The consideration of a development proposal may often require that a public hearing be held prior to a formal decision being issued. Los Angeles City Planning holds regular public hearings to consider a variety of proposals that require city approval. These hearings offer an opportunity for the public to become engaged in the review process and offer feedback for decision makers to consider.
Public hearings are scheduled on a regular basis, depending on the type of application and the location where the project is being proposed. In person public hearings are conducted downtown in City Hall, in Van Nuys at the Marvin Braude Constituent Services Center, and in West Los Angeles at the West Los Angeles Municipal Building.
COVID-19 Update:
In keeping with Mayor Eric Garcetti’s Safer At Home order to slow the spread of COVID-19, City Planning has implemented new procedures for public hearings and outreach meetings in order to practice proper physical distancing protocols. City Planning commission meetings will now be held telephonically in order to provide continued service to communities and businesses across Los Angeles, allowing for the review of housing applications and other policies that facilitate the City’s short- and long-term economic growth, which will result in the development of new housing units. For more information, click here.
File Review - Project files may be made available for public review by appointment only. Please email the staff identified on the hearing notice, at least three (3) days in advance, to arrange for an appointment. Files are not available for review the day of or day before the hearing. In light of COVID-19, please contact staff to receive copies of electronic application materials. These documents may also be available on CIty Planning’s “Planning Document Information System” or PDIS.
Testimony and Public Correspondence - In person or virtual attendance to a public hearing is optional and not a requirement for individuals who would like to provide written public comments or ask questions about a project or proposed policy. Oral testimony can only be given at the public hearing and may be limited due to time constraints, however.
Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies and Judicial Review - If you challenge an application or item included on a public hearing agenda in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing or in written correspondence on these matters delivered to this agency at or prior to the public hearing. If you seek judicial review of any decision of the City pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure Section 1094.5, the petition for writ of mandate pursuant to that section must be filed no later than the 90th day following the date on which the City's decision became final pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure Section 1094.6. There may be other time limits which also affect your ability to seek judicial review.