If you’re a Los Angeles business owner and you haven’t heard about ADA compliance, you’re either very lucky or you’ve been living under a rock.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that businesses make their property accessible to all workers and visitors, especially those with mobility issues. The last thing you want as a business owner is a lawsuit because your sidewalk or ramp are inaccessible to those with mobility issues. In fact, some insurers may not even offer your business coverage unless your sidewalks and ramps are up to ADA standards.
So, what is the first step in installing an ADA compliant wheelchair ramp on your property? A Class A Permit from the Los Angeles Department of Public Works.
What is a Class-A Permit in Los Angeles?
A Class-A Permit is issued by the Los Angeles Department of Public Works Bureau of Engineering. An engineer will review your plans to ensure that they comply with city, state and federal building standards and ordinances, including ADA.
A-permits are issued for projects that are constructed in the public right-of-way. What’s the public right-of-way? Anywhere a pedestrian would travel – sidewalks, driveway ramps, curbs and gutters, etc.
An A-Permit can also cover:
- Sidewalk ramps
- Driveway approaches
- Sidewalk repair
- Sidewalk installation
- Curb drains
- Curb and gutter repair
- Installation of streetscape fixtures (bicycles racks, speed humps, parklets, parkways landscaping, etc.)
- Street tree wells
- Street resurfacing/repairs for minor excavations
Basically, any project that’s in the way of pedestrians walking down the street needs an A-Permit.
How do I apply for an A-Permit in Los Angeles?
The city has a system! You can apply via the city’s portal. You will have to create an account with the city’s app Angeleno, if you haven’t already done so.
Anyone can actually apply for an A-Permit on your property. This is not necessarily a bad thing for you.
The permitting process can sometimes feel like a Kafka-esque process. That’s why most property owners will hire a licensed contractor or permit expeditor.
Think of a permit expeditor as having a Ph.D in the permitting process in Los Angeles. They have pulled thousands of permits during their career. They are the masters at the permitting process. You can always make your life a little easier by hiring one of these professionals to get your A-Permit completed in a timely manner.
How long does an A-Permit last?
A-Permits have expiration dates. An A-Permit is valid from the construction start date specified on the approved permit until the stated expiration date.
An A-Permit can also be expired or voided if:
- The project is not started within six months.
- The project is not being prosecuted diligently
- If no work has been done 60 days after the date construction began.
The city does allow you to apply for an extension, if you show cause.
Ready to get that ADA compliant wheelchair ramp project started? Call us today for a free quote and let us pull your A-Permit for you.
Need Help With Your A-Permit Project?
A-Permit.com handles the entire permit process — from application to BOE inspection.