The 900-Square-Foot Cumulative Threshold

The 900-square-foot threshold is the most-misread provision in the Mulholland Scenic Parkway Specific Plan. It is the cumulative count of all new construction added to the property since the Plan’s adoption in 1992 — not a per-project number. Prior permitted additions are pulled into the count when a new addition is filed.

Projects under the cumulative threshold may be approved by Administrative Clearance or by a Specific Plan Project Compliance (SPPC) sign-off. Projects at or above 900 cumulative square feet require Project Compliance review with the Design Review Board, regardless of how small the proposed addition is in isolation.

Three property conditions disqualify a project from Administrative Review regardless of size:

• The property lies within 200 feet of public parkland.
• The property lies within 50 vertical feet of a Prominent Ridge.
• The property lies within 100 feet of an identified stream.

A property that hits any one of these flags routes to Project Compliance with the DRB even when the cumulative square footage is well under 900.

• A complete cumulative addition count including every permitted addition since 1992 — not just the proposed scope.
• Proximity to parkland, prominent ridge, or stream verified through ZIMAS, the Specific Plan map series, and the topographic survey.
• The correct review pathway selected at filing. A project assumed to be administrative will be redirected to Project Compliance if the cumulative count or proximity flags are missed.
• Consistency between the project description, the cumulative count, and the supporting permit history.

• Pull the property’s permit history before drafting. Add prior addition square footages and confirm cumulative status.
• Run ZIMAS for parkland, ridge, and stream proximity flags before the project description is locked.
• Where the cumulative count and proximity flags both clear, file through preliminary review at the Online Application System before assembling the Administrative Clearance package.
• Where the count or flags do not clear, plan the schedule and budget around full Project Compliance with DRB from the outset.

Source: Mulholland Scenic Parkway Specific Plan, §11.J (cumulative count of new construction from 1992 forward; proximity disqualifiers for Administrative Review). Adopted by Ordinance No. 167,943 (May 13, 1992); Specific Plan Procedures and DRB Procedures amended per Ordinance No. 187,930.