LA County Property Tax

Their site indicates that new construction is grounds for a new appraisal. However, replacement of structures does not require a reappraisal. That should clear the first house at least.

Los Angeles County Zoning Ordinances

As described on their web site (which also has applications for zoning and subdivision, as well as contacts for the offices).

Also, "How to Request a Subdivision"

ZONE R-1: Single Family Residence

Permitted Uses:
Single family residences (22.20.070 - 22.20.100)

Minimum Required Area:
Unless otherwise specified: 5,000 sq. ft./lot (22.52.100, 22.52.250)

Maximum Height Limit:
35 feet from existing or excavated grade (22.20.110) (unless modified by a special standards district such as a community standards district.)

Minimum Required Parking:
2 covered parking spaces per single family residence (22.52.1180)

Standard Yard Requirements:
Front Yard: 20 feet (22.20.120), except as provided in special Standards District

Rear Yard: 15 feet or 20% of average depth of shallow lot, but not less than 10 feet (22.20.120 and 22.48.110)

Side Yards: Interior Lot: 5 feet or 10% of average width of narrow lot, but not less than 3 feet (22.20.120 and 22.48.100)

Corner Lot: 5 feet except on reversed corner lot, which is 10 feet (22.20.120)

Development Standards:
(See 22.20.105 regarding development standards for single-family residences)

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ZONE R-2: Two Family Residence

Permitted Uses:
Two family residences (or duplex), single family residences (22.20.170 - 22.20.200)

Minimum Required Area:
Unless otherwise specified:
- 5,000 sq. ft./lot (22.52.100)
- 2,500 sq. ft./unit (22.52.270)

Maximum Height Limit:
35 feet from existing or excavated grade (22.20.210). See special standards district

Minimum Required Parking:
- 1 1/2 covered spaces + 1/2 uncovered space per unit for each 2- family residence (duplex)
- Single Family Residence, same as in R-1 zone (22.52.1180)

Standard Yard Requirements:
Front Yard: 20 feet (22.20.220)
Rear Yard: 15 feet or 20% of average depth of shallow lot, but not less than 10 feet (22.20.220 and 22.48.110)
Side Yards: Interior lot: 5 feet or 10% of average width of narrow lot, but not less than 3 feet (22.20.220 and 22.48.100)
Corner lot: 5 feet, except on reversed corner lot, which is 10 feet (22.20.220)

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ZONE R-3: Limited Multiple Residence

Permitted Uses:
Apartment houses, uses permitted in Zone R-1 and R-2 (22.20.260 - 22.20.290)

Minimum Required Area:
Unless otherwise specified:
- 5000 sq. ft./lot (22.52.100)
- 1452 sq. ft./unit or as otherwise limited by the General Plan (22.20.310 and 22.20.060)

Maximum Height Limit:
35 feet from existing or excavated grade (22.20.300)

Minimum Required Parking:
- Each bachelor apartment unit, 1 covered space
- Each efficiency or 1 bedroom apartment unit, 1 1/2 covered spaces
- Each 2 bedroom apartment unit, 1 1/2 covered + 1/2 uncovered spaces
- See R-1 and R-2 zones
- Guest parking required for apartments with a minimum of 10 units at a ratio of 1 space for each 4 units (22.52.1180 and 22.20.330)

Standard Yard Requirements:
Front Yard: 15 ft., except as provided (22.20.320)
Rear Yard: 15 ft. or 20% of average depth of lot, not less than 10 ft. (22.20.320 and 22.48.110)
Side Yards: Interior Lot: 5 feet or 10% of average width of narrow lot, but not less than 3 feet (22.20.320 and 22.48.100) Corner Lot: 5 ft., except on reversed corner lot, which is 7 1/2 feet (22.20.320)

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ZONE R-4: Unlimited Residence

Permitted Uses:
Apartments, rooming and boarding houses, uses permitted in zones R-1 and R-2 (22.20.340 - 22.20.370)

Minimum Required Area:
Unless otherwise specified:
- 5000 sq. ft./lot (22.52.100)
- 871 sq. ft./dwelling or as otherwise limited by the General Plan (22.20.390 and 22.20.060)

Maximum Height Limit:
Total floor area not to exceed 13 times the buildable area (22.52.050)

Minimum Required Parking:
Same as R-1, R-2, and R-3, based on the type of structure (22.52.1180 and 22.20.400)

Standard Yard Requirements:
Front Yard: 15 feet (22.20.380), except as provided in Special Standards District
Rear Yard: 15 feet or 20% of average depth of shallow lot, but not less than 10 feet (22.20.320 and 22.48.110)
Side Yards: Interior Lot: Same as in R-1, plus 1 foot for each story above 2 stories, maximum required 16 feet (22.20.380)
Corner Lot: 5 feet, except on reversed corner lot which is 7 1/2 feet (22.20.380)

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ZONE R-A: Residential Agriculture

Permitted Uses:
- Single family residences
- Crops (field, tree, bush, berry, row and nursery stock) (22.20.410 - 22.20.440)

Minimum Required Area:
Unless otherwise specified 5000 sq. ft./lot (22.52.100, 22.52.250)

Maximum Height Limit:
35 feet (22.20.450)

Minimum Required Parking:
2 covered parking spaces per single family residence (22.52.1180)

Standard Yard Requirements:
Front Yard: Same as R-1 (22.20.450)
Rear Yard: Same as R-1 (22.20.450)
Side Yards: Same as R-1 (22.20.450)
Corner Lot: See 22.20.105 regarding development standards for single family residences

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Building Permits & Inspections

The Planning Division of the Community Development Department is responsible for implementing the City’s Zoning Code, which regulates the types of land uses and buildings that can be located in each part of the City. As such, the Division reviews business licenses to ensure that each business is in the appropriate zone, processes conditional use permits for certain uses pursuant to the Zoning Code, and reviews and processes (as necessary) plans for constructing or modifying buildings and structures.

Planning approval must be secured prior to the issuance of building permits for all new construction and modifications to existing buildings and structures. Depending on the location, use, size and type of building or structure planned, Planning Approval may involve any or all of the following entities: Staff, the City’s Design Review Board, the Historic Resources Commission and the Planning Commission.

The City of Whittier Zoning Code has been developed to ensure a high standard of design and materials for all buildings in the City. In order to more easily interpret the requirements of the Code, the City has adopted Design Guidelines for commercial and residential structures. If you are planning to modify or construct a new building in the City of Whittier, it is recommended that you visit the Community Development Department at City Hall between 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM Monday through Friday or call (562) 464-3380 to request a copy of the Design Guidelines.

Building Permits and Inspections

Under State Law, structures must be built pursuant to locally adopted building codes, in Whittier’s case the Adopted California Model Codes. The Building Division of the Community Development Department is responsible for implementing the City’s Building Code. This includes regulating and controlling the design, construction, quality of materials, use and occupancy, location and maintenance of all buildings and structures within the city of Whittier. As part of its responsibility to ensure that buildings and structures are built to minimum standards to safeguard life or limb, health, property and public welfare, the City requires that a building permit be obtained prior to the construction of improvements to private property. Once a permit is obtained, City building inspectors visit the property at appropriate times to ensure that the construction is occurring pursuant to the plans and the Building Code.

Building permits are required to build, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert or demolish any building. Permits are also required for most plumbing and electrical improvements.

For further information on Building Permits, please call the Community Development Department at (562) 464-3380 or visit any time between 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM Monday through Friday. Building personnel are available at all times, but specific Building Inspectors are in the office between 8:00 and 9:00 AM and 1:00 and 2:00 PM Monday through Friday.

Set Out Stakes

As of today there are two possible places for the first house, and the loan has tenattive approval. I'm going to start Googling for zoning ordinances in advance of Tuesday.