10 - Landscaping and Irrigation

In general, a Revocable Permit and Construction (A or B) Permit will be required when installing landscaping and irrigation in all zones except:

1. RE
2. R-1
3. R-2
4. R-3

The following guidelines are applicable for zones designated as "RE, R-1, R-2, and R-3".  

LAMC 62.169 - Permit Required to Plant in Streets 

1. No person shall plant, remove, destroy, cut, prune or deface or in any manner injure any tree, shrub or plant in any street in the City, without first obtaining a permit to do so from the Board.
2. No permit is required by the owner of property fronting the parkway portion of the street in an area zoned for residential use in order for the owner to remove existing shrubs and plants, but not trees, and replace the shrubs and plants with landscaping, including edible plant materials, provided the owner complies with the Residential Parkway Landscaping Guidelines adopted by the Board. Landscaping not consistent with the Residential Parkway Landscaping Guidelines shall only be allowed if the owner first obtains a permit from the Board.
3. The owner of property fronting the parkway portion of the street in an area zoned for residential use who landscapes the owner's parkway shall be required to maintain the landscaping in accordance with Residential Parkway Landscaping Guidelines adopted by the Board, and the provisions of this Code. 
4. The Board shall adopt Residential Parkway Landscaping Guidelines that shall identify the types of landscaping, including edible plant materials, which may be planted without a permit, as well as planting, siting and maintenance requirements for such landscaping.

Allowable landscaping and irrigation shall be approved by the Bureau of Street Services (StreetsLA), Engineering Services Division.   

An R Permit, in addition to either an "A"- or "B" Permit (required for the installation or construction of the R Permit approved installations) will be required when the project contains the following elements:

• Nonstandard parkway landscape improvements, such as:
  • Decorative paving
  • Non-vegetative groundcover
  • Continuously pressurized irrigation lines/systems/valves
  • Irrigation systems within the commercial parkway area
  • Active stormwater capture systems

Many or most nonstandard parkway landscape improvements will fall into the Tier 2 Revocable Permit category and require additional investigation.  Additional fees may be required depending on the complexity of the design and size of the proposed installation.  NOTE: Applicants can request a meeting with Design Standards & Investigation Group (DSIG) to discuss the options for non-standard materials, including what other materials the City may accept due to previous use on projects within the City limits.  Applicants should complete the Request for DSIG Review of Revocable Permits form to request this meeting.  This meeting will require the applicant to pay a deposit for the meeting.

There is NO R Permit required under the following conditions:

1. Irrigation systems installed in the residential parkway areas, provided there are no continuous pressurized lines or valves of any sort in the public ROW
2. If plants listed under the preferred drought-tolerant turf substitute plant species listed in the Parkway Landscaping Guidelines are installed in front of residential properties

Once the information has been vetted, City Staff will prepare a Revocable Permit Requirements (RPR) letter.

VETTING PROCESS

1. Does the project include decorative paving, non-vegetative groundcover, continuously pressurized irrigation lines/systems, or active stormwater capture systems?
   1. No, this would not be a Revocable Permit.
   2. Yes
      1. If work involves removing sidewalk or a concrete surface to install landscaping, BOE Staff must discuss with the District Engineer prior to proceeding with the permitting process.
      2. Written approval from the StreetsLA, Engineering Services Division will be required.  If applicable, StreetsLA approval for hardscaping and landscaping materials comes from the Parkway Landscaping Guidelines (only to be used in approved Residential Zones as stated in the guidelines)
         1. Landscaping plans can be dropped off or mailed to StreetsLA, Engineering Services Division is located at 1149 S. Broadway, 4th Floor in Los Angeles Attn: "A", "B" Permit, Revocable Plan Check.  Plans must be mailed at this time to this address as there is no staff available to receive documents.
      3. Written approval from Design Standards and Investigation Group
      4. Written approval (can be an email) from the R Permit Landscape Review Committee (forward to the Central District R Permit Manager).  This committee is responsible for confirming the landscaping being proposed will not displace any allowable encroachments.
      5. Is the project located in a Historic Preservation Overlay Zone (HPOZ)?
         1. Yes, written approval from Planning will be required
      6. Stormwater capture system must be designed to BOE Standard Plans
         1. S-480-0 – Green Streets General Requirements
         2. S-481-0 - Parkway Swale in Major/Secondary Highways
         3. S-482-0 - Parkway Swale in Local/Collector Streets
         4. S-483-0 - Parkway Swale with No Street Parking
         5. S-484-0 - Vegetated Stormwater Curb Extension (VSCE)
         6. S-485-0 - Interlocking Pavers for Vehicular Alleys
         7. S-486-0 - Interlocking Pavers for Pedestrian Alleys
         8. S-487-0 - Residential Parkway Basin (Without Curb Inlet)
         9. S-488-0 - Residential Parkway Basin (With Curb Inlet)
      7. An “A” or “B” Permit will be required for the construction/installation of the improvement