Should L.A. Merge Its Planning and Building & Safety Departments?

At a recent AIA breakfast brainstorm, Los Angeles City Council President Herb Wesson asked attendees to weigh in on a controversial proposal to merge the Department of Building and Safety with the city's Planning Department in order to cut costs.

1 minute read

December 6, 2012, 9:00 AM PST

By Kevin Madden


On November 15th, Los Angeles City Council President Herb Wesson attended a breakfast held by the American Institute of Architects, a forum for exploring ideas and discussing possibilities for the future of Los Angeles. With the City of Los Angeles facing serious budgetary challenges, no budget solution can be left off the table, no matter how challenging and unusual. The Planning Report presents the following partial transcript of Wesson’s candid discussion on the pros and cons of merging the Department of Building and Safety with Planning.

Council President Wesson approaches the issue by acknowledging that Building and Safety and Planning are the two departments that receive the most complaints. The audience of professionals, however, notes that Planning receives complaints because the City has not invested in upgrading the Los Angeles zoning code since the 1940s, and the functions of both departments do not particularly overlap. Wesson's discussion illustrates the effect that fiscal burdens take on cities today. As American urban areas continue to grow, municipalities are forced to cut the tools they need to accomodate change.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012 in The Planning Report

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Google street view of red brick multi-story power plant building in Pittsburgh, PA.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower

A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

July 4 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Cyclist on protected bike lane in middle of street in Washington D.C. with Washington Monument obelisk visible in background.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”

The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

July 4 - Streetsblog USA

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business