Burbank Permit Permit Expeditors &
Land Use Entitlement Consultants
JDJ Consulting helps developers, property owners, architects, and project teams navigate real
estate development and land use approvals in Burbank, California.
Have a site in Burbank Permit?
Tell us what you’re trying to build, and we’ll map the fastest path
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Development Feasibility, Entitlements & Permit Expediting in Burbank, California
JDJ Consulting helps developers, property owners, architects, and project teams navigate real estate development and land use approvals in Burbank, California.
From early site feasibility and zoning analysis through Planning entitlements, building plan check, agency clearances, and permit issuance, we help identify what a property can support and establish the most practical path to approval.
Burbank is entering an important period of development change. Housing demand, Downtown transit-oriented planning, the Media District Specific Plan update, State housing laws, affordable housing requirements, and new transit-related development opportunities are creating new possibilities for properties that may historically have been considered primarily commercial or employment sites.
For developers, that means a property’s existing zoning may not tell the entire development story. JDJ evaluates the local and State regulations affecting the site and compares available development pathways before significant resources are committed to acquisition or design.
HAVE A PROPERTY OR DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY IN BURBANK?
Development Opportunities in Burbank
Where We See the Strongest Real Estate & Land Use Opportunities
MULTIFAMILY & AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Density Bonus • Inclusionary Housing • Infill Development
DOWNTOWN & METROLINK TOD
Downtown Burbank • Metrolink • Housing • Mixed-Use
MEDIA DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT
Workforce Housing • Mixed-Use • Media Employment Center
TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT
SB 79 • Transit Corridors • Higher-Density Housing
COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL REDEVELOPMENT
Housing Opportunity Sites • Mixed-Use • Adaptive Development
01. Multifamily & Affordable Housing Development
Housing should be the primary development focus of JDJ’s Burbank page.
Burbank’s 2021-2029 Housing Element establishes a Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) of 8,772 housing units, including a substantial affordable housing obligation.
RHNA stands for Regional Housing Needs Allocation. It is California’s process for assigning each city a target number of homes it must plan to accommodate during a Housing Element cycle. It does not mean the City itself must construct those homes; it means local zoning and land-use regulations must provide realistic capacity for the assigned housing need.
Because Burbank is largely built out, much of its future housing growth will need to occur through:
| • Infill development • Redevelopment • Mixed-use development • Transit-oriented housing • Density Bonus | • Affordable housing • Specific Plan updates • ADUs • Conversion or redevelopment of underutilized properties |
| For developers evaluating a housing site, JDJ can analyze: • Base residential density • Building height • FAR • Setbacks • Open space • Parking • Inclusionary Housing | •State Density Bonus • Incentives and concessions • Development-standard waivers • Affordable housing requirements • Specific Plan standards • Transit proximity • State housing streamlining • SB 79 implications • Required Planning approvals |
The most important question is not simply: How many units does the existing zoning allow? It is: What is the strongest development pathway available for this property?
02. Burbank Density Bonus & Community Benefits
Density Bonus should be one of the most prominent sections of the Burbank page.
California State Density Bonus Law can provide qualifying housing projects with:
• Additional residential density
• Incentives
• Concessions
• Development-standard waivers
• Parking benefits
• Other protections under State housing law
Burbank is also updating its local Density Bonus regulations. The City has been evaluating a Community Benefits Program that could create an additional local development pathway where qualifying housing projects receive increased development potential and streamlined or ministerial approval in exchange for specified community benefits.
Potential community benefits may include increased affordable housing.
Which Development Pathway Produces the Best Project?
Base Zoning → State Density Bonus → Community Benefits / Local Programs → State Housing Streamlining → Transit-Oriented Development → Recommended Development Scenario
JDJ compares the applicable pathways before recommending an entitlement strategy.
03. Burbank Inclusionary Housing
Affordable housing requirements should be evaluated early in Burbank.
Burbank’s Inclusionary Housing Ordinance applies to projects involving the construction of five or more new residential units.
The City’s current framework generally requires 15% of newly constructed residential units to be affordable.
For rental development, the existing program generally allocates 5% Very Low Income plus 10% Low Income.
For-sale projects have their own affordability requirements.
• Unit mix
• Development costs
• Density Bonus eligibility
• Financing assumptions
• Project design
• Affordable Housing Agreements
• Project schedule
• Certificate of Occupancy requirements
The City has also been evaluating updates to its Inclusionary Housing Ordinance. For that reason, affordable housing should be analyzed at the feasibility stage, not after the building has already been designed.
