A decade of hands-on experience cutting through regulatory complexity — from Coastal Commission entitlements to Mulholland Scenic Parkway approvals. I get your project permitted.
Years Experience
Cities Served
Permit Focused
Over ten years in this industry, I've become experienced across many facets of the building process — and through that experience, I've come to realize that permitting is what I am the best at. Permitting is my entire practice. That singular focus means a deeper understanding of the systems, the people, and the strategies that get permits issued.
Based in Los Angeles County, I have developed an unmatched understanding of the regulatory landscape across dozens of jurisdictions — from the City of LA's labyrinthine planning apparatus to the most restrictive coastal overlay zones in the state.
My clients — architects, general contractors, developers, and property owners — come to me when they hit a wall. When the city pushes back on a submittal. When a project stalls in plan check. When nobody can figure out which agency has jurisdiction or what discretionary approvals are required. That's where I thrive. I work as an extension of your team, coordinating with plan reviewers, attending hearings, managing corrections, and navigating the entire entitlement and permitting process so you can focus on design and construction.
From initial feasibility through final sign-off, I manage the entire permitting lifecycle. Your project keeps moving — I handle the bureaucracy.
I submit your applications, track plan check progress, manage corrections with reviewers, and push your permits through to issuance. I know the process at every counter in LA County and beyond.
Before you invest in design, I verify what your site allows. Setbacks, FAR, height limits, overlay zones, specific plans — I map the full regulatory picture so there are no surprises at submittal.
Conditional Use Permits, variances, zone changes, Specific Plan exceptions, and site plan reviews. I prepare applications, coordinate with planning staff, and represent your project at public hearings.
I conduct in-depth research into building codes, fire codes, Title 24 requirements, accessibility mandates, and historic preservation constraints to identify issues before they become costly delays.
I attend pre-application meetings, design review boards, planning commissions, and public hearings on your behalf. I maintain relationships with staff at agencies across the region to keep your project moving.
I review correction letters, coordinate responses between your design team and plan reviewers, and keep the back-and-forth moving efficiently so your permits don't languish in the system.
I guide projects through California Coastal Commission and local coastal program requirements, including CEQA compliance, public access conditions, and visual resource protections.
Before you buy or commit to a site, I assess what can realistically be built — including entitlement risk, code limitations, and an honest timeline for permit issuance.
I work between your architect, engineer, contractor, and the building department to keep everyone aligned. When plan reviewers request changes, I ensure corrections are addressed and resubmitted fast.
California's most difficult permitting environments require someone who understands the specific rules, the key decision-makers, and the path to approval. These are my areas of deep expertise.
Coastal Development Permits are among the most demanding approvals in the state. I've navigated projects through both de novo hearings and appeals, managing public access dedications, scenic view corridors, ESHA setbacks, and Local Coastal Program consistency findings. Whether your project is in Malibu, Venice, the South Bay, or further up the coast, I know what the Commission expects.
The Mulholland Scenic Parkway Specific Plan adds layers of design review and ridgeline protection that catch many applicants off guard. I have extensive experience securing approvals within the Inner and Outer Corridor, addressing scenic viewshed protections, grading limitations, retaining wall restrictions, and the unique submittal requirements of the Mulholland Design Review Board.
LA's Hillside Construction Regulations and Baseline Mansionization Ordinances impose strict limits on grading, height, and massing. I help projects navigate slope band calculations, haul route approvals, geotechnical report requirements, and the unique challenges of building on steep or fire-prone terrain throughout the Santa Monica Mountains and Hollywood Hills.
Working within a Historic Preservation Overlay Zone requires navigating the HPOZ Board and Cultural Heritage Commission. I manage Certificate of Appropriateness and Certificate of Compatibility applications, coordinate with preservation consultants, and ensure design proposals satisfy the Secretary of the Interior's Standards while meeting your project goals.
The City of Los Angeles has one of the most complex planning and building frameworks in the country. From navigating the Zoning Code and the 35+ Specific Plans, to managing submittals through LADBS plan check and the Department of City Planning, I have deep institutional knowledge of how to move projects efficiently through the system.
Many projects trigger California Environmental Quality Act review — from categorical exemptions and Mitigated Negative Declarations to full EIR involvement. I identify early which CEQA pathway applies to your project, coordinate with environmental consultants, and manage agency comment periods to keep entitlement timelines on track.
A clear, communicative process from the first conversation to final permit in hand.
We discuss your project scope, site conditions, and goals. I identify the jurisdictions involved and outline the permitting path.
I conduct zoning analysis, code research, and agency outreach to develop a clear permitting strategy and realistic timeline.
I prepare and submit applications, manage plan check corrections with your design team, and attend hearings as needed.
I push your project through final approval, ensure all conditions are met, and deliver your permits so construction can begin.
While I serve all of California, these are the jurisdictions where I have the deepest relationships and most extensive track records.
I integrate seamlessly into your existing project team, filling the critical gap between design and approval.
You focus on design — I handle the city. I coordinate plan check corrections, attend pre-application meetings, and ensure your drawings meet submittal requirements before they ever reach a reviewer's desk.
Time is money on a job site. I keep your permits on track so your crews aren't waiting. From initial building permits to TCOs and finals, I manage the paperwork so you can manage construction.
Whether you're building a single-family spec home or a multi-unit development, I provide the upfront due diligence and entitlement strategy to reduce risk and accelerate your timeline to permit.
Over the years I've become experienced across the building industry, and I've realized that permitting is what I'm the best at. Permitting is my entire practice. That singular focus means a deeper understanding of the systems, the people, and the strategies that get permits issued.
Coastal overlays, hillside ordinances, HPOZ districts, Mulholland corridors — the projects others shy away from are the ones I specialize in. The harder the permitting challenge, the more value I deliver.
After a decade in the field, I have working relationships with plan reviewers, planning staff, and inspectors across LA County. These relationships translate into smoother submittals and fewer surprises.
You'll always know where your project stands. I provide regular status updates, flag potential issues early, and keep your entire team informed throughout the process.
Through years of experience in the building industry, I've honed my expertise to where I can deliver the most value — permitting. For architectural drawings, structural engineering, or construction documents, I work with a trusted network of licensed architects, structural engineers, civil engineers, and other design professionals throughout California. If your project needs drawings, I'm happy to connect you with the right people. This focus allows me to remain an objective advocate for your project at the plan check counter and in front of review boards.
Whether you're in the early planning stages or stuck in plan check, reach out and I'll get back to you promptly with an honest assessment of your permitting path.
nathan@lapermitting.comBased in Los Angeles County — Serving all of California