The following is a summary of Planning permits and applications listed in the City of Inglewood’s Zoning Code (Chapter 12). 

Special Use Permit
Special uses are those uses of property which may be allowed only if specifically authorized by approval pursuant to the Special Use Permit (SUP) provisions.   Special uses are deemed to be those uses that possess unique or special characteristics or needs and that may adversely affect the occupants of the subject property or of neighboring properties or the general public unless restrictions, site improvements and/or other conditions are imposed upon the subject property or use so as to satisfactorily mitigate, eliminate or prevent their potential adverse effects.

In processing an SUP application, the staff prepares an objective report to the Planning Commission  identifying and evaluating such variables as building orientation and size, traffic generation, noise, hours of operation, parking considerations, environmental assessments, aesthetics, landscaping, and overall compatibility of the proposed use with the neighboring  properties.

The typical processing time for an SUP application will sometimes vary depending upon the complexity and magnitude of the proposal.  However, it takes approximately four-to-six weeks to process an SUP request from the date of submittal of a completed application to the Planning Commission public hearing.    The Planning Commission’s determination is final unless appealed to the City Council.  If an SUP determination is appealed, the City Council’s determination is final.  New condominiums and condominium conversions are the typical residential uses processed under the SUP procedure.  Group homes, convalescent facilities and similar congregate care facilities  (exceeding six residents) are also processed under the SUP provisions.  There, are many commercial uses that require Special Use Permits approved including alcohol sales, auto repair facilities, arcades, live entertainment, trade schools, and specialty merchandise marts.

Planned Assembly Development
The Planned Assembly Development (PAD) procedure encourages more creative approaches to the development of land than would be possible through the strict application of standard zoning regulations.  The Planned Assembly Development procedure is to be applied to sites of significant size where the opportunity exists to provide pre-planned and coordinated phases of development that will be mutually complementary when assembled together.  A PAD must be developed on property with a minimum area of one acre.  However, a PAD could be developed on a site with a minimum of 25,000 square-feet of lot area if the subject site is bounded on at least one side by a similar land use (i.e., residential, commercial or industrial) as the one proposed.    A PAD applicant may request a greater density for a planned residential development than the density permitted by the Inglewood General Plan if the proposed design will result in substantially more open space, recreation facilities and additional other residential amenities than the minimum otherwise required for comparable residential projects developed per the zoning standards or provide affordable housing where not less than 30 percent of the additional units exceeding the General Plan density shall be affordable housing units and made affordable for at least 30 years.  The PAD provides for a maximum density increase of 50 percent.  For commercial projects, a PAD can be used to foster quality developments with flexible and creative approaches for signage, parking, building orientation, etc.  The Hollywood Park Market Place at 3311-3565 West Century Boulevard is a recent example of a PAD project.  A PAD project is processed under the Special Use Permit procedure.

Site Plan Review
The purpose of Site Plan Review (SPR) is to assure that future development in the City of Inglewood will make a positive physical contribution to the community by enhancing or upgrading the built-environment of the City.  While the provisions of the Zoning Code establishes certain minimum design standards, the exclusive application of only minimum standards may cumulatively result in development projects that fail to provide such enhancement or upgrading.

Therefore, the Site Plan Review procedure has been established to permit the additional consideration and application of optimum rather than minimum design standards, based on the individual needs and circumstances of each proposed development project, in addition to satisfying the intent and policies of each project site’s respective zone.  Site Plan Review considers on-site and off-site vehicular and pedestrian circulation, emergency accessibility, site layout and building orientation, architectural design and neighborhood compatibility, landscaping and related site improvements, parking accommodations, signs and other applicable design considerations.

A Site Plan Review is required for any new structure that:

(1)    Has a structural value that exceeds $20,000.00; or

(2)  The value of any proposed enlargement, remodeling or alteration of any existing structure, or complex of structures, in any zone except R-1, R-1/2, R-2 or R-2A exceeds $20,000.

