Before a single nail is hammered, there’s an essential, often complex stage that sets the foundation for the entire project: Phase One Management, also known as the entitlement process.
I’m currently in the middle of managing Phase One for a single-family residence (SFR) destroyed in that fire, and it’s a powerful reminder of just how critical this stage is—especially in Los Angeles, where zoning regulations, permit requirements, and multiple agency approvals can either fast-track your rebuild or delay it for months.
Why Phase One Management Matters
Think of Phase One as the architectural and legal DNA of your project.
It determines:
- What you can build (and sometimes, what you can’t)
- How quickly you can start construction
- Whether your project meets all city, county, and state requirements
In Los Angeles, skipping steps or making mistakes in Phase One can:
- Add 6–12 months to your timeline
- Cost tens of thousands of dollars in redesigns and reapplications
- Result in denied permits or mandatory project changes mid-stream
Key Steps in the Phase One Process
For the Pacific Palisades rebuild, here’s what we tackled early on—and what every homeowner or developer should be ready for:
1. Zoning & Regulatory Review
Before you can design, you must understand:
- Current zoning requirements for your property
- Special rebuilding regulations (such as fire-zone ordinances)
- Any California Executive Orders offering streamlined approvals for disaster rebuilds
In our case, the fire rebuild qualified for certain like-for-like rebuilding allowances—but only after careful review of the municipal code and discussions with the Los Angeles City Planning Department.
2. Assembling the Right Professional Team
Phase One isn’t a solo job. For this project, we brought together:
- Architects to create code-compliant plans
- Structural engineers for rebuild safety calculations
- Soils engineers for geotechnical reports
- Title-24 consultants for energy compliance
- Surveyors to confirm property boundaries
Coordinating these professionals is an entire project in itself—and when handled strategically, it saves time, avoids duplication of work, and ensures your plans move through approvals seamlessly.
3. Application Preparation & Submission
For the Palisades project, we had to:
- Prepare all entitlement applications
- Compile architectural plans, engineering reports, and supporting materials
- Coordinate with multiple agencies—City Planning, Department of Building and Safety, and neighborhood councils
The quality of your initial submission determines how many round trips your application takes through the review process.
In other words: submit sloppy, and you’re stuck in review purgatory.
4. Navigating Agency Approvals
Even in straightforward cases, Phase One often requires:
- Attending planning hearings or public meetings
- Meeting with inspectors and planners on-site
- Responding quickly to Requests for Information (RFIs)
For fire rebuilds, timing is everything—especially if you want to take advantage of temporary approval pathways before they expire.
Lessons Learned from the Pacific Palisades Rebuild
- Start Early. The day you decide to rebuild is the day Phase One begins.
- Know Your Exceptions. Post-disaster rebuilds often qualify for expedited processes—but only if you apply correctly.
- Documentation Is King. Missing or incomplete paperwork can kill months of progress.
- Expert Coordination Saves Time. A single point of management prevents costly miscommunication between architects, engineers, and agencies.
How I Help Clients Through Phase One
At Neolynx Business Solutions Inc., my team and I handle every aspect of Phase One Management for our clients:
- Comprehensive zoning and entitlement review
- Professional team assembly & management
- Complete application preparation and submission
- Agency liaison and representation
- Problem-solving and appeals if challenges arise
Our goal? Get you through entitlements faster, with fewer headaches, and with your project set up for success.
If You’re Rebuilding After a Disaster—or Starting Any New Construction Project
Don’t underestimate Phase One.
It’s the make-or-break stage that determines how quickly and smoothly your project moves forward.
If you want a trusted partner to guide you through the maze of zoning laws, permits, and agency approvals, let’s talk.
📍 Learn more about our Construction Consulting – Phase One Management services here:
👉 https://neolynx.biz/services/consulting/construction-consulting/