What is the LA City Planning Commission? And What Do They Do?
- Odysseas Lamprianidis
- Aug 7
- 3 min read
Have you’ve ever found yourself 2 hours into researching building permits in Los Angeles, and you're more confused now than when you started?
Or maybe you've tangled in CEQA, or trying to decipher the Los Angeles Zoning Code like it’s ancient Greek...
There’s one name you need to get familiar with: the Los Angeles City Planning Commission (CPC).
Whether you're a developer trying to qualify for a Density Bonus, a housing advocate fighting for more affordable housing, or a regular Angeleno wondering who’s making decisions that shape the city—you’ll want to read this.
(it may be helpful to review the Full Breakdown of Authorities in the LA Zoning Code before diving into just what the CPC is responsible for)
Explained in 30 Seconds:
The City Planning Commission is the 7-member board responsible for reviewing and making recommendations or final decisions on some of the most significant land use policies and projects in Los Angeles.
Their decisions influence zoning, land use, affordable housing policy, and even what YOUR neighborhood can look like five years from now.
They’re kind of a big deal—and they meet every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month (just FYI).
Who Are They and Why Should I Care?
The CPC is appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council. These are not your run-of-the-mill bureaucrats.
They are architects, planners, developers, environmental experts, and even a few policy nerds. Together, they:
Recommend adoption or amendment of the General Plan
Review and approve or deny certain classes of Conditional Use Permits (CUPs)
Approve or deny large Density Bonus housing projects
Act as final authority on cases that span multiple Area Planning Commissions (APCs)
Their decisions shape how much you can build, how tall it can be, whether affordable housing gets streamlined approval, and how the Los Angeles Zoning Code is interpreted.
The CPC and Affordable Housing
Affordable housing is a political lightning rod—and the CPC is often in the middle of it.
Developers who want to build affordable units under TOC or Density Bonus programs (i.e. AB 1763 or SB 1818) will often see their cases go before the CPC.
They review whether:
The project complies with all state and local affordability mandates.
The height and FAR (floor area ratio) incentives are appropriate.
The community benefits offset any potential negative impacts.
If you’re building a 100% affordable project near a transit stop and want to stack your Density Bonus incentives to the ceiling—CPC is where that plan could get the green light.
Their Role in the Permit Process
You might be asking: But do they actually issue permits?
Nope—but they have everything to do with whether your project gets entitled in the first place.
Without a Planning Commission recommendation, many General Plan Amendments, Zone Changes, and Specific Plan adoptions would never make it to City Council for final approval.
Here’s how they fit into the entitlement puzzle:
Developer files application for a land use entitlement
Planning staff reviews and creates a staff report
CPC holds a public hearing
CPC issues a decision or recommendation
If necessary, the item is forwarded to City Council
Without their nod of approval, your dream project might stay a dream.
When Do They Have the Final Say?
The City Planning Commission holds final decision-making authority when:
A case spans across multiple APCs
The entitlement is delegated specifically to CPC via ordinance or the Zoning Code
It’s a Class 3 CUP that doesn’t get appealed to Council
They also hear appeals of interpretations from the Zoning Administrator when no site-specific issue is involved.
Real-World Example:
A developer proposes a mixed-use Density Bonus project on a site that borders two Community Plan areas and requests:
A 70% increase in FAR
Reduced parking
Additional height beyond base zoning
Because of its scope and overlapping jurisdictions, the project bypasses local APCs and lands on the CPC agenda.
After a public hearing and (sometimes) heated debate, CPC approves the project—but adds conditions such as requiring enhanced design features or increased affordability set-asides.
Result: Project approved. Neighborhood freaks out. Twitter explodes. Classic LA.
Final Word
If you’re serious about building, investing, or even just understanding how zoning and land use decisions are made in LA, don’t sleep on the CPC.
Their power lies not in red tape, but in shaping the city’s physical and political future.
Big Takeaways:
CPC reviews major land use and zoning changes—including Density Bonus and affordable housing projects.
Their decisions often set the stage for building permits in Los Angeles.
They’re a crucial part of how the Los Angeles Zoning Code is interpreted and applied.
And yes, they’re probably the ones who made that high-rise next to your bungalow legal.
– Odysseas Lamprianidis
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