Let’s say you want to develop some land in Brentwood. You might want to tear down an old house on a nicely sized lot and build a new home in its place. If the lot is big enough, you might even want to build two.

Or you want to build condos or perhaps an apartment building. Or you would like to add a second level to an existing home. There are many factors that will determine what you can and cannot build on that property. The size of the lot and the zoning are two of the most important factors determining what you can and cannot build.

But how do you figure out what your options are? The answer: the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (DBS).

The DBS is a government office that many people will never visit. However if you are involved in real estate, it’s an office that can become your best friend.

The first step is to go to the main office located at 1828 Sawtelle Avenue, West Los Angeles (Between Santa Monica and Olympic). Go to the 2nd floor and take a number. They open at 7:30 am and the earlier you go the faster the service. All you do is simply bring the address of the property and the clerk will be able to give you a general idea of what you can and cannot build.

If you decide to move forward with the project, your architect will draw up plans and then submit them to the city for approval. The city will review the plans and require changes if necessary to meet the current building codes. The architect will make changes and re-submit. The process continues until the city approves the plans.

There is no cost to talk to the DBS and get information. It is a wonderful resource. And if you can’t make it to their office, the website is very powerful resource tool: http://www.ladbs.org.

Have you used their services before? Did they help you with your building project? Let me know about them in the comments below.