Some projects such as new buildings, signs, wireless telecom towers, sensitive uses (like bars or clubs), or projects located in Planned Development Areas must go through a review process to receive a planning "entitlement" or planning permit before receiving a permit to build or operate. Planning entitlements are not building permits, but they are often required before a project is eligible for building permits. These types of approvals are discretionary actions.

Examples of planning entitlements include: Conditional Use Permit (CUP), Administrative Use Permit (AUP), Site Plan Review (SPR), Local Coastal Development Permit (LCDP), Sign Program, SPR for Wireless Telecom, etc. These projects may also need additional forms. To understand which forms and permits you need for your project, chat with a planner by contacting the Planning & Zoning hotline at 562.570.6194. You can learn more about the planning review process on our Entitlement Process Page.

• Planning Permit Application
• Planning Fee Schedule

Supplemental Applications

• Housing Supplemental Application
• No Net Loss & Household Income Certification
• SB330 Pre-Application
• Use Permit Supplemental Application
• Wireless Telecommunications Permit Application Supplement
• Zoning Adjustment Form

Some projects, such as minor land or building expansions, those exempt from coastal permit requirements, or certain home businesses may only need review for compliance with code and standards. These types of approvals are ministerial actions.

• Administrative Land Use Review Application
•   Coastal Permit Categorical Exemption (CPCE) Application
•  Conditional Use Permit Exemption (CUPEx) for Alcohol Sales
•  Home Occupation Standard Rules Acceptance Form
•  Promotional Sign (Banner) Application

The state requires that cities review all projects for environmental impact under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Some projects (such as major developments or those with potential significant environmental impacts) may require environmental studies, while some projects (such as minor alterations to existing buildings or small infill projects) may qualify for a listed exemption. Staff will review and determine the appropriate level of environmental review.

• CEQA Notice of Exemption Form
•  CEQA Environmental Intake Form

The Cultural Heritage Commission (CHC) reviews all projects at Historic Landmarks sites and in Historic Districts. The CHC reviews all changes to a property's exterior. CHC also reviews interior changes at certain landmarks with designated interior features. You can read more about requirements on our Historic Preservation page.

• Exterior Painting COA Application
• Minor Alteration (Staff Review) COA Application
• Major Alteration (Cultural Heritage Commission Review) COA Application
• Landmark Nomination COA Application
•  Procedures for Landmark Nomination COA Application
• Re-roofing COA Application

These applications and filing requirements are for projects related to subdivisions (such as lot mergers, lot splits, condominium conversions, etc.). These processes shall be submitted along with a completed Planning Permit Application and CEQA Environmental Intake Form.

Subdivision Filing Requirements

• Certificate of Compliance
• Lot Line Adjustment Filing Requirements
• Lot Merger Filing Requirements
• Right of Way Vacation Application Checklist and Procedures
• Street Name Changes
• Tentative Map Filing Requirements
• Urban Lot Split Filfing Requirements

Condominium Conversions

• Condominium Conversion Application Checklist
  •  Filing requirements for conversion of a community apartment or stock cooperative project to condominiums (not for conversion of a rental building to condos).
• Condominium Conversion Exclusions
  •  Starting point for information and requirements on condo conversions.
• Condo Conversion – Tenant Notices
• Tenant Relocation Program Application
• Tenant Relocation Program Application (Spanish)

Any aggrieved person may appeal a decision that went through any of the following:

• Site Plan Review Committee
• Zoning Administrator
• Planning Commission
• Cultural Heritage Commission

Appeals must be filed within 10 days after the decision is made.

An "aggrieved person" is either someone who spoke or had a representative speak about their concerns during a meeting, or who informed Community Development staff of their concern in writing before the hearing.

• Appeal Application

These applications and checklists are for other processes and procedures within the Planning Bureau that do not fall within the categories above, such as fair housing reasonable accommodation and zoning confirmation letter requests.

• Fair Housing Reasonable Accommodation Request Form
• General Plan Conformance Application
• MWELO Landscape Standards Checklist – Performance
• MWELO Landscape Standards Checklist – Prescriptive
• Zoning Confirmation Letter Application