Best Site Plan Approval Consultant Los Angeles
We help Los Angeles developers and property owners go through city approvals smoothly, turning complex site plans into approved projects.
Get Expert Guidance to Move Your Project from Vision to Approval
In Los Angeles, getting your site plan approved isn’t just a box to check — it’s a defining step that can make or break your development timeline. Every project, from a small infill to a mixed-use complex, must pass through the city’s complex web of zoning, environmental, and design reviews. That’s where a Site Plan Approval Consultant in Los Angeles comes in.
At JDJ Consulting Group, we help developers, architects, and investors go through these layers with precision. Our team understands how each department — from City Planning to Building and Safety — evaluates your proposal. We make sure your site plan tells the right story and meets every code requirement the first time.
What Is Site Plan Approval in Los Angeles?
Site Plan Approval is a formal review process. It is required for most new developments, expansions, and major renovations. It ensures your proposed project aligns with:
Local zoning regulations
General Plan designations
Environmental and design standards
Depending on your parcel and project type, site plan approval can involve multiple layers of review — including TOC, SB 9, ED1, or density bonus provisions. Each layer adds more documentation and technical detail.
For most developers, these reviews are not only complex but constantly changing. City staff expect complete and consistent submittals, and even minor errors can send a project back to square one.
That’s why working with an experienced site plan approval consultant can save months of delay and thousands in redesign costs.
Approvals by Project Type (sample)
Book ConsultationHow many site plan approvals were completed last year by project type (sample dataset).
Why Site Plan Approval Matters More Than Ever in 2025
Los Angeles is reshaping how it approaches development. After years of housing shortages and policy reforms, the city is tightening its review processes. It aims to balance growth with environmental and community concerns.
Recent updates to zoning code modernization, TOC incentives, and housing streamlining programs like ED1 mean that every site plan now carries more weight.
A misstep — like an inaccurate floor area ratio (FAR), missing landscape buffer, or incomplete parking calculation — can trigger long review cycles or even denial.
That’s why in 2025, developers are turning to specialized consultants to:
Manage pre-filing meetings with Planning staff
Prepare technical drawings and narratives
Coordinate across multiple city departments
Ensure compliance with local ordinances, CEQA, and Specific Plans
When approvals are tied to financing or entitlement deadlines, professional oversight becomes more than a convenience.
What a Site Plan Approval Consultant Actually Does
A good consultant doesn’t just organize paperwork — they anticipate the questions reviewers will ask and prepare your project to answer them.
At JDJ Consulting Group, our consultants manage every step with a structured approach:
1. Zoning and Feasibility Review
Before drafting a site plan, we analyze your property’s zoning, overlays, and entitlement history. We identify what’s possible, what’s restricted, and what approvals you’ll need.
This prevents surprises later and helps shape your architectural program to match zoning allowances.
2. Pre-Application Strategy
We help prepare for the Planning Department’s pre-application review, where staff often provide early feedback. This stage can make your later submission smoother — if handled correctly.
We summarize your project’s intent, potential variances, and density opportunities in a professional, planner-friendly format.
3. Technical Coordination and Document Preparation
Our consultants work with your design team to ensure all drawings and documents meet submittal standards. We review:
Site and floor plans
Elevations and cross-sections
Parking and circulation layouts
Grading and landscaping plans
Drainage, access, and utilities
We also prepare written findings that demonstrate how your project complies with city policies.
4. Agency Liaison and Submittal Management
Once your materials are ready, we coordinate with:
LA City Planning Department
Bureau of Engineering (BOE)
Fire Department
Environmental and Transportation divisions
We manage responses, clarifications, and corrections so your project stays on track.
5. Ongoing Advocacy and Revisions
During review, city staff may request design adjustments or additional data. We represent you in meetings and advocate for practical, code-compliant solutions.
Our goal: get your project approved without unnecessary redesign or delay.
Site Plan Approval — Process Flow
Book ConsultationThe Most Common Site Plan Approval Challenges in Los Angeles
Every developer who’s worked in Los Angeles knows — the approval process can feel like a maze. Below are a few of the challenges our clients face most often:
1. Inconsistent Department Feedback
Different agencies sometimes interpret the same regulation differently. A design that satisfies Planning may conflict with Building or Fire codes. Consultants act as translators between departments.
2. Missing Technical Requirements
Incomplete documentation is the number one cause of delays. From drainage calculations to landscaping ratios, missing details can stall a review for weeks.
3. Zoning Uncertainty and Layered Overlays
Many LA parcels sit within special overlays such as Hillside, Specific Plan, or TOC zones. Each has unique requirements that interact differently.
4. CEQA and Environmental Review Triggers
Even minor projects can trigger environmental review if located near sensitive areas. Understanding thresholds and exemptions early avoids major setbacks.
5. Political and Community Concerns
Public hearings and neighborhood input often influence approvals. A consultant helps prepare supporting materials that address community and design concerns before they escalate.
How JDJ Consulting Group Simplifies Site Plan Approvals
We believe approvals shouldn’t be mysterious. At JDJ Consulting Group, our process is designed to give you transparency, predictability, and peace of mind.
Step 1: Project Intake and Assessment
We start by reviewing your site data, architectural plans, and zoning information. Then we outline a clear strategy for what approvals you’ll need — and the fastest path to get them.
Step 2: Documentation and Coordination
We collaborate with your architect and engineer to create complete, ready-to-review packages. Every document meets City of Los Angeles standards for site plan submittal.
