Chris Parker / October 21, 2021
Of all the COVID-related delays facing homeowners and developers working in the City of Los Angeles, one of the most frustrating has to be the increased delays in obtaining approval for Low Impact Development (LID) design from the Bureau of Sanitation. This process, which could conceivably be done in a single day pre-COVID, is now taking anywhere from four to six months for even small additions where LID is required (any project that adds or replaces 500 SF or more of impervious area).
In October 2020, Sanitation moved to on online portal submittal process for all new LID plan checks. While there were some snags in adapting to the new system, it wasn’t until early 2021 that initial review times for LID plans increased dramatically: first to 30 business days, and then to 45 business days (9 weeks). Once corrections are received, each additional resubmittal has been taking 3-4 weeks. This includes the final step in the LID plan check process—submitting a copy of the recorded Master Covenant and Agreement (wherein the owner agrees to maintain the LID system) to the plan checker along with the final plan set for stamping. Even this process, which could be done same-day pre-COVID, is taking 3-4 weeks from the time of submittal.
BOS hasn’t explained why processing times have risen dramatically, but it is assumed that delays have been caused by a mix of understaffing combined with an increase in the number of projects being submitted. And as delays have worsened, the plan checkers are getting more and more emails and phone calls from angry applicants to check on status to the point where one plan checker told us they are no longer reviewing emails, as they otherwise would spend their entire day responding to emails instead of reviewing projects. While the recent addition of several new plan checkers appears to be improving the backlog, the delays continue to set the timeline for many projects.
All of this makes it increasingly important that plans be submitted to Sanitation for review as soon as possible (ideally as soon as building plan check fees are paid and a permit application number is assigned). Working with knowledgeable professionals to review plans prior to initial and subsequent submittals and preparing the necessary paperwork in advance can also help ensure that corrections are minimal and fully addressed the first time.