04. Downtown Burbank & Metrolink TOD Development
One of Burbank’s Most Important Emerging Development Areas
Downtown Burbank and the area surrounding the Downtown Burbank Metrolink Station represent one of the City’s most important long-term development opportunities.
The City is preparing a new Downtown Burbank Transit-Oriented Development Specific Plan. The planning area covers Downtown Burbank, the Metrolink station, and surrounding areas.
The City’s planning work is evaluating opportunities for:
• New housing
• Mixed-use development
• Infill development
• Transit-oriented development
• Commercial development
• Employment
• Improved pedestrian connectivity
• Bicycle infrastructure
• Better access to Metrolink
• Public realm improvements
For developers considering Downtown properties, the changing planning framework creates both opportunity and regulatory uncertainty.
• Existing zoning
• Existing Burbank Center Plan
• Proposed TOD Specific Plan
• Residential density
• FAR
• Height
• Mixed-use standards
• Parking
• Affordable housing
• Density Bonus
• Transit proximity
• State housing law
• SB 79
• Development timing
A Downtown Burbank site should therefore be analyzed against both current regulations and emerging planning policy.
05. Media District Development
Housing Meets Burbank’s Media & Entertainment Economy
The Media District is one of Burbank’s most distinctive development areas. Historically, the district has functioned as a major employment center anchored by media and entertainment uses.
But the City has identified a significant jobs-housing imbalance in the area.
Burbank is therefore updating the Media District Specific Plan with goals that include:
• Removing barriers to housing production
• Streamlining permitting
• Identifying residential opportunity sites
• Improving access to infrastructure and transportation
• Creating practical development and design standards
• Supporting a stronger jobs-housing balance
Workforce Housing
Housing serving employees within Burbank’s major employment centers.
Mixed-Use Development
Residential combined with compatible commercial or employment uses.
Residential Infill
Housing introduced on underutilized commercial sites.
Affordable Housing
Projects utilizing Density Bonus, inclusionary housing, or other housing incentives.
Commercial / Media Redevelopment
Modernization and redevelopment of existing employment properties.
For property owners and developers, the Media District update creates an important opportunity to reconsider sites that historically may have been evaluated only for commercial development.
06. Workforce Housing
Workforce housing deserves its own section on the Burbank page.
Burbank is unusual because of the concentration of major media, entertainment, aviation, and production employment relative to its housing supply. That makes housing near major employment centers particularly relevant.
• Multifamily housing near employment
• Mixed-use residential
• Affordable workforce housing
• Housing within or near the Media District
• Transit-oriented housing
• Housing near Downtown employment
• Housing near major transportation corridors
For developers, JDJ can evaluate whether affordable housing programs, Density Bonus, State housing laws, or emerging Specific Plan regulations improve the feasibility of workforce housing.
07. Transit-Oriented Development & SB 79
Transit-oriented development is becoming increasingly important in Burbank.
California SB 79 establishes development standards for qualifying properties near certain major transit facilities. Burbank is particularly affected because of its rail and planned Bus Rapid Transit infrastructure.
In 2026, transit-oriented development and SB 79 have become major local planning issues as the City evaluates how new State-mandated density and height standards may apply around qualifying transit stops.
• Increased residential density
• Increased height
• Reduced local development constraints
• New housing opportunities
• Changes to conventional zoning assumptions
• Infrastructure considerations
• Environmental review
• Interaction with local Specific Plans
For developers, this creates a significant site-selection opportunity. Properties that appear constrained under conventional zoning may have materially different development potential depending on their proximity to qualifying transit.
Transit Location → SB 79 Applicability → Existing Zoning → Specific Plan → Density Bonus → Affordable Housing → Resulting Development Opportunity
Because SB 79 implementation remains highly site-specific and continues to interact with local planning and environmental review, eligibility should be confirmed parcel by parcel.
08. Golden State / Airport-Area Redevelopment
Burbank’s Golden State area has historically functioned as an industrial and commercial employment district associatedwith the airport and surrounding businesses.
However, the City’s Housing Element has identified the broader Golden State area as an important component of its future housing strategy.
• Residential redevelopment
• Mixed-use development
• Affordable housing
• Workforce housing
• Commercial redevelopment
• Employment-supporting uses
• Transit-oriented development
Projects in this area may also require careful analysis of:
• Airport compatibility
• Noise
• Building height
• Aviation considerations
• Industrial adjacency
• Transportation
• Infrastructure
• Specific Plan requirements
For developers, this is exactly the type of area where early land-use feasibility is critical.
09. Commercial & Mixed-Use Redevelopment
Burbank’s commercial corridors contain numerous properties that may have redevelopment or change-of-use potential.
