AIA|LA ADVOCACY REPORT
May 14, 2024

From the desk of Will Wright, Hon. AIA|LA
Director of Government & Public Affairs



 

ADVOCATING FOR STREAMLINED TENANT IMPROVEMENT PERMITS IN LOS ANGELES

The AIA Los Angeles Chapter is actively advocating for the establishment of a self-certification or self-permitting program for tenant improvement (TI) projects in the City of Los Angeles. This initiative aims to significantly reduce permit processing times, currently taking 12-24 months for office-to-office or retail-to-retail projects.

Our Progress:

  • We have met twice in 2024 with the office of Council President Paul Krekorian to discuss this option and have developed a draft motion for further review.
    • His office is asking for us to research what the pass/ failure rate is for self-certification programs in other jurisdictions.  In short, how effective and safe can we ensure this program will be?
  • We are seeking feedback from architects with experience in self-certification programs from other jurisdictions. Contact Will at Will@aialosangeles.org to share your insights.

Background and Inspiration:

  • In 2021, we requested the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) to explore a self-certification program. This resulted in the launch of the Fast Track Office Tenant Improvement Program in October 2021.
  • However, the current program has limitations: it only applies to Group B Occupancy projects that only need LADBS approval. Most TI projects in Los Angeles require clearances from multiple departments, creating delays even when approvals are not truly needed.

The Problem:

  • The complex regulatory environment in Los Angeles leads to unnecessary delays for TI projects.
  • Many other cities have successfully implemented self-certification programs, expediting permit processing times.

Call to Action:

We encourage architects with experience in self-certification programs to share their insights with AIA Los Angeles. This feedback will be crucial in shaping an effective program for the City of Los Angeles.

Resources:

By working together, we can streamline the TI permit process in Los Angeles, fostering a more efficient and business-friendly environment.

MORE BACKGROUND:

We originally requested LADBS to pursue this option in 2021 and as a result, they created the Fast Track Office Tenant Improvement Program.  That program was successfully launched in October 2021 with the following criteria:  “Eligible Projects must be designed by a licensed architect or engineer and require only Department of Building and Safety approval.”

To qualify for the current LADBS Fast Track Office Tenant Improvement Program:
• The project is for office space, Group B Occupancy
• The plans are stamped and signed by a California-licensed Architect or Engineer
• The project does not involve a change of use or additional floor area
• The project does not require approval from other City or County Departments

AIA CALIFORNIA ADVOCACY UPDATE

Housing and Climate Action Among Priority Bills AIA California Takes Positions On

Each year, AIA CA takes positions on legislation that impacts the profession, whether that impact could be positive or negative.

Due to the nature of the AIA California Board of Directors meeting schedule this year, our three committees that review legislation – the Advocacy Advisory, Housing, and Climate Action – were tasked with identifying any bills that were a priority to weigh in on earlier in the process.

There are a number of reasons why these bills were flagged as a priority, including:

  • AIA California wants to ask for specific amendments. We do not want to blindside authors with amendment requests at the last minute in the process.
  • The bill aligns with one of our priority areas identified in our various policy statements (i.e. housing and climate action) and it is important that we are active in promoting it.
  • We want to be able to support our allied partners in advancing their priorities that align with ours to further develop those relationships.
  • A legislator’s office has actively reached out to us asking for our support.

Using these filters, these committees identified six bills for the AIA California Executive Committee to review and vote on AIA CA’s official positions.

These bills include the following:

  • Two bills that seek to provide tools for streamlining adaptive reuse to housing, AB 2909 and AB 2910 by Assemblyman Santiago. The first seeks to expand access to tax incentives for adaptive reuse projects and the second allows local jurisdictions to make adaptive reuse projects more feasible through alternate building regulations.
  • SB 937, by Senator Wiener seeks to aid in the production of new homes by delaying the payment of development fees imposed by a local government until the certificate of occupancy is issued, and extending housing entitlements issued prior to January 1, 2024 and set to expire on or before December 31, 2025 by 24 months.
  • SB 1207, by Senator Dahle would broaden the scope of the Buy Clean California Act to include all insulation types, not just mineral wool board insulation, as it currently does. This will allow “apples-to-apples” comparison of the Global Warm Potential (GWP) of competing insulation products for a particular application.
  • AB 2433 by Assemblymember Quirk-Silva seeks to address lengthy delays in the building permit process by introducing flexibility in fee structures, inspection timelines, and the conditional utilization of private professional services.
  • AB 2243 by Assemblymember Wicks amends the language of the Affordable Housing and High Road Jobs Act of 2022 (AB 2011, Wicks). These amendments facilitate the implementation of AB 2011 by expanding its geographic applicability and clarifying aspects of the law that are subject to interpretation.

For more information on these bills and AIA CA’s positions click here.

The AIA California Board of Directors will be voting to take positions on the remaining recommendations from the legislation review committees at the board meeting on May 31, 2024.

 

WHAT I’M READING

Affordability for Whom? Introducing an Inclusive Affordability Measure

Sustainable Urban Design Framework

Hotels now account for over one-third of adaptive reuse projects

 

AIA|LA CITY LEADERS BREAKFAST RECEPTIONS

Please join us at our next four receptions.  We’ll be organizing more in the summer!

 

AIA|LA & LACP DESIGN REVIEW SESSIONS

In 2024, we will coordinate thirty-six virtual design review sessions, which will serve as opportunities for architects and designers to help the Los Angeles City Planning’s Urban Design Studio critically review upcoming projects throughout the City.

Upcoming sessions include:

Tuesday, May 14 (10am – 12pm)

Tuesday, May 21 (10am – 12pm)

Join us here w/ RSVP to gain zoom access.

Reach out and get more involved!

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Will Wright, Hon. AIA|LA
Director, Government & Public Affairs
t: 213.639.0764
e: will@aialosangeles.org
www.aialosangeles.org

 

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