"Mid-City" is used loosely in Los Angeles. City Planning lists Mid-City as one of the neighborhoods in the Wilshire Community Plan, along with Country Club Park, Wilshire Park and Pico-Robertson (City Planning). Because the name covers a lot of ground, this page focuses on the process: step by step, what a typical Mid-City driveway or sidewalk job involves in the City of LA.
Step 1: Figure out which part is public
Most front-yard concrete jobs in LA have two parts:
- Private: the driveway and walks on your lot.
- Public right-of-way: the driveway approach (apron), curb, gutter, sidewalk and parkway. The Bureau of Engineering controls construction there (BOE). Under LAMC 62.104(b) the owner is still responsible for maintaining the sidewalk, curb and driveway approach fronting the lot (StreetsLA).
Step 2: The A-Permit
New driveway installation and repair, sidewalk repair, and curb and gutter repair are "minor street construction" under a BOE A-Permit. The A-Permit only covers work that matches existing grades. If the work would change a gutter flowline or a sidewalk or street grade, it needs a "B" Permit with engineered plans (BOE permit manual). Applications are made online or at a BOE District Office (BOE permit manual). In single-family and duplex zones the apron must be 10 to 18 feet wide (LAMC 62.105.2). BOE's driveway procedure also says a driveway can't be built within 5 feet of a street light unless the light is relocated, and that water meter, gas valve and street light boxes in the approach require consulting the agency that owns them (BOE driveway procedure).
Step 3: Trees
Mid-City has many parkway trees. If roots must be cut, you get the A-Permit first, then a StreetsLA tree permit (BOE). Sidewalk repair caused by tree roots can be a "no fee" A-Permit if you send BOE a photo of the damage (BOE permit manual). UFD inspects before it issues a root pruning permit, may work with you on a redesign that avoids the roots, and can deny the permit (StreetsLA).
Step 4: Historic overlays
Country Club Park and Wilshire Park are HPOZs. They share a Preservation Plan and board with Windsor Village, and that plan covers landscape and public-realm features like street trees (Preservation Plan). If you are inside one of them, expect design review for visible exterior changes.
Step 5: Multi-unit lots
Many Mid-City lots have duplexes or small apartment buildings. The BOE uses "Case 1" aprons for single-family and duplex properties, "Case 2" for commercial and multi-family properties over four units, and "Case 3" for a residential driveway next to a utility obstruction such as a pole (BOE). Tell the contractor how many units are on the lot so the quote uses the right standard; for a triplex or fourplex, ask BOE which case applies.
Mid-City FAQ
Who should pull the permit?
Anyone can apply for an A-Permit, usually the owner or their representative (BOE). Put in the written quote who is responsible for it.
Can I use asphalt for the apron?
Asphalt aprons need special approval from the District Engineer. Concrete is the default (BOE).
A simple quote checklist
When the quotes come back, check that each one lists the same items so you're comparing equal scopes: demolition and haul-away, base preparation, slab thickness, reinforcement, finish, apron and sidewalk sections, drainage slope, permit responsibility, cleanup and the payment schedule. If one quote is much lower, the missing item is usually the apron, the permit or the haul-away. Always confirm the contractor's license is active at cslb.ca.gov before you pay anything, and don't pay large deposits up front.
Sources
- LA City Planning: Wilshire Community Plan
- BOE A-Permit manual
- LAMC 62.105.2 apron width
- BOE driveway procedure
- StreetsLA tree root prune permits
- StreetsLA policies and guidelines
This page is general information, not legal or permit advice. Rules change; confirm with the agency before starting work.