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- Final Ordinance No. 184,907 (May 12, 2017) Adopted May 10, 2017, Effective May 17, 2017
- Report from Housing Committee (May 10, 2017)
- Revised Draft Ordinance Corrections (April 18, 2017)
- City Planning Commission (March 4, 2016)
- City Planning Staff Report (February 25, 2016)
- Councilmember Felipe Fuentes (CF 14-1150) Motion (August 19, 2014)
- Application Form as of 01/14/2021
- PLANNING AND LAND USE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE REPORT relative to penalties imposed for unpermitted remodels, additions, and demolition of buildings and structures. (CF 17-0226-S1, 02/04/2021)
As of May 17, 2017, unpermitted units may be eligible to be legalized through the Unpermitted Dwelling Unit (UDU) Ordinance No. 184,907. The ordinance established a voluntary program that allows property owners to legalize qualifying unpermitted units, assuming all life-safety conditions are met. These existing units may legally join the housing market should the owner follow the stipulated process, including providing at least one low or moderate income affordable housing unit for each legalized unit.Once legalized, these units add much-needed affordable housing to the City of Los Angeles.
The purpose of this subdivision is to further health and safety standards in multifamily buildings and preserve and create affordable housing units by establishing procedures to legalize certain preexisting unpermitted dwelling units in conformance with the State Density Bonus provisions in California Government Code Section 65915. The grant of permitted status to pre-existing unpermitted units under this subdivision shall not be considered an increase in density or other change which requires any corresponding zone change, general plan amendment, specific plan exception or discretionary action.
For more information and to apply, please visit the Department of City Planning’s Development Services Center at 201 N. Figueroa, 4th Floor, or email dcpphp@lacity.org.
UDU LEGALIZATION PROCESS
Applicants who have been cited for an unpermitted unit as a result of a building inspection, or wish to legalize a previously-created unit, may be eligible to legalize units through a streamlined application process. To legalize qualifying unpermitted units, applicants must complete a six-step process with the Department of City Planning (DCP), the Department of Building and Safety (LADBS), and the Housing and Community Investment Department (HCIDLA).
Related Resources
- Housing Services at the Development Services Center (DSC)
- Development Services Case Management (DSCM)
- Land Use Services
- Affordable Housing Land Use Covenants
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Adopted Ordinance
- UDU Staff Report
- Los Angeles Zoning Code
- HCIDLA 2016 Income and Rent Limits – LU Schedule VIII (HCD Gross Rents)
Forms
- UDU Inter-Agency Referral Form (see LADBS Plan Check staff for form)
- Public Benefit Application Form (see DCP staff for form)
- LADBS Plan Check Submittal Requirements
- HCIDLA Land Use Covenant Application and Requirement Checklist
