Planning

The Planning Division of the Community Development Department is responsible for the current and long-range planning of the City to ensure balanced physical development in accordance with the City’s adopted General Plan and to administer and enforce the City’s Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance. Administration of the ordinances includes the day to day activities of clearing Business Licenses, clearing building permit requests for zoning compliance, analyzing and writing reports for discretionary approvals at various authority levels, monitoring development for compliance with approvals or regulations, and protecting trees on private property.

The Planning Division is also responsible for Community Design through administration and use of the City’s Residential Design Guidelines, and Historic Preservation through the use of Mills Act Contracts with the City.

Apply for Planning Case

With exception to applications listed below, you may apply for all other entitlement process or building permit online through “ConnectLCF.” Be sure to review the required submittals page prior to applying to ensure you have all necessary documents to upload with your application.

You must register with your own login before applying. You may also find useful guides and tutorials under the How To dropdown menu on ConnectLCF portal.

Commercial Facade Grant

Mills Act Contracts

Overhead Utility Appeal

Substantial Conformance

Apply

CDBG Grant

General Plan

A City’s General Plan is the “blue print” for future development. The General Plan guides the pattern of land development, including residential, commercial and recreational uses and how to get from here to there! It describes how the City will grow or change over time, and is the mechanism by which community character is preserved and enhanced. The General Plan is the document that contains the official policies that guide the development of the City.

Open Space/Recreation Element

Housing Element (as updated February 10, 2014)

Residential Design Guidelines

Zoning Map

Private Trees

La Cañada Flintridge is a “Tree City USA.” The City Council has adopted Chapter 11.40 of the Municipal Code regarding the “Preservation, Protection and Removal of Trees” on private property. The intent is to preserve and encourage the regeneration of a healthy urban forest. Protected private property trees may only be removed by the actual homeowner or an arborist authorized by the City after approval of a Tree Removal Permit. (Which can be applied online through ConnectLCF) The City has created the Official City Tree Preservation and Protection Guidelines (21.5 MB – may require download), also available at City Hall. In addition to the Guidelines, the City Council has established a replacement tree chart and penalties for the illegal removal of trees. If you intend to plant around oak trees, please review this document from the California Oak Foundation.

Landscaping is one of the largest users of water in the City today. To conserve water and conform to the legal requirements of the State, the City has adopted a Water Efficient Landscaping Ordinance. Chapter 4.23 of the Municipal Code provides direction for the development of new or redeveloped landscape areas for residential and non-residential properties. Further resources may be found on the State Department of Water Resources website.

If you have questions or would like to report a City tree-related matter, please contact the Public Works Department at 818-790-8882 or use our online service request system. If you have questions regarding private property trees, please contact the Community Development Department at 818-790-8881 or use the online service request system.

City Authorized Arborists

Tree Brochure

Compatible Plants Under and Around Oak Trees

How to Prune Guide

Planting Trees and Shrubs Guide

Preservation and Prevention Guide

Replacement Tree Chart & Penalties

FAQ

DVSP

Downtown Village Specific Plan

The Downtown Village Specific Plan is a planning and design document intended to describe the kind of environment desired by the citizens of La Cañada Flintridge. The Downtown Village Specific Plan is important to the City and its residents because it will strengthen the Downtown area as the heart of the community with attractive streets, enjoyable public spaces, and lively, mixed use commercial areas.

The Specific Plan is enacted pursuant to Section 65450 et seq. of the California Government Code and other applicable laws. It is intended to provide for systematic implementation of the General Plan, as related to properties located in the area to which the La Cañada Flintridge Downtown Village Specific Plan applies.

Table of Content

Chapter One: Introduction

Chapter Two: Existing Conditions

Chapter Three: Vision

Chapter Four: Urban Design Concepts

Chapter Five: Circulation

Chapter Six: Land Uses

Chapter Seven: Development Standards and Design Guidelines

Chapter Eight: Implementation

Appendix 1: Conceptual Illustrations for the La Cañada Properties Site

Appendix 2: City of La Cañada Flintridge Design Options Manual

Zoning Update