Experience building Apartment complex in LA?

Question

Dear all,

I would like to know whether anybody have any experience in building an apartment complex in Los Angeles area? I'm looking at a few pieces of lands around south LA that seems promising.

I've been looking for resources from the LADBS website, but it is very hard to navigate, such as finding what kind of reports and inspections are needed.  Especially for residential building with 6+ units.

I would greatly appreciate if anyone can give some idea on the steps required to make a building.

George Fitz · Answer

Best thing to do is to go down to LADBS on Figueroa with a list of questions. You may be there for a while, but they should be able to answer most of what you want to know. I remodeled and added some square footage to a triplex in Venice (City of LA). The remodel was in plan check for about a year. So be prepared for that. But that was longer than normal because it was an older property (1923) and so the setbacks were not up to code, nor was parking and there were a few other issues. I spent a lot of time getting signatures from neighbors and researching the building code so that I could argue proficiently. Also, I received different answers every time I went to LADBS. And you'll get different answers at different offices. Once plans got approved, the remodel went smoothly, but I had the same inspector for the whole job and he was pretty easy going. That's not always the case as I understand. If you decide to do it, hire a good architect who knows multi-family in LA. Otherwise, the whole process will take years off your life.

I also put up two units behind my house in Santa Monica. For that one I knew to get a good architect. Even though Santa Monica is known to be a pain in the butt, it actually went smoother...I think because it was a new building, the architect and because it's a smaller building department. And because I expected the worse.

Min K. · Answer

@Udayabagya Halim  You noted a land for a development, which is a lot more extensive than rehabbing a property as George did.  If you are trying to rehab your chicken and egg situation depends on what kind of sale the property is.  To answer your chick/egg question, you would talk to an architect (or contractor that has an in-house architect) first to do a survey of what needs to be fixed, upgraded and modified to code.  As George said, having an experienced architect will save you a lot of time and money.  Experienced architect could also give you a design that is most cost effective.

@George Fitz Very nice of you to share your experience.  Hopefully, your renovation turned out to be a success.  Also, the timing would have been an important factor if it took half a year for plan check.

Min K. · Answer

@Udayabagya Halim Know what you're going to the city first.  What are you planning to build? What is the lot zoned for? What's the FAR? How high can your building go?  EIR required? Unless you have an architectural background, you'll need these planned out to even get started.  Also these questions will tell you if your development makes sense or not by doing a comp study.  If you're rehabbing a small residential, it's one story, but developing a land (not sure what size you are looking at) for an apartment complex requires a lot more than walking up to a city planner.

Matt R. · Answer

Yes, dealing with any LA/SM government agency is a learning experience. These are huge entities. They really want to help but the bureaucracy maze is trying. You can get different info with each contact.

Thanks,

Matt

George Fitz · Answer

One other thing I should mention: whenever you go to LADBS, always make detailed notes of your conversations and write down the names and titles of the people you are speaking with. It has been my experience that they contradict each other sometimes, especially in more complicated situations.

George Fitz · Answer

@Udayabagya Halim I'd go to the city first and just talk to a planner about what you're thinking and they should be able to let you know if you are on the right track and make you aware of any major issues with your ideas. It won't cost you anything except for your time and is a good first step.

Udayabagya Halim · Answer

To George:

Did you start the process with the Santa Monica property directly with an architect? Or did you already know general ideas for the permitting requirements.

I feel like I am in a chicken and egg situation: Should I talk to an architect/contractor first or should I go to the city.

Experience building Apartment complex in LA?

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