 The exceptions for enlargements, remodeling or alterations in the aforementioned zones serve as a housing-friendly mechanism to allow and encourage additional living area for existing residential uses.  Additional living area fosters maintenance, rehabilitation and modernization of the existing housing stock in the City.  Also, it helps address overcrowding considerations.  Following submittal of a Site Plan Review application, the Planning Division routes a set of plans to the Los Angeles County Fire Department and the City of Inglewood Public Works Department for review and comment.  The comments from both departments are incorporated along with the Planning Division comments to ensure that the applicant is apprised early in the process of all applicable requirements.  Upon resubmittal of corrected plans, the Planning Division will approve the plans.

The fee for Site Plan Review is $100.00 plus one-tenth of one percent (.001) of the construction valuation of the proposed project. The approximate time for processing a Site Plan Review application will vary depending upon the complexity and magnitude of the proposal, however, it is generally estimated to require approximately six-to-eight weeks, inclusive of the initial review and the review of the resubmitted corrected plans.

Zone Changes/General Plan Amendments/Zoning Code Text Changes
Amendments to any provision of the Zoning Code, including but not limited to the zoning or rezoning of any property, or to the permitted uses or densities of any property, or to the regulation of properties generally, shall be enacted in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Zoning Code whenever the public necessity, convenience and general welfare requires such.

A zone change, general plan amendment or a text change to the Code can be initiated by an applicant, by motion of the Planning Commission or City council, or by the Community Development Director.  The fee for applicant-initiated zone changes and general plan amendments is $600.  There is no fee for an applicant-initiated text change, however, the Director of Community Development is authorized by the Inglewood Municipal Code to determine if a text change should be processed for consideration by the Planning Commission and City Council.

The time period for processing a zone change, general plan amendment, or a text change will vary depending upon the complexity and magnitude of the proposal.  However, it is generally estimated to take four-to-six months to process such requests from beginning to final City Council action.

Subdivisions
Subdivisions in the City of Inglewood are handled in accordance with the Subdivision Map Act of the State of California.  Per the City’s subdivision regulations, a Subdivision Committee reviews parcel maps (four or fewer lots) and tract maps (five or more lots).  The Committee, comprised of Planning, Building and Safety, Public Works, and the Los Angeles County Fire Department, determines if the proposed subdivision meets all applicable provisions of the law.  Once the map complies with applicable laws, the committee issues a Notice of Map Approval for the tentative map.  Subsequently, upon completion of the review of the final map, a Notice of Map Approval is issued for the final map.   The typical review period for the maps is approximately six-eight weeks (total) for the tentative and final parcel map, as well as for the tentative and final tract map.  However, tract maps are required to receive Planning Commission and City Council approval before final City approval is granted and before the map is submitted to the applicant for recordation with the Los Angeles County Recorder.  The average timeline for tract maps is approximately three-to-four months.

Zone Adjustments
Whenever a strict interpretation of certain provisions specified in the Zoning Code would result in practical difficulties in the permitted use of property, the Community Development Director (or Planning Commission on appeal) may grant an adjustment to permit a minor modification for the following: 

(1)               Reduction of residential side or rear yard setbacks so long as no side yard is reduced to less than three feet or rear yard is reduced to less than five feet.

(2)               Reduction in the distance between buildings on the same lot.

(3)               Increase in the height of walls or fences, excluding any wall or fence within a residential front setback, and so long as any wall or fence within such setback is not increased by more than one-foot above the maximum height otherwise permitted.

(4)               Modification of required fence materials or design (excluding the use of barbed wire or razor wire).

(5)               Use of barbed wire in a nonresidential zone.

(6)               Reduction in the number of on-site parking spaces required for nonresidential uses so long as such reduction does not constitute more than ten percent of the required number of parking spaces, or a maximum of five spaces, whichever is less.

(7)               Modification of restrictions on the location of transformers and utility meters.

 

The typical zone adjustment request involves a setback reduction for a side or rear yard, in accordance with an addition or new residential units.  When the appropriate findings can be made, adjustments are granted and serve as a mechanism to foster additional living area for existing homes and for new residential units.  The typical zone adjustment for commercial use involes a minor parking reduction of 10% or less.

The fees for processing an adjustment is $480, including the environmental assessment fee.  Adjustments are processed within 20 days, followed by a 10-working day appeal period.  The determination can be appealed to the Planning Commission whose decision then becomes final.

