LA SHRA vacancy records to gather before a lot split
An empty house can still raise questions under LA’s lot-split rules. Before you spend money on a design, gather records that show what is on the property and how it has been used. A listing photo cannot tell that whole story.
This guide covers one vacancy question for single-family-zoned land in the City of Los Angeles, under the Starter Home Revitalization Act, or SHRA. It does not cover Los Angeles County’s separate process.
The City memo cited here is dated October 28, 2025 and expressly covers Chapter 1 of the City’s zoning code. Confirm which zoning code and current guidance apply to your property before relying on it. Source: City SHRA implementation memo, page 1.
Check what vacant means
The memo defines a vacant site as having no permanent structure when you apply, unless the structure is both abandoned and uninhabitable. Uninhabitable means it cannot be lived in.
Possible records include utility history showing at least 180 straight days of vacancy, dated photos of a secured building, and official reports about its condition. These are examples, not automatic proof of eligibility. Source: City memo, page 12, question 1.
Gather a small file with four parts
Use this list to organize records you already have. It is a starting point for a review, not the City’s filing checklist.
Site today. List each structure. Add dated photos taken from places you can safely and legally access. Note which building each photo shows.
Use over time. Put available utility and occupancy records in date order. Mark gaps as unknown. A gap in your file is not proof that a building was empty.
Building condition. Save complete inspection reports and City notices. Include later correction or closure notices.
Housing history. Gather available rental records and housing restrictions. Flag anything that needs a professional review.
Keep original documents together. Use a separate note for your questions so your own comments are not confused with an official finding.
Review the records before changing the property
The memo says a dwelling that qualifies as abandoned and uninhabitable need not be demolished to maintain SHRA eligibility. It may be repaired within the subdivision or kept on a remainder parcel. Protected-housing rules still apply. Source: City memo, page 12.
Before any work, ask City Planning which evidence and approvals are needed. A useful next step is to name a missing record and who can help find it. For example: “I have the inspection report, but I still need the notice showing whether the case was closed.”
Published by Nshanyan Enterprises. Prepared with AI assistance using the linked City memo. Sources checked October 11, 2026. General planning information only. This article has not received property-specific or professional legal review.
