Developer Services

The Los Angeles Department of Transportation recognizes land use and transportation planning are inseparable. New developments impact transportation routes in the surrounding area. LADOT plays a key role in reviewing land development proposals. The Department evaluates the proposals’ transportation-related impacts.

		LADOT considers the project in terms of:
		Inputs on traffic infrastructure and services Balanced growth Preservation of neighborhood livability Economic development

		Several other factors are reviewed to gauge the extent of the project’s impact on a transportation network:
		Project size Current and future levels of traffic congestion Location and safety of proposed vehicle entry and exit points Internal parking layout and circulation.

If the proposed project is large, the developer is required to submit a traffic impact study that is used to estimate how much traffic growth will be generated from the new project. Some traffic volume data can be obtained through the Department of Transportation.

If the Department identifies significant transportation impacts in its review of the proposal, it recommends multi-modal transportation mitigation solutions. LADOT will ask the Department of City Planning to impose these recommendations as conditions of approval for the project. Conditions of approval requirements necessitate developers to install off-site transportation improvements as part of the overall project.

The City cannot legally require developers to mitigate pre-existing traffic conditions. LADOT’s traffic improvement recommendations are meant to address any new transportation impacts associated with the proposed project.

		LADOT traffic mitigation recommendations may include:
		Trip Reduction measures Transit, Bicycle and pedestrian movements Roadway widening Funding for advanced traffic signal systems Installation of new traffic signals Neighborhood traffic management projects Project reduction solutions

		Help for the Traffic Engineer:
		LADOT has a number of aids to help the Traffic Engineer and Civil Engineer complete the design of traffic signal and striping plans. Signal design and geometric design standards are available to assist consultants with their design. Assistance in the design of traffic improvements is coordinated through the Department's B-permit section that can be reached at (213) 928-9663. In addition, the Special Provisions and Standard Drawings for the Installation and Modification of Traffic Signals ("Red Book") -Updated December 2011 is available as an aid for construction activities related to traffic signals. In some cases, the “Red Book” refers to another “written specification” that has a seven digit number such as: “92-001-01”. These written material or purchase specifications are available at LADOT written Material or Purchase specifications.

		The Department of Transportation consults a variety of sources when it develops these traffic mitigation recommendations, including:
		LADOT Traffic Study policies and procedures METRO transportation plans California Transportation Department plans City's community plans Transportation specific plans

In some parts of the City, comprehensive traffic improvement plans have been adopted. In these areas, developers of new projects must pay a traffic impact fee. This fee contributes to a variety of transportation programs and projects that improve transportation routes and services in a wide area.

Please contact LADOT development review staff for additional information about the development review process:

Metro Development Review
100 S. Main Street, 9th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 972-8482 or (213) 972-8481
Fax (213) 972-8418
Coverage area includes all areas south of Mulholland Drive and east of Robertson Boulevard

West Los Angeles Development Review
7166 W. Manchester Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90045
(213) 485 - 1062
FAX (213) 485 - 1285
Coverage area includes San Pedro and all areas south of Mulholland Drive and west of Robertson Boulevard

Valley Development Review
6262 Van Nuys Boulevard, 3rd Floor
Van Nuys, CA 91401
(818) 374-4699
FAX (818) 374-4696
Coverage area includes the entire San Fernando Valley north of Mulholland Drive

LADOT City-wide One-Stop Counter
201 N. Figueroa Street, 4th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 482-7024