Step 3: Pay Final Permit Fees

After all departments approve your plans, LADBS issues a fee summary. You’ll pay:

• Permit fees

• Plan check fees

• Inspection fees

• Any outstanding city charges (like linkage fees or transportation impact fees)

Once payment is made and all paperwork is in, your application reaches RTI status.

Why JDJ’s Clients Reach RTI Faster

The difference between waiting months and moving quickly often comes down to preparation. Here’s a snapshot of how we streamline the process:

Our team doesn’t just submit forms—we help you manage the entire permitting journey from concept to RTI and beyond.

Why RTI Permitting Often Becomes a Bottleneck

Getting to the RTI stage sounds straightforward—submit plans, get approvals, pay fees, and you’re done, right? Not always.

In Los Angeles, many projects stall just before RTI. The city’s process is layered, and even one small oversight can push timelines back by weeks—or even months. Let’s break down why RTI permitting often hits delays and what can be done about it.

Zoning and Land Use Complications

Zoning laws in LA are anything but simple. You may be dealing with:

• Specific Plan Overlays (like Venice Coastal Zone or Hollywood Community Plan)

• Transit Oriented Communities (TOC) incentives

• Hillside or High Fire Severity Zones

• SB 9 or ED1 eligibility rules

If your project doesn’t fully align with current zoning or needs a variance, you won’t get RTI until those issues are resolved.

Uncoordinated City Departments

Each city agency operates independently. Planning may sign off, but Public Works might ask for a new sewer connection study. Or LADWP might delay electrical clearance.

At JDJ, we’ve seen too many projects delayed because no one was tracking all approvals. That’s why we offer full RTI management—our team follows up with every agency so nothing falls through the cracks.

Missing or Incorrect Documents

Even one unchecked box on an energy form or a missing geotechnical report can keep your permit from reaching RTI. City staff won’t issue a permit if even one document is outdated or missing.

We solve this with detailed pre-submittal checklists customized for each project type—so you’re not caught off guard late in the game.

Key Documents and Preparation for RTI Readiness

If you want to avoid delays and get your RTI status quickly, your best strategy is strong preparation. Having the right documents, plans, and authorizations from the start makes all the difference.

Here are the core documents required to reach RTI in Los Angeles:

Who Submits What?

The truth is—most property owners aren’t sure who’s responsible for each document. That’s where JDJ steps in. We coordinate directly with:

• Architects

• Civil and structural engineers

• Energy consultants

• Environmental teams

• Utility providers

This saves time, reduces errors, and improves your odds of reaching RTI on the first review cycle.

Timeline and Costs Associated with RTI in Los Angeles

You’re probably wondering: How long does it take to get RTI status? And—how much will it cost?

The answers vary by project type, property location, and how well-prepared your team is. Below, we’ve outlined the average timelines and cost factors most developers face in Los Angeles.

General Timeline for RTI Status

Tip: Projects that qualify for ED1 fast-track or TOC incentives can see some timelines shortened—but only if your paperwork is airtight.

Breakdown of Typical RTI Costs

RTI permitting doesn’t come with a flat rate. It involves a combination of plan check fees, department review fees, inspection fees, and permit issuance charges.

Here’s a rough cost overview:

Note: These are average ranges. JDJ provides upfront estimates so you’re never caught off guard.

How JDJ Consulting Group Supports RTI Permitting Projects

Getting RTI status isn’t just about submitting forms—it’s about knowing who to talk to, when to escalate, and how to stay on top of every moving piece. That’s where JDJ Consulting Group makes all the difference.

Whether you’re an investor, developer, or property owner, we help you save time, avoid mistakes, and get to the construction phase faster.

Here’s how we make that happen:

Initial Consultation and RTI Feasibility Assessment

Every project we take on begins with a strategy session. We look at your plans, location, and timeline, then flag potential roadblocks before you even submit to the city.

We answer questions like:

• Is your project eligible for ED1 or TOC incentives?

• Are you in a fire-prone or hillside zone?

• Will you need a zoning variance or CEQA review?

• Can parts of your plan qualify for express permitting?

From the start, we set clear expectations so you can make smart decisions and avoid wasted time.

Complete Document Preparation and Submittal Strategy

With JDJ, you’re not just getting a permit runner. You’re getting a team that prepares error-free, department-ready submittals.

We help coordinate:

• Architectural, civil, and structural drawings

• Energy and green building reports

• Soil, sewer, and utility studies

• Permit application forms and ownership authorizations

Once we review and assemble everything, we handle the submission—either electronically or in person—based on what your project needs.

Full Permit Tracking and Real-Time Communication with the City

After submission, we don’t just wait and hope. We actively track every department review and communicate with city agencies to keep things moving.

Our project managers monitor:

• Plan check comments and correction notices

• Departmental sign-offs and delays

• LADBS fee summaries and payment schedules

If there’s a holdup—we find out why and fix it fast. And you get regular updates, so you’re never left wondering what’s happening.