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About Regional Planning

DRP SealLos Angeles County covers 4,000 square miles, with a population of 9.5 million individuals, with an anticipated growth to 11.5 million by 2020. The unincorporated areas include more than 2,600 square miles and represent two-thirds of the County's land and one-tenth of its population unofficially grouped into 137 non-contiguous areas. Some of these unincorporated areas are as small as a few blocks of unincorporated land surrounded by cities. Others are urban centers with more than 150,000 residents. Yet others cover hundreds of square miles with sparse populations in the high desert. If a city, these unincorporated areas would be the third largest in the State, after Los Angeles and San Diego. They are diverse in terms of their socio-economic levels, encompassing some of the County's wealthiest neighborhoods as well as communities with concentrations of individuals and families requiring financial assistance.

Regional Planning Major Accomplishments 2006

Departmental Background

Regional Planning started in Los Angeles County in 1922 with the establishment of the Regional Planning Commission (RPC), a body that still exists and is responsible for advising the Board of Supervisors on all planning matters. It is the oldest planning body in the United States. The roots of the Department of Regional Planning (DRP) lay in providing staff advice and assistance to the Regional Planning Commission. It was made an independent Department in 1974 and continues to support the Commission and Board of Supervisors.

Front Counter Picture

To fulfill its responsibilities, the RPC formulates policies and conducts regular public hearings weekly. Tentative subdivision tracts, zoning changes, variances and permits, Countywide and Community plan polices are presented to and acted upon by the Commission. DRP designs long range plans and prepares ordinances for approval by the RPC on subjects such as ecological areas, senior citizen housing, parking, etc. In addition, the department prepares and develops amendments to the County of Los Angeles General Plan, a two part document that covers 1) countywide chapters on elements such as land use, circulation, conservation and open space, housing, safety, and noise and CSD’s, and 2) community specific plans for unincorporated areas.

DRP also provides Hearing Officers to review cases of limited complexity, allowing the RPC to devote more of its time to the consideration of more far-reaching policy issues. The hearing officers are appointed by the Director of Planning from experienced staff members, and are subject to approval by the Board of Supervisors. The Hearing Officers hold regular hearings on discretionary, non-legislative development cases. Their decisions are subject to appeal to the RPC. In addition to these functions, DRP handles inspection, and code enforcement.

DRP is responsible for both providing immediate responses to enforcement and permitting requests, and considering long-range development issues. Therefore, DRP must consider a broad range of constituents, from individual homeowners, to large land owners, to community groups, to future generations of Los Angeles County residents. DRP outreach efforts to all affected groups have been a hallmark of its operations since its establishment.

Regional Planning Commission

RPC SealThe Regional Planning Commission consists for five Commissioners. They are appointed to four-year terms by the Board of Supervisors. In addition, there are four advisory, non-voting, members who are; the Forester and Fire Warden, Director of Public Works, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation, and Agricultural Commissioner.

The Planning Commission acts as an advisory body to the Board of Supervisors on all planning matters, and administers the provisions of the State Planning Law (Title 7, Division I, of the Government Code), the State Subdivision Map Act, CEQA, and the Los Angeles County Ordinances affecting planning such as the County Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance. It formulates planning policies and conducts regular Public Hearings each Wednesday.

Regional Planning Commissioners

Commission members may be reached by calling:  Rosie Ruiz, Commission Secretary 974-6409, Room 1350