Carthay Homeowner Guide: HPOZ Rules, Permits and ADUs

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Last updated November 13, 2026. Reviewed by the Cash Home Buyers CA team.

Carthay is a Los Angeles neighborhood, and the city maintains a Carthay Circle Historic Preservation Overlay Zone. This guide leads with what the city says about that overlay, then covers how Los Angeles permits and code enforcement work and what to know before you sell a house here.

Governing jurisdiction	City of Los Angeles
Overlay	Carthay Circle Historic Preservation Overlay Zone (HPOZ), adopted by City Council in 1998
HPOZ board meetings	1st and 3rd Thursday of each month, 6 to 8 p.m., Robertson Branch Public Library, 1719 S. Robertson Blvd.
HPOZ staff contact	Deborah McGill, (213) 682-6369, per the city’s overlay page
Permit department	LADBS; PermitLA for simple work, ePlanLA for plan check projects
Multi-unit code complaints	Los Angeles Housing Department, (866) 557-7368

The Carthay Circle HPOZ

Los Angeles City Planning’s overlay page says J. Harvey McCarthy developed Carthay Circle, originally called Carthay Center, between 1922 and 1944, and that the Carthay Circle HPOZ was adopted by the City Council in 1998.

The city lists a Historic Preservation Overlay Zone Board that meets on the first and third Thursday of each month from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Robertson Branch Public Library, 1719 S. Robertson Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90035. The page names a staff contact at City Planning.

The page we reviewed does not spell out which projects need HPOZ review, and we are not going to guess. Generally, an HPOZ is the layer a homeowner should check before changing the exterior of a house. If you own a Carthay home, confirm with City Planning whether your parcel is inside the boundary and whether planned work, or work already done, needed review.

For a seller, that last point matters. Exterior changes made years ago without the right approvals can surface when a buyer researches the property. Collecting any approvals you have is useful.

How building permits work in Los Angeles

LADBS says simple construction projects that do not require plan review can be permitted straight away with PermitLA. All other permits, including those that need plan check, go through ePlanLA. Inspections are requested through LADBS’s online scheduling tool, which offers standard, virtual and off-hour requests. See our Los Angeles Building Permits Guide for the records search and counter services.

In an HPOZ neighborhood, a permit and a preservation review can be separate steps, so ask City Planning about HPOZ review in addition to the LADBS permit when exterior work is involved.

Code enforcement

LADBS responds to complaints about construction, including work done without a permit. Properties with two or more dwelling units are directed to the Los Angeles Housing Department at (866) 557-7368.

When violations are found, an Order to Comply lists the corrections and a compliance period, and fees can accrue while a case is open. The current owner is responsible even if a previous owner caused the problem. Read the Los Angeles Code Enforcement Guide for the details.

ADUs and back units

The city’s ADU ordinance, Ordinance No. 186,481, took effect December 19, 2019. A junior ADU requires an owner-occupied single-family home and cannot be sold separately. State law AB 2533 created a path to legalize some unpermitted units, which still requires plans, fees and inspections.

In an HPOZ, ask City Planning whether an ADU or garage conversion has extra review steps; the pages we checked do not say. Our Los Angeles Zoning and ADU Guide has more.

Selling a Carthay house as-is

You must disclose known material facts, including unpermitted work. A cash buyer can purchase the house in its current condition, which avoids cleanup or approvals before closing. Gather permit records, any HPOZ approvals and any city notices. For the tax side of a sale, see the Los Angeles County property tax guide.

How to sell a house in Carthay

Confirm your parcel’s overlay status with City Planning.
Gather permits, HPOZ approvals and any city notices.
Request a no-obligation cash offer for the house as it stands.
Choose your closing date.
Close with no repairs, approvals or showings required.

See also our Carthay page and the Los Angeles County hub.

Own a Carthay home with unpermitted work or open questions? Sell as-is for cash.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Carthay in a historic district?

The city lists a Carthay Circle Historic Preservation Overlay Zone, adopted by the City Council in 1998. Confirm with City Planning whether your parcel is inside it.

When does the Carthay Circle HPOZ board meet?

The city lists the first and third Thursday of each month, 6 to 8 p.m., at the Robertson Branch Public Library, 1719 S. Robertson Blvd.

Where do I apply for a building permit in Carthay?

Through LADBS: PermitLA for simple projects without plan review, ePlanLA for projects needing plan check.

Does HPOZ review replace a building permit?

The city pages we reviewed do not say. Ask City Planning and LADBS about both before you start exterior work.

Can I build an ADU in an HPOZ?

The pages we checked do not state HPOZ-specific ADU rules. Ask City Planning.

Can I sell my Carthay house as-is?

Yes. You can disclose its condition and sell to a cash buyer. Our statewide guide explains the disclosure rules.

More guides

Sources

This guide is general information from public sources, not legal advice. Confirm current rules, fees and hours with the city.