The LARR may be used only for projects permitted under the Code version specified on the LARR. To update the LARR to the Current LABC, when there are no changes to the existing products nor to any code requirements regarding your product, you may file an Application for Renewal/Clerical Modification. For Product Approvals that expire within 12 months, submit the fee for a Renewal and the approval will be updated during as it is renewed. For Products that do not expire within 12 months of the time of application, pay the clerical modification fee and check the respective box.

For LARRs based on a Model Code Agency Evaluation Report: 

The LARR cannot be updated unless the Evaluation Report specifies the corresponding Code Edition; ensure the Evaluation Report is Updated before filing to update your LARR. If additional products are added to the approval, or changes to the existing products have been made, or if additional testing or analysis is required due to code changes, you must file an Application for Technical Modification. A separate Renewal Application will need to be submitted if the LARR is scheduled to expire soon.

The application form for a Los Angeles City Research Report is available from the Los Angeles City Department of Building and Safety website. You may download it at New General Approval or Technical Modification.

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. The renewal application extends the expiration date of the approval from the previous re-evaluation due date listed on the current approval.

Section III of Alternate Building Materials Products Approval Requirements specifies the qualifications that Nationally Recognized Model Code Agency must meet for their Evaluation Report to be used as a basis for a Los Angeles City Research Report.

Currently, Evaluation Reports from the International Code Council Evaluation Services (ICC-ES) and, the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials Uniform Evaluation Service (IAPMO UES) may be used as a basis for a Los Angeles City Research Report.

Two forms must be completed together:

• Application for New General Approval or Technical Modification (PC-STR.App18)
• Application for Renewal and Clerical Modification of General Approval (PC-STR.App19)

Each form shall be processed separately with each its respective fee, specified on each application.  One check may be made for the total or separate checks may be sent with each application.

Our goal is to assign an application in approximately 5 weeks to one of our engineers and an additional 3-7 weeks (depending on the complexity of the submittal) for the evaluation to be completed, a draft copy of the research report to be written, and the final copy of the research report signed. If the substantiating data is incomplete, such as missing test reports, testing not conducted by an approved testing agency, incomplete or missing engineering calculations, etc., the time to obtain a Los Angeles City Research Report may take longer. 

Expedite report review is available pursuant to section 98.0422 of the Los Angeles City Municipal Code. The amount of the fee for this service is in addition to the normal review fee and is equal to one-half of the review fee.

The intent of the expedite service is to reduce the time to assign your application from approximately 5-weeks to 2- weeks. 

For an estimate of the current assignment time for the expediting service you may call the Building Research Section at (213) 202-9812.