Planning a custom home in Glendale

1. 01

   Research the parcel before drawing

   The City asks applicants to research permit history, the zone and its development standards, the design guidelines and specialty maps covering hillside slopes, homeowners associations, hazards, ridgelines and special setbacks.

   Official resource: Glendale · How to Submit a Planning Application

   City-wide guidance · Passage checked October 13, 2026 · supporting excerpt read through search results from the official page; confirm current instructions with the agency

2. 02

   Bring preliminary drawings to an initial review

   The published sequence starts with an initial review appointment with preliminary drawings and a planner consultation, followed by design review cases, application processing, public review, a hearing and decision where required, then plan check.

   Official resource: Glendale · How to Submit a Planning Application

   City-wide guidance · Passage checked October 13, 2026 · supporting excerpt read through search results from the official page; confirm current instructions with the agency

3. 03

   Design to the Single Family and Hillside chapters

   To approve a project under Design Review, decision-makers must find it consistent with the intent of the Comprehensive Design Guidelines, which have separate Single Family and Hillside chapters.

   Official resource: Glendale · Comprehensive Design Guidelines (adopted Nov. 29, 2011)

   City-wide guidance · Passage checked October 11, 2026 · Effective or dated 2011-11-29 · passage read from a dated search-engine capture of the official page; confirm current instructions with the agency

4. 04

   Prepare the new single-family plan check set

   Building & Safety publishes minimum submittal requirements for New Single Family Dwelling projects. A Modified Soil Report instead of site-specific sampling needs a Building Code Modification request and is granted case by case.

   Official resource: Glendale · Development Services FAQ

   City-wide guidance · Passage checked October 11, 2026 · passage read from a dated search-engine capture of the official page; confirm current instructions with the agency

Each step links to the official page it comes from. Requirements differ by parcel; confirm with the agency.

Glendale is an incorporated city in Los Angeles County.

City of Glendale — Community Development (Planning, Zoning and Building & Safety). Applications are processed through the City's online permit portal.

• Permit authority guide: Glendale permits
• Remodeling and ADU page for this city

Which planning question to resolve first here, and why it shapes the brief. Each answer comes from the cited City page or stays a question for staff.

1. Question 1

   Which planning processes does the case planner assign?

   Glendale's planning application page (read via search excerpt, October 13, 2026) says most large additions and new construction go through planning before a building permit, with processes decided by the case planner.

   source: Glendale · How to Submit a Planning Application

2. Question 2

   Which design guideline chapters apply?

   The Single Family and Hillside chapters frame design review; the guidelines carry a 2011 adoption date, so confirm current use with the planner.

   source: Glendale · Comprehensive Design Guidelines (adopted Nov. 29, 2011)

3. Question 3

   What does plan check need after planning?

   Prepare the new single-family plan check set only after planning approval.

   source: Glendale · Development Services FAQ

• Hillside sequence →
• Preparing preliminary drawings →
• Budget lines for site work →

• Design review drawings and possible revisions after public review
• Geotechnical report for the site, unless a modification is granted
• Hillside grading, retaining and access where slope maps apply

These items affect cost; none is a price. See how to build a realistic budget: Custom home budget guide

• Comparing square-foot figures
• Asking for grading, utilities and walls as separate lines
• Open the budget worksheet
• Base dates and escalation for a later start

• Do the specialty maps show hillside slope, ridgeline, hazard, association or special-setback layers on this lot?
• Which planning processes will the case planner require for this new house?
• Is a site-specific geotechnical report needed?

• Address or APN and recent site photos
• Survey, title report and prior permits if available
• Architect drawings, or a written list of rooms and priorities
• Target timing and how you plan to finance construction

Related guides: Buying land to build · Lot utility due diligence · Choosing a custom-home builder · 2025 Energy Code for new homes

Each source shows what it covers and whether its passage was checked in our review.

• Glendale · How to Submit a Planning Application

  Pre-application research, initial review, design review, hearing and plan check sequence.

  City-wide guidance · Passage checked October 13, 2026 · supporting excerpt read through search results from the official page; confirm current instructions with the agency
• Glendale · Comprehensive Design Guidelines (adopted Nov. 29, 2011)

  Design Review consistency finding; Single Family and Hillside chapters.

  City-wide guidance · Passage checked October 11, 2026 · Effective or dated 2011-11-29 · passage read from a dated search-engine capture of the official page; confirm current instructions with the agency
• Glendale · Development Services FAQ

  New Single Family Dwelling submittal requirements; Modified Soil Report modification.

  City-wide guidance · Passage checked October 11, 2026 · passage read from a dated search-engine capture of the official page; confirm current instructions with the agency

3 of 3 official source passages checked (latest October 13, 2026).

Page content last updated: October 11, 2026

All local planning resources