maintenance Agreement (PDF format) 
    3. Signed and completed Waiver and Release of Claims form (PDF format)
    4. Signed letter of support from the Council Member presiding over the project location on Councilmember’s City letterhead (PDF format)
    5. (OPTIONAL) A signed letter of support from the Neighborhood Council (NHC) presiding over the project location on NHC letterhead (PDF format)
    6. (OPTIONAL) Signed letters of support from business/home owners in the immediate area (PDF format)
    7. Current photographs of the project site from multiple angles (PDF format)
    8. A rendering of what the completed project will look like (PDF format) 
    9. A cost listing of the materials (costs can be estimated) that will be used for the proposed improvement (PDF format) (project should be under $100,000 in total cost)
    10. A plant listing including plant species, quantities, container sizes and spacing, irrigation equipment/system components, decorative paving materials, street furniture, community signage, etc. (PDF format)
    11. Plant Diagram indicating the positioning of all plants (Hard Copy only) (Sample Planting Diagrams can be found on the OCB website)
    12. Irrigation Plan (Hard Copy only)
    13. Scaled (measurable) 24" x 36" project plans showing the proposed encroachments and/or improvements in relation to property lines  and existing infrastructure, such as: power poles, light poles, traffic signals, utility boxes, sidewalks, curbs, storm  drains, trees, etc. Proposed improvements such as decorative paving, community signage, or furniture will require additional detail drawings or instructions that show  or note how these proposed elements will be secured to the site (please refer to the sample .pdf files on the OCB website) (Hard Copy only).
      1. Project will maintain structures below 36” in height from road surface for freestanding objects, such as street furniture or signage. Acceptable exceptions to this requirement include, but are not limited to, murals on existing walls and/or new trees.
      2. Project should be free of improvements that require extensive technical review such as: alterations to the horizontal alignment of the street (i.e. changes to the street width, curbs, gutters, median locations/shapes, or traffic lanes), alterations to the water drainage patterns on the street, alterations to traffic lane alignment(s) or street parking, high voltage (120V) electrical equipment drawing in excess of 330 watts, fountains/water features requiring pump equipment, etc.”
  3. Have all fees been approved
    1. Revocable Permit fee are waived
    2. Construction A Permit fees are waived
    3. If the Applicant is required to obtain a Construction "B" Permit for installation of the median improvements, the Applicant will be responsible for paying all appropriate fees.  
  4. If not a "FAST TRACK" project, BOE staff would review the plans for engineering accuracy through the A Permit process
  5. BOE staff would process the Revocable permit through the online application per the 00 - Revocable (R) Permit Application Processing Procedures in this manual.

New Trash Receptacle Projects

  1. BOE staff to confirm all appropriate documents have been received from OCB (either hard copy or PDF), including:
    1.  Signed “Adopt-A-Median Neighborhood Beautification Partnership” Agreement (PDF format)
    2. Signed and completed Waiver and Release of Claims form (PDF format)
    3. Signed and completed Maintenance Agreement (PDF format) 
    4. A listing (1-page if possible) of all the trash receptacles to be placed in the public right-of-way.  Each receptacle shall:
      1. Be numbered
      2. Include the approximate address where it will be located (i.e., RECEPTACLE 1 - 201 N. Figueroa, LA, CA 90012
    5. A map of the general area and placement location of each receptacle with a red dot.  Applicants can use NavigateLA or other common mapping programs like Google.  Applicants may also draw the map.
      1. BOE staff to confirm there are no conflicts with  the City's Coordinated Street Furniture Program or other existing City agreements or contracts
      2. BOE staff to confirm all current ADA requirements are being met, including (different than other R-Permit requirements (PCM)):
        1. Minimum Clearance: A 4-foot clear space between encroachments (receptacles) and obstructions, such as power poles, street lights, parking meters and trees has been maintained as the Pedestrian Access Route (PAR).  The minimum required clear space between encroachments (receptacles) and fixed street amenities such as poles, parking meters, tree wells, street lights and signs shall be four feet, provided that ADA compliant passing areas are provided at 200 feet intervals.
        2. Minimum 2 feet required from the receptacle to the curb face
        3. Minimum 4 feet required from the far-end of the receptacle to the property line
        4. Minimum 6 feet from edge of driveways
    6. Photos of each location where the receptacle will be placed, including a red oval to mark the place where the receptacle will be placed
    7. Technical information about the receptacles, including:
      1. Photo of the receptacle being used
      2. Dimensions
      3. Weight
        Type
      4. Vendor contact information
    8. Information about how the receptacle will be secured/anchored to the ground, including:
      1. Type of bolt(s) to be used
      2. Size of the bolt(s)
      3. Installation contractor information (must be licensed and insured)
  2. Have all fees been approved
    1. Revocable Permit fee are waived
    2. Construction A Permit fees are waived
    3. If the Applicant is required to obtain a Construction "B" Permit for installation of the median improvements, the Applicant will be responsible for paying all appropriate fees.  
  3. BOE staff would process the Revocable permit through the online application per the 00 - Revocable (R) Permit Application Processing Procedures in this manual

 

Enforcement

BOE staff are not tasked with inspecting or monitoring compliance with the permit requirements.  BSS is the primary enforcement agency; however, BCA has also been badged to provide additional enforcement. The BSS Investigation and Enforcement Division will be notified to investigate any complaints. Citations may be issued for non-compliance. Compliance with permit requirements may include but are not limited to the following:

  1. No encroachments are within the visibility triangle as described in LAMC 62.200 - Street Intersections - Obstructions to Visibility
  2. No advertising is allowed in the public right-of-way per LAMC 67.02 - Construction of Signs on Streets or Other Public Property
  3. Others, to be determined by BSS