Hillside Mansionization Ordinance

MEDIA ALERT: 18-Month Development Window for Hillside Mansionization Ends; "The Buck Stops Here," Says LaBonge

(Friday, November 9, 2012; Los Angeles) Developers who submitted plans for mega-mansions days prior to the implementation of the Baseline Hillside Ordinance (BHO) saw their 18-month development window end today, Friday, November 9, 2012. From now going forward, new single-family hillside developments will only be permitted if they comply with the BHO, also commonly referred to as the hillside mansionization ordinance. These developments must also comply with other strict hillside regulations.

A motion to create a hillside mansionization ordinance was introduced by Councilmember Tom LaBonge of the Fourth District in June 2006. It was signed by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa in April 2011 and officially went into effect May 9, 2011. The Vested Development Plan provision of the Los Angeles municipal code stipulates that developers have 18 months to permit their projects before their rights expire once an application is submitted.

"We put this ordinance in place to protect our fragile hillsides," Councilmember Tom LaBonge said. "And today we can finally shut the door. The buck stops here."

There are no provisions to extend the rights of developers once the 18-month period has completed. As of today, developers need to be out of Plan Check with issued permits should they wish to avoid complying with the BHO. All permitted developments, however, may still be constructed.

When enacted, the Baseline Hillside Ordinance was a sweeping measure designed to protect neighborhoods from big box constructions that were too large for the lots on which they were situated. The ordinance brought a sense of scale back to historic hillside neighborhoods.

--
Scott Levin-Gesundheit
Communications Deputy
Office of Councilmember Tom LaBonge, City of Los Angeles
213.473.2344 (o)
323.706.2396 (m)
scott.levin@lacity.org