Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many copies of reports and/or plans do I need to submit to GMED?
Answer: Submit an electronic version of all documents to be reviewed by GMED in Adobe® Portable Document Format (PDF). For additional submittal information please see the Submittal Instructions on the Downloads page.

2. Where do I submit for review of a single lot grading and building plans?
Answer: Please contact your local Building and Safety District office for information on applying for a single-lot grading or building permit application. After an application has been filed with Building and Safety use the instructions on the Downloads page submit documents to GMED for review.

3. Where do I submit for review of subdivision tentative maps, subdivision grading plans, storm drains, sewers, and final maps?
Answer: Please contact Land Development Division for information on applying for review of subdivision tentative maps, subdivision grading plans, storm drains, sewers, and final maps. After an application has been filed with Land Development Division use the instructions on the Downloads page submit documents to GMED for review.

4. How much does a geology and soils engineering review cost?
Answer: Please see the current GMED Review Fees Schedule on the Downloads page.

5. Where do I pay the fees for geology and soils engineering review?
Answer: The review fees for geology and soils engineering review are made on-line on the project information page for your project on our electronic plan check system at: https://epicla.lacounty.gov/SelfService/#/home.

6. Where can I find the latest guidelines regarding liquefaction potential assessment?
Answer: Please see the current Liquefaction Hazard Assessment Guidelines on the Downloads page.

7. I want to review some documents that GMED has related to a property. How do I get access to that information?
Answer: Many GMED files are now available on-line using the following web link: http://dpw.lacounty.gov/gmed/developmentreview. If records are not found for the property you are interested in, please fill out the File Review Request Form and submit it to this office by fax to (626) 458-4913 OR by e-mail it to GMEDRequests@dpw.lacounty.gov

If electronic files are not available and you would like to review our physical file, please allow at least one full business day (24 hours) prior to the review for our staff to locate the requested information and to contact the requestor regarding the information's availability. Our office hours are from 6:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday (excluding federal holidays).

If you have questions or concerns regarding this policy, please contact Charles Nestle at (626) 458-4923.

For more information regarding your privacy when submitting e-mail correspondence, please see http://dpw.lacounty.gov/general/privacy.cfm.

8. Can I get a digital copy of reports that GMED has related to a property?
Answer: Yes, many GMED files are now available on-line using the following web link: http://dpw.lacounty.gov/gmed/developmentreview. If records are not found for the property you are interested in, please fill out the File Review Request Form and submit it to this office by fax to (626) 458-4913 OR by e-mail it to GMEDRequests@dpw.lacounty.gov

If the files you request are small, our staff may scan them and send them to you via email or an ftp link from which you may download the files.

If the files are large, we request that you come in to review files and choose what information you want scanned. You can use our multi-function printer to scan reports and documents (to maximum size of 11"x17") and save them to our local hard drive as PDF (text and image). We can then either transfer those files to your personal portable drive (USB flash drive or thumbdrive) or we'll send them to you via email or an ftp link from which you may download the files. Note: oversize maps and plans may be scanned on a limited basis (depending on staff availability).

9. I need to make copies of some large files. Can I have a service make the copies for me? Do you have a location onsite to make large volume copies?
Answer: We no longer permit our files to taken off site by a bonded blueprint service for copying. Blue print companies may bring equipment to our office to copy or scan files, or we may have staff copy or scan the files for you and charge a nominal fee for that service.