Bank Renovation Permit Success in Los Angeles, CA

Permit Place recently undertook a challenging renovation project for RSP Architects, who were working on a bank renovation for a financial institution client in Los Angeles, CA. This permit expediting project encompassed securing approvals for building, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical permits. Our task was to ensure that the renovation of the historic bank met modern standards while preserving its integral features. 

Challenges

The primary obstacles in this renovation stemmed from compliance issues. The existing bank building did not meet ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards, a crucial factor in public buildings. Additionally, its location within a specific planning area added layers of complexity to the permitting process, involving stringent compliance to localized regulatory requirements.

Solutions and Strategies

To navigate these hurdles, our team implemented an array of strategic measures. The cornerstone of our approach was our due diligence process, which involved rigorous assessment of key project contacts, potential issues in the submissions, and detailed planning from the outset. This preparation was pivotal in mapping out the exact requirements for plan formats, naming standards, applicable fees, relevant departments, building codes, and contractor necessities.

Our team arranged a meeting with the ADA reviewer, which led to a rare exemption on certain ADA compliance requirements. Coupled with excellent relationships with the planner checkers, we managed to streamline the process significantly. These strategic dialogues enabled us to have the permit processed as “over the counter,” bypassing the usual lengthy plan check.

Project Wins

From an estimated turnaround time of 12 weeks, our capable handling of the process saw the renovation permits approved in just 8 weeks—a remarkable achievement given the complexity involved. According to our project manager, the significant win was navigating the intricacies of permitting regulations efficiently, leading to swift and successful compliance and approval.

The RSP Architects client renovation project in Los Angeles epitomizes Permit Place’s expertise in handling high-stakes, compliance-heavy permit expediting with finesse and rigor. Our strategic foresight, in-depth governmental collaboration, and detailed initial planning were key in exceeding client expectations and achieving project goals ahead of schedule