You can verify whether a property is or is not designated a building site by accessing City Maps (GIS). After you locate the property in GIS, go through the property's data pop-ups to search for, "building site designation." Immediately below, it will show, "yes" or "no."

• If it says, "yes," then the property has the potential for being developed.
• If it says, "no," then the property may not be developed.

Minor projects that do not require design review or other discretionary approvals may be eligible for over-the-counter planning review without an appointment. This class of development may include re-roofs, fences, air conditioning units, and window replacements (no new or expanded window openings without neighbor consent). Business license applications and commercial signs with letter heights not exceeding eight inches are also usually reviewed over-the-counter. Interior remodels with no exterior changes generally do not require planning approval and may proceed directly with a building permit application submittal. Refer to the FAQ above if a planning application submittal is required.

Minor projects eligible for over-the-counter review should generally provide two hard copies of the following information:

• Window replacements: provide floor plans identifying which windows are proposed to be replaced. Label the use of all rooms and provide a window schedule identifying the type and size of each window. Windows and glass doors within new or expanded openings and with adjacent neighbor consent may also be processed over-the-counter. For new or expanded openings, provide an elevation view showing both the existing and proposed door or window opening.
• New fencing and free-standing walls: provide a site plan identifying property lines and setbacks and the footprint, length, height, materials, and an elevation detail/drawing of the proposed wall or fence. Refer to Laguna Beach Municipal Code Section 25.50.012 for height restrictions (generally between 3 and 6 feet).Chain link fences and other similar metal fences in residential areas are subject to design review, not eligible for over-the-counter review.
• Re-roof: provide a printed color and material board identifying the manufacturer name and color and a photo of the product. Note that the City generally does not allow white, light tan, or light grey colors, or highly reflective roof finishes. The planner may request a material sample to make a final determination.
• Air-conditioning: complete and submit the air conditioning unit application packet.

A business may not be established without first having received a business license from the City. Planning staff will assist you at the Community Development Department front counter to determine if the location you are considering for your business is zoned for that particular use. A planner will also advise you of any approvals that are required prior to starting your business (for example, a Conditional Use Permit), or if any zoning deficiencies must be addressed, such as parking requirements.

Business licenses can be applied for at the cashier desk at City Hall or online here.

For information on starting a business in Laguna Beach, please click here.

Site improvements and development subject to design review is described in Section 25.05.040 of the Laguna Beach Municipal Code. Please refer to the link below for a comprehensive list of improvements and developments subject to design review approval. Note that the design review requirements may vary based on a property’s prior entitlement history. Certain classes of minor development may be eligible for a streamlined review process through Administrative Design Review; all other design review projects are subject to either Design Review Board or Planning Commission approval.

• Development subject to design review
• Common projects that are generally exempt from design review

Planning applications are generally initiated with a Zoning Plan Check submittal. Applications are reviewed in the order that they are received, with a 30-day application review turnaround time. Please contact your assigned planner if you have not received an update on your project status at the conclusion of the 30-day review period.

The planner will determine whether your application is either incomplete with corrections required, or complete. Complete applications may require entitlement review and approval at a noticed public hearing before construction plans can be submitted for a building permit.

Checking the legally permitted size of a home requires review of all building records on file. Building permits or plans will note the existing or proposed square footage of the home. If the records show a smaller home than what exists on the property, then the difference in size is considered unpermitted and will need to be legalized or removed in coordination with the City. 

Click the "Property Information" tab at the bottom of the menu located to the left of the screen to view City files.

Construction plans are part of the public record and may only be inspected or reviewed at the Community Development public counter due to copyright protection laws. Digital copies are available to view during normal business hours at the Community Development public counter.

To obtain a copy of the approved construction plans on a property,  you must submit a completed Plan Duplication Request Form and Duplication Request Affidavit. The City will request via certified letter, authorization from the current or original owner of the property, and all registered professionals associated with the plans. The parties have 30 days to respond to the City. When all authorizations are received, the City will provide the you with a flash drive containing the requested plans. The flash drive can be mailed or picked-up at the Community Development public counter. A $138 fee is assessed per plan set to process your plan duplication request. Before requesting a copy of construction plans, please contact City staff as plans are not available for all properties.

For basic zoning information, search for your property using the City’s mapping software. Once you have located your property, click on the parcel to reveal specific information including building site designation, special setback and height requirements, and environmental constraints, and to access the planning and building files. Click on “Layer” at the bottom of the screen and click “Zoning” to identify the zoning district for your property. Note that architectural and structural plans, if any such records exist at the City, may only be accessed at the City Hall Planning counter.

For records associated with City Council proceedings, click here. Find your meeting date and click on the document dropdown menu for more information. For City Council records prior to November of 2009, refer to the online records search.

In general, new planning applications are initiated by submitting for Zoning Plan Check. Projects that are limited to interior improvements may instead proceed directly with a building permit application submittal.

Planning applications are accepted by appointment only and will typically be reviewed within 30 days of submittal. Note that applications that are missing required information/items will not be accepted. Partially complete applications will not be accepted. Refer to the application appointment portal for more information, including links to the application forms and application submittal requirements. Note that the residential and commercial planning applications each contain unique application requirements. The City Council-adopted fee schedule is available for review here.

Once your application is deemed complete, the assigned planner will prepare a draft staff report and resolution to thoroughly analyze the project and provide the decision-making authority with a sufficient analysis to reach a decision on your request. You will be contacted to fulfill any final scheduling requirements once the staff report and resolution have been approved by management staff.