Cost to install LA french drain?

$4K–$12K typical perimeter drain.

Basement waterproofing in LA?

$15K–$35K for a full interior-exterior system.

Is my Highland Park / Angelino Heights house in an HPOZ?

Most of historic Highland Park (along Figueroa) and all of Angelino Heights are designated HPOZs. We pull the parcel against the City of LA HPOZ map during the first site walk.

Do I need a hillside permit in Silver Lake?

Many Silver Lake blocks fall inside the Hillside Construction Regulation overlay. If yours does, we add a haul-route permit and stricter truck-size limits to the schedule.

Eastside / NELA Drainage & Waterproofing.

LA drainage — french drains, area drains, downspout extensions, sump pumps. Hillside homes get engineered solutions.

NELA permits are predictable as long as you're outside an HPOZ. Inside one (Highland Park, Angelino Heights, parts of Eagle Rock), the Office of Historic Resources reviews materials, windows, and street-facing changes before LADBS will issue. Hillside parcels add a separate haul-route permit and a tighter grading review.

Eastside / NELA cost band — 2026

$4K – $35K

Surface french drain bottom; full basement system top.

Eastside / NELA permit clock

8–12 weeks ministerial

3–7 days for typical drainage system.

Scope — start to keys.

Site assessment
Engineering if needed
Permit
Excavation + install
Backfill + test

What changes about the permit here.

Office of Historic Resources (OHR) review on HPOZ parcels — adds 4–8 weeks before LADBS submittal.
Hillside Construction Regulation (HCR) permits required in many Silver Lake / Echo Park / Mt Washington blocks.
Pre-1978 housing presumed to have lead paint; abatement budgeted before demo on any wall removal.
BHO (Baseline Hillside Ordinance) caps height and grading on R1H lots.

What moves the Eastside / NELA number.

Hillside parcels add $40–120k in geotech, retaining, and crane access vs flat lots.
HPOZ design review pushes window/door budgets 20–35% higher (true-divided lite, wood sash).
Lead and asbestos abatement on pre-1978 homes commonly $8–25k.
Tight street access in Silver Lake / Echo Park drives concrete pump and small-equipment days.

In short.

Cost to install LA french drain?: $4K–$12K typical perimeter drain.
Basement waterproofing in LA?: $15K–$35K for a full interior-exterior system.
Is my Highland Park / Angelino Heights house in an HPOZ?: Most of historic Highland Park (along Figueroa) and all of Angelino Heights are designated HPOZs. We pull the parcel against the City of LA HPOZ map during the first site walk.
Do I need a hillside permit in Silver Lake?: Many Silver Lake blocks fall inside the Hillside Construction Regulation overlay. If yours does, we add a haul-route permit and stricter truck-size limits to the schedule.

More we build in Eastside / NELA.

Drainage & Waterproofing in nearby LA areas.

Got a Eastside / NELA project in mind?

Send us the address and we’ll pull Eastside / NELA zoning, setbacks, and drainage & waterproofing feasibility before you spend on drawings.

Start a Eastside / NELA project →