Step 3: Filing and Agency Communication
We file your application, monitor the review process, and maintain regular communication with city staff. You’ll receive progress updates and action steps throughout.
Step 4: Corrections and Resubmittals
If reviewers request clarifications, we handle them efficiently. Our experience allows us to predict and resolve most correction notes before they cause delay.
Step 5: Final Approval and Next Steps
Once your site plan is approved, we guide you through what comes next — building permits, plan check coordination, or entitlement extensions if needed.
Site Plan Time & Cost Estimator
Book ConsultationGet a quick estimate based on project type and complexity. This is an estimator — contact us for a tailored quote.
Why Choose JDJ Consulting Group
Los Angeles is filled with consultants who claim to “expedite” approvals. But at JDJ, we focus on strategic project management, not shortcuts.
Here’s what sets us apart:
Experience Across Project Types — From multifamily and mixed-use to commercial and adaptive reuse.
Department Relationships — We maintain professional working relationships with city planners, reviewers, and agency staff.
Technical Accuracy — Every submittal undergoes an internal compliance check before filing.
Transparency and Communication — You’ll always know the status of your application.
Results-Oriented Approach — Our goal is not just approval, but approval on time and within budget.
Our consultants have helped dozens of projects across Los Angeles — including in Downtown, Koreatown, Hollywood, and the Valley — secure approvals faster and with fewer revisions.
Who Benefits Most from a Site Plan Approval Consultant
Hiring a consultant is not only for large developers. You can benefit if you are:
A property owner planning to add units or convert an existing building
An architect seeking expert support through planning reviews
A real estate investor needing feasibility clarity before acquisition
A builder or contractor coordinating multiple city departments
A nonprofit or affordable housing provider working under ED1 or TOC
Even small projects — duplexes, SB 9 lot splits, or ADUs — need coordination between Planning and Building departments. A consultant ensures those transitions are smooth.
How Long Does Site Plan Approval Take in Los Angeles?
Timelines vary, but most site plan approvals in Los Angeles take 3 to 9 months, depending on:
Project size and complexity
Zoning overlays and specific plan areas
Environmental review requirements
Departmental workloads
With a consultant, those timelines often shorten. At JDJ, we reduce the average review time by anticipating corrections and ensuring submittal completeness.
Ready to Simplify Your Los Angeles Development?
Whether you’re pursuing entitlements, density bonuses, or zoning clarifications, our experts handle every stage of your city approvals with precision. Let’s make your project move forward — faster and smarter.
Schedule a ConsultationKey Documents Needed for Site Plan Approval
Every project is unique, but most applications require:
Completed Planning Application Form
Stamped Site, Floor, and Elevation Plans
Parking and Circulation Diagrams
Landscape and Drainage Plans
Environmental Clearance Forms
Written Findings and Justifications
Our consultants organize, review, and format all these documents according to city standards.
Common Los Angeles Site Plan Requirements
To help you understand what reviewers look for, here are some of the most common approval checkpoints:
Building placement and setbacks
Floor area ratio (FAR) and lot coverage
Height and massing consistency
Open space and landscaping ratios
Vehicular access and emergency clearances
Pedestrian safety and sidewalk design
Drainage, stormwater, and grading compliance
A well-prepared site plan reflects not only technical compliance but design sensitivity. Ultimately, showing that your project fits the neighborhood and planning intent.
What Happens After Site Plan Approval
Once your site plan is approved, you’ll typically move into:
Building Permit Application and Plan Check
Environmental Clearance or Mitigation (if required)
Community Design Overlay Reviews (if applicable)
Construction and Inspections
Our team stays involved as needed to help bridge from planning to construction permitting. Thus, ensuring continuity throughout.
The Cost of Site Plan Approval Consulting in Los Angeles
Costs vary based on project complexity and scope. That’s why, hiring a consultant often pays for itself through faster approvals and fewer redesigns.
Typical fees range from $5,000 to $25,000 for small-to-mid projects. Large, multi-phase developments can range higher due to the level of coordination required.
At JDJ, we provide transparent proposals upfront — no hidden charges, and clear deliverables at each milestone.
The Bottom Line
Getting a site plan approved in Los Angeles isn’t easy — and that’s okay. It’s a detailed, multi-step process that demands patience, precision, and the right guidance.
That’s where we come in.
A site plan approval consultant helps bridge the gap between your vision and the city’s expectations. We take the complexity out of the process. Hence, managing details, anticipating roadblocks, and keeping your project moving forward.
At JDJ Consulting Group, we combine technical know-how with real, on-the-ground experience. We’ve worked across Los Angeles — from Koreatown to Studio City. Equally helping developers, architects, and property owners turn plans into approvals.
If you’re ready to move from design to construction without unnecessary delays, let’s talk.
Reach out today for a quick free consultation — and let’s make your next project approval-ready. Call us at (818) 793-5058 or visit our contact page to get started.
Let’s Make Your Los Angeles Project Happen — the Right Way
At JDJ Consulting Group, we help you cut through the red tape so your project doesn’t get stuck in approvals. Our team handles everything from feasibility studies and zoning research to entitlements and permit expediting — all under one roof.
Whether you’re building new housing, upgrading a commercial property, or exploring what’s possible on your lot, we guide you through every city department with practical advice and a clear roadmap. Our goal is simple — make your development process faster, smoother, and stress-free.
Schedule Your ConsultationWorking across Los Angeles — from Downtown to the Valley, Westside, and South LA.
