Usually setbacks can be obtained from a current plot plan.
Who is the Architect on my neighbor's house?
The Architect information may be found on the Building Permit.
Why can't I obtain copies of my Plumbing and Electrical plans?
Building and Safety does not maintain copies of Plumbing or Electrical plans.
How do I obtain an application form for a Los Angeles City Research Report?
The application form for a Los Angeles City Research Report is available from the Los Angeles City Department of Building and Safety website.
Who can apply for a Los Angeles City Research Report?
Los Angeles Research Reports may be issued to an entity/company with the legal right to the product and the accompanying Technical Test Reports and Engineering Assessment. Test Reports shall bear the name of the applicant, unless a release letter accompanies the test report(s).
How can I renew my Los Angeles City Research Report?
Complete an Application for Renewal and Clerical Modification of General Approval as directed in the instructions available at dbs.lacity.gov. The fee is listed on the application based on the type of product approval previously obtained.
What is the process to obtain a Los Angeles City Research Report for my product?
The evaluation time frame is based on the complexity of the product. Contact the Engineering Research Section for the current status. The process to obtain a Los Angeles City Research Report consists of the following steps:
I have a Los Angeles City Research Report (LARR). How do I know if my approval is applicable to the current code?
The LARR may be used only for projects permitted under the Code version specified on the LARR.
I have a Los Angeles City Research Report (LARR) based on a Nationally Recognized Model Code Agency Evaluation Report. Is my Los Angeles City Research Report Approved for the Current Los Angeles City Building Code (LABC)?
Your products are approved for the Code version only listed on both the Evaluation Report and the LARR Approval Letter. If either product approval document does not list the current version of the Building Code, you will need to have these updated.
What does the “Code Date” listed on the Los Angeles Research Report mean?
The Code Date stated on a Research Report (upper right corner on first page of Research Report) identifies which Los Angeles Building Code (LABC) edition the product specified in the research report is approved for. Building projects and LARR approved products shall have the same Code Date.
What is a One-Time Approval and how do I apply for one?
Exceptions for products without proper approval are considered by the Structural Plan Check Division. See your plan checker and plan check supervisor regarding the process and fees required for an administrative approval.
Can I use testing conducted by our testing facility (in-house test lab)?
For General Approval – City of Los Angeles only:
What is a soft-story building?
A soft-story building is a structure which has a weaker first floor and is unable to carry the weight of the stories above during an earthquake.
What is retrofit?
Retrofit is an improvement to your building by altering or adding any structural elements.
Our Organization
What is this program about?
The purpose of this program is to reduce the risk of injury or loss of life that may result from the effects of earthquakes on wood frame soft-story buildings. In the Northridge Earthquake, many wood frame soft- story buildings caused loss of life, injury, and property damage.
What is the scope of this program?
This program applies to all existing buildings with the following criteria:
When will I receive my order to comply?
Each property owner of these buildings will be sent an order to comply. These orders will be sent accordingly based on the following priority: