Question 1

Do we need HOA approval as well as a permit?

Accepted Answer

In most of the city, yes, and the two are entirely separate. The HOA architectural committee has its own standards, its own submittal package and its own meeting calendar, and a city approval does not satisfy it. Running both in parallel rather than in sequence is usually worth a month or more.

Question 2

How searching is the city's design review?

Accepted Answer

Searching enough that the elevations matter. The city takes an interest in massing, materials and how buildings sit in the landscape, and a code-compliant set that ignores the design expectations will be held. We draw the set expecting to be reviewed on appearance as well as compliance.

Question 3

What is different about a lakefront lot?

Accepted Answer

Frontage conditions, setbacks measured to the water, and in many cases an additional layer of private rules governing what can be built at the water's edge. Those are worth establishing before the design commits, because they constrain exactly the part of the lot everybody wants to build on.

Question 4

Do fire requirements apply?

Accepted Answer

In the hillside portions of the city, generally yes: ignition-resistant assemblies and defensible space, with fuel modification extending beyond the footprint. We confirm the parcel's designation before detailing rather than adding the requirements late.

Question 5

Do you do additions to existing homes?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The practical first step is measuring the house, because even in newer tracts the drawings on file are frequently the builder's type plan rather than what was constructed on your lot. From there the setbacks, coverage and review requirements do the rest.

Drafting and Permit Documents in Westlake Village

01Do we need HOA approval as well as a permit?

02How searching is the city's design review?

03What is different about a lakefront lot?

04Do fire requirements apply?

05Do you do additions to existing homes?