• Residential over commercial
• Mixed-use infill
• Commercial redevelopment
• Restaurants
• Medical and wellness
• Hotels
• Office
• Entertainment
• Creative businesses
• Production-related uses
• Neighborhood-serving commercial
JDJ evaluates:
• Permitted uses
• Conditional uses
• Mixed-use potential
• Housing potential
• Parking
• Change of use
• Specific Plan requirements
• Affordable housing
• Density Bonus
• Building and Fire requirements
• State housing opportunities
This analysis can be particularly valuable before acquisition or execution of a long-term lease.
10. Media, Studio & Production Development
Burbank’s identity as a media and entertainment center creates another development niche that should be represented on the page.
• Production facilities
• Studio space
• Creative offices
• Post-production
• Sound stages
• Media campuses
• Office modernization
• Commercial additions
• Support facilities
These projects may involve unique land-use and permitting considerations related to:
• Use classification
• Parking
• Loading
• Building height
• Sound
• Fire and life safety
• Production equipment
• Electrical demand
• Utility capacity
• Transportation
• Development standards
JDJ can coordinate the Planning and permitting pathway for qualifying media and production projects.
11. ADUs & Small-Scale Housing
Accessory Dwelling Units remain an important component of Burbank’s housing strategy.
• Detached ADUs
• Attached ADUs
• Garage conversions
• Multifamily ADUs
• Existing-space conversions
• JADUs
Burbank also contains hillside and fire-zone properties where additional site constraints can affect residential development.
• Zoning review
• ADU development standards
• Existing building conditions
• Fire requirements
• Hillside considerations
• Building plan check
• Agency clearances
• Correction tracking
• Permit issuance
Burbank Entitlements & Planning Approvals
Burbank Permit Expediting
We track outstanding comments, responsible consultants, resubmittals, agency dependencies, and approvals so the project team understands what is preventing permit issuance.
Burbank Development Feasibility & Due Diligence
Know the Development Path Before You Commit
Burbank is particularly well suited to early-stage feasibility because the City’s development framework is changing. A property’s current zoning may not represent its strongest development scenario.
What Actually Shapes a Development in Burbank?
Our Burbank Development Process
Who We Work With
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I build on my property in Burbank?
Development potential depends on zoning, General Plan designation, Specific Plan, transit proximity, existing development, proposed use, airport considerations, and applicable State housing laws. Housing sites should also be evaluated for Density Bonus, Inclusionary Housing, SB 79, and other applicable housing programs.may now have residential or mixed-use development pathways.
Does Burbank require affordable housing in new developments?
Burbank’s current Inclusionary Housing Ordinance applies to projects involving five or more newly constructed residential units. The existing program generally requires 15% of units to be affordable, subject to the City’s applicable regulations.
Can I use Density Bonus in Burbank?
Qualifying housing projects may use California State Density Bonus Law. Depending on the project, this can provide additional density, incentives, concessions, development-standard waivers, and parking benefits.
What development opportunities exist in Burbank's Media District?
The City is updating the Media District Specific Plan to facilitate additional housing, improve the jobs-housing balance, identify residential opportunity sites, streamline permitting, and update development standards.
Is Downtown Burbank planned for more housing?
Yes. Burbank is preparing a Downtown Transit-Oriented Development Specific Plan focused on Downtown and the Metrolink station area, including opportunities for housing, mixed-use and infill development.
How could SB 79 affect Burbank property?
Properties near qualifying transit facilities may be subject to State transit-oriented housing standards that affect density, height, and other development regulations. Applicability should be evaluated parcel by parcel.
Can JDJ review a Burbank property before acquisition?
Yes. JDJ can evaluate zoning, Specific Plans, density, housing programs, transit opportunities, airport considerations, entitlements, and major development risks before acquisition.
Can JDJ handle Planning and Building & Safety?
Yes. JDJ can coordinate projects from early feasibility and entitlement strategy through Planning approvals, building plan check, agency clearances, and permit issuance.
Planning a Development in Burbank?
Before committing to a property, unit count, use, or architectural concept, determine what the site actually allows – and whether Density Bonus, affordable housing, transit proximity, a Specific Plan update, SB 79, or another State housing program creates a stronger development path.
JDJ Consulting provides Burbank development feasibility, land use consulting, entitlement processing, zoning due diligence, Density Bonus analysis, transit-oriented development review, and permit expediting for multifamily, affordable housing, mixed-use, commercial, media, production, ADU, and infill development.
Have a Burbank property or project? Send us the property address and a brief description of the proposed development.