Pre-Submission Review · Free
Los Angeles, California
Additions are where setback and height violations happen most often. Your existing house was built compliant — but adding square footage changes the math on lot coverage, FAR, and setbacks. What was legal before may not be legal after the addition. A second-story addition, for example, can trigger increased side setback requirements in many California cities.
Additions are where setback and lot coverage violations happen most often. Your existing house was compliant when built — but adding square footage changes the math on lot coverage, FAR, setbacks, and parking. What was legal before may not be legal after an addition.
Critical checks for additions in Los Angeles:
Enter your combined dimensions (existing + proposed) in the form above. We'll check the total project against Los Angeles's current codes so you know where you stand before hiring an architect.
Fill in the form above with your lot size, setbacks, building height, and other dimensions — the same numbers on your architectural plans.
Your project is compared against Los Angeles's specific zoning requirements — setbacks, height limits, lot coverage, parking ratios, and FAR limits for your zone.
Critical violations, warnings, and advisory items — ranked by what a Los Angeles plan checker will flag first. Fix issues before you submit and save weeks of correction cycles.
| Zone | Front | Side | Rear | Height | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R1 — One-Family Zone | 15' | 5' | 15' | 33' | 45% |
| R2 — Two-Family Zone | 15' | 5' | 15' | 33' | 50% |
| R3 — Multiple Dwelling Zone | 15' | 5' | 15' | 45' | 50% |
| RD1.5 — Restricted Density | 15' | 5' | 15' | 33' | 50% |
Los Angeles requires a 15' front setback, 5' side setback, and 15' rear setback in the most common residential zone. Specific requirements vary by zone — enter your zone code above for exact numbers.
Initial plan review in Los Angeles typically takes 4-8 weeks. If corrections are required, each resubmission adds another 2-4 weeks. Running a pre-check before submitting can eliminate the most common correction items and save one or more review cycles.
The most common residential zone in Los Angeles allows a maximum height of 33 feet. Height measurement methods vary — some cities measure to the highest ridge, others to the midpoint of the roof. Check the specific zone requirements for your property.
Yes. Create a free account to run unlimited plan checks against Los Angeles's building codes. The tool checks setbacks, height limits, lot coverage, parking requirements, and flags common issues that Los Angeles plan reviewers look for.
The most frequently flagged items in Los Angeles include: Setback encroachments (eaves, steps, bay windows); Height measured incorrectly — must be from grade to highest ridge; Lot coverage calculation missing covered patios and accessory structures. Our tool checks for all of these automatically.