Specialist · Granada Hills, CA · Member since 2013 · 73 posts · 21 votes
Hello BP community,
I'm thinking of doing a lot split with a SFR that has an accessory dwelling in the SFV in Los Angeles. Does anyone have any referrals for a person or a company that has experience working with the City of LA? Any idea on costs for a job like this? Thanks!
@Jay Dimacali first questions is what is the zoning and size of the lot. Here is a chart of the zones with a column of Min. Lot Area requirement for the subdivision:
For higher density lots (RD or R3+), you could do what is called a Small Lot Subdivision (SLS), which only requires the min. Dwelling Unit Area to determine the size of lot, not the min. Lot Area. For example if you have 5000 sf zoned RD1.5 lot, you could subdivided this into 3 lots under SLS (5000 Lot Area / 1500 Min. Dwelling Unit Area); however you would not be able to subdivide a 5000 sf lot zoned R1.
You will need a civil engineer to prepare a subdivision/tract map to file with city.
@Jay Dimacali first questions is what is the zoning and size of the lot. Here is a chart of the zones with a column of Min. Lot Area requirement for the subdivision:
For higher density lots (RD or R3+), you could do what is called a Small Lot Subdivision (SLS), which only requires the min. Dwelling Unit Area to determine the size of lot, not the min. Lot Area. For example if you have 5000 sf zoned RD1.5 lot, you could subdivided this into 3 lots under SLS (5000 Lot Area / 1500 Min. Dwelling Unit Area); however you would not be able to subdivide a 5000 sf lot zoned R1.
You will need a civil engineer to prepare a subdivision/tract map to file with city.
@Will Barnard Hi Will. Is the lot split process something I can do or do I need a specialist to do it? And what's a ballpark cost to do a split?
You would need to hire this out as it is not a simple process and it takes a good amount of time to complete. No way to give a ballpark cost or timeline as each property will be different and depending on how it is zoned will factor in too. You should expect a good year for a lot split. Check the answer above by Xander, it is a good one.
I have a lot split in process for a smaller city in NC. My surveyor did the field work and submitted the application. The convoluted process reflects local government at its worst. My guess is that it will take 6 months start to finish. Surveyor's charge is $1,000.
@Terrell Garren, that sounds more familiar, but I'm working rural Northwoods, not the SFV. I'm doing 1-5 split right now where the county fee is $1260 plus the cost of a survey. I'm expecting about four months once the application is submitted.
@Jay Dimacali Hi Jay, do you have any update of the lot subdivision? I have a lot in SFV just over 10,000 sq ft. I am thinking about subdividing it or upzoning it. I am just wondering how your experience has been in dealing with civil engineer/ consultant and city planning commission.
Just echoing what others have said, if the zoning allows it, it will be much easier. One of my developer clients tried splitting a lot in the Hollywood Hills and the neighbors stopped it before it could happen. They don't want more density in their neighborhoods. That same developer bought a R 1.5 zoned lot and building 5 single family homes (almost complete). It is quite a process to do it.