Sign Adjustments
An adjustment may also be granted to modify the sign regulations if such regulations would result in practical difficulties in the use of the property. The Community Development Director may grant an adjustment to the sign regulations to permit the modification of area, height, number, location (other than roof signs), lighting, motion, and other limitations on signs or conditions under which signs are permitted.  An adjustment shall not be granted to modify any billboard standard or requirement.

The fees for processing an adjustment is $480, including the environmental assessment fee.  Adjustments are processed within 20 days, followed by a 10-working day appeal period.  The determination can be appealed to the Planning Commission whose decision then becomes final. 

Variances
A variance to modify one or more zoning provisions of the Zoning code may be granted where it is alleged that practical difficulties, unnecessary hardships and consequences inconsistent with the purpose of the Code would result from  the strict and literal interpretation and enforcement of certain zoning provisions.  However, a variance cannot include an increase in the number of allowable residential units,

the development of a non-permitted use, a waiver or reduction of any required fee, or a waiver or alteration of any zoning procedure for applications, hearings and the like.  Furthermore, any variance that is granted is subject to such conditions as will assure that the modification thereby authorized shall not constitute a grant of special privileges inconsistent with the limitations upon other properties in the vicinity and zone in which the subject property is situated.

The fee for a variance is $1,180 including public notification and environmental assessment.  Variances are processed within 30-60 days, followed by a 10-day appeal period.  Like the adjustment, the Community Development Director makes the determination on a variance request which can be appealed to the Planning Commission whose decision then becomes final.

Design Review
Design Review is intended to ensure the maintenance of high design standards in the vicinity of certain public buildings and grounds, certain thoroughfares of city-wide importance, and in other areas of unusual civic significance where design review is required to achieve the objectives of the Zoning Code.

The Planning Commission shall conduct the review of design plans and approve, conditionally approve or disapprove them.  Design Reviews can be appealed to the City Council.  The City Council’s determination is final. 

The fee for Design Review is $250.00 plus 0.1% of a proposed project’s construction valuation. The approximate time for processing a Design Review application is 30-45 days.

Reasonable Accommodation
In order to make specific housing available to an individual with a disability, a disabled person or representative may request reasonable rules, policies, practices and/or procedures of the City of Inglewood to ensure that a disabled person has an equal opportunity to use and enjoy their dwelling unit. 

A request for reasonable accommodation in laws, rules, policies, practices and/or procedures may be filed on an application form provided by the Community Development Department at any time that the accommodation may be necessary to ensure equal access to housing.  When a request for reasonable accommodation is filed with the Department, it will be referred to the Planning Division and/or the Building and Safety Division as appropriate for their review and consideration. The Planning Division and/or the Building and Safety Division shall issue written findings to the Community Development Director. The Director shall then issue a written determination within thirty days of the date of receipt of a completed application and may (1) grant the reasonable accommodation request, (2) grant the reasonable accommodation request subject to specified non-discriminatory conditions, or (3) deny the request.

The Community Development Director must consider, analyze and adopt the following findings prior to taking any action to approve or deny a request for reasonable accommodation and the findings must be incorporated into the record of the proceeding relating to such approval or denial:

A. The housing, which is the subject of the request for reasonable accommodation, will be used by a disabled person protected under the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988.

B. The request for a reasonable accommodation is necessary to make specific housing available to the disabled person protected under the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988.

C. The requested reasonable accommodation will not impose an undue financial or administrative burden on the City.

D. The requested accommodation will not require a fundamental alteration of the zoning or building laws, policies and/or procedures of the City.

All written determinations shall give notice to the applicant of the right to appeal and the right to request reasonable accommodation on the appeals process, if necessary.

The following table summarizes the City’s Planning/Zoning application fees and timelines for various types of cases.
 

Note: There are typically appeal procedures and fees for most of the applications in the table.  The appeal fees and appeal timelines are not included.

Source:  Inglewood Planning Division 

Even minor requests such as room additions, interior improvements, and minor alterations are reviewed by the Planning Division prior to the Building Division issuing permits.  Many minor permit request can be approved "over the counter" while you wait. Listed below are some typical minor permit request:

• Fence Permit 
• Sign permit 
• Room Additions 
• Tenant Improvements 

For information regarding the processing of the items listed above, please contact the Planning Division at (310) 412-5230. For information regarding building permit fees or building plan check review, please contact the Building and Safety Division at (310) 412-5294.