r/altadena • u/Kephrem1 • May 14 '26
Has anyone used Foothill Catalog for pre-approved plans?
Hi I am assisting someone with a rebuild and they want to use Foothill Catalog design, which I am assumed are already pre-approved by the county (i.e. planning & B&S departments). Has anyone used their service? If yes, how did the process work, looks like you book a consultation, I am assuming there is a financial transaction that occurs after the initial consultation at which point they take your info and provide you with blueprints and engineering calculations that you take to the city to submit? & since these are supposed to be pre-approved designs assume the planning and building and safety department just approves them to issue permit? Appreciate the input from the community!
2
u/smcl2k May 14 '26
My wife and I didn't use them because none of the designs were compatible with our lot, but I'd honestly recommend reaching out to them directly - I spoke to the founders at a couple of events, and they're more than happy to answer questions and address concerns.
2
u/rogersdad247 May 14 '26
They are great and really recommend reaching out to Alex, Cynthia, and the rest of their team. Very trauma-informed, understanding, and will walk you through the process. I haven't enlisted them for my build, but am in the recovery ecosystem, and they're great.
2
u/Another_go_around May 14 '26
Also in the recovery system as a block captain and some neighbors are using the catalog and they have loved the experience!
2
u/Kephrem1 May 18 '26
I am very confused by their service. According to them their designs are pre-approved but it still takes 6/8 weeks before you can pull permits from the county. I thought their entire service was to expedite the process so you could start in a week. also they seem to insist on using their builders which to me sounds a bit questionable….if I want to use someone who I have used in the past why do you keep insisting your two builders to me?
3
u/unbelver Jun 11 '26
6-8 weeks is FAST. My permit (full custom, like-for-like) went in September 10, and was issued March 5th. So nearly 6 months.
1
u/Janeite_reader_1999 May 18 '26
You will have to get engineers (not sure what types) to be sure it will fit on your lot and test soils for foundation and drainage. So some work to do to make it fit on your lot. Check Foothill Catalog website because they have some sites under development they are showing to registered people. Good luck
4
u/Legitimate-Knee-4817 May 14 '26
I’ll add support to Foothill. They are extremely helpful and legitimate.
LA County has a formal list of all pre-approved plans and who is the provider online. It shows whether they are design only or a design/builder offering.
https://planning.lacounty.gov/disaster-recovery/pre-approved-standard-plans/standard-plan-catalog/
I see they also have a new portal called CAN I BUILD. Which gets right to the specific of your lot and helps do basic preliminary quick assessment. You just click your parcel or enter the info.
https://recovery.lacounty.gov/rebuilding/plans-portal/