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Public-source data on the data desk

Homeowner decision system

Project Studio

Organize purpose, city, project type, constraints and two hypothetical scenarios before speaking with RSA.

This does not verify zoning, feasibility, permits, pricing or financing. Your inputs stay in this browser tab until you choose to carry the brief to the inquiry form.
01 · Purpose
04 · Conditions to verify

05 · Project window

Define one project, not only a scenario.

The map uses your entered text for visual context; it does not verify the parcel, jurisdiction or zoning.

06 · Scenario comparison

Compare your own assumptions.

These are not RSA prices or schedules. Exclusions and unknown conditions are not zero.

Scenario A

Scenario total

Not entered

Scenario B

Scenario total

Not entered

Input-dependent difference: needs both base budgets

07 · Decision panel

Turn volume, budget and period into questions.

These are homeowner inputs for directing the project conversation, not an RSA estimate.

Questions for the project conversation

  1. 01What floor area and spaces are in scope, and what is excluded?
  2. 02What planning budget should be tested, and which allowances, exclusions and contingency belong in it?
  3. 03What target date matters, and what must be verified before estimating a construction period?
  4. 04Who will confirm jurisdiction, records, existing conditions and responsibilities before cost or schedule commitments are made?

08 · Project passport

What you know, what's missing and who decides.

Your next 3 actions

  1. 1. City zoning/parcel lookup or written confirmation from the planning counterA mailing city or ZIP does not decide which rules apply; every later step depends on the right authority.
  2. 2. City permit records requestUnpermitted or expired work can add scope or be required to be legalized before new work is reviewed.
  3. 3. Zoning report from the city (in Los Angeles: ZIMAS parcel profile)Zoning and overlays decide whether planning clearance is needed and what size and placement are allowed.
Property facts (your answers)

Has the city confirmed the parcel is inside its jurisdiction?

Document: City zoning/parcel lookup or written confirmation from the planning counter. A mailing city or ZIP does not decide which rules apply; every later step depends on the right authority.

Do you have the parcel's zoning and any overlays in writing?

Document: Zoning report from the city (in Los Angeles: ZIMAS parcel profile). Zoning and overlays decide whether planning clearance is needed and what size and placement are allowed.

Have you pulled the property's permit history?

Document: City permit records request. Unpermitted or expired work can add scope or be required to be legalized before new work is reviewed.

Is there a current boundary/topographic survey?

Document: Licensed land surveyor's survey. Setbacks, height and placement are measured from surveyed lines, not from maps or fences.

Do you know the existing electric panel, water meter and sewer connection sizes?

Document: Utility bills, panel label photo and provider service records. Capacity upgrades or new meters can change scope, cost and the order of work.

Is there confirmed access for equipment and materials to the work area?

Document: Site photos and a measured access path. Narrow or shared access changes construction method, staging and neighbor coordination.

Full dependency map and agencies

General sequence, not a city approval path. Weeks are your own scenario; no official durations are shown.

  1. Records research

    Existing permits, assessor data and property records that describe what is there today.

    Open questions: 2

  2. Planning clearance — after Records research

    Zoning, use, setbacks and any discretionary review the city requires before building plans.

    Open questions: 2

  3. Utility coordination — after Records research

    Water, sewer, electric and gas capacity, meters and service connections with each provider.

    Open questions: 1

    No verified agency listed for this stage; confirm it with the city.

  4. Building review — after Planning clearance + Utility coordination

    Plan check of construction documents against the building codes; leads to a permit.

    Open questions: 1

    No verified agency listed for this stage; confirm it with the city.

  5. Inspection — after Building review

    Field inspections during construction after a permit is issued.

    Open questions: 0

    No verified agency listed for this stage; confirm it with the city.

Enter weeks for every stage to see your scenario total.

Address lookup shows location, not parcel feasibility.

09 · Proposal comparison

Compare proposals against the same scope.

Enter up to three proposals you received. Type only what each proposal states. Nothing is uploaded or sent until you choose to include the summary in your inquiry. Don't paste contract text or personal details.

How this comparison works
Included:
the proposal says this work is in its price; an amount counts only if the proposal lists one.
Allowance:
a placeholder amount that can change with selections or conditions; totalled separately.
Excluded:
the proposal leaves this to you or another party; it still has to be covered.
Unknown:
not stated — counted as unresolved, never as zero.
Differences:
shown only across rows where both proposals state an amount with the same status, the row applies, and both state the same tax treatment. All amounts are USD. The lowest partial subtotal is not a winner.

No proposals entered. The comparison starts blank.

10 · Complete inquiry

Review the brief before sending.

Review exactly what will be sent
Name, email, phone
What you type in the form
Address
—
City
Carson
Project type
Detached ADU
Subject
Detached ADU planning · Carson
Message (editable)
Homeowner-prepared project brief from RSA Project Studio. Purpose: More living space. Project description: Not provided yet. Address for context: Not provided yet. City: Carson. Project type: Detached ADU. Conditions to verify: None selected yet. Assumed project volume: Not provided yet. Target construction period: Not provided yet. Budget scenarios: not entered. These figures are homeowner assumptions, not a quote, loan offer or feasibility determination. + one project reference line
Context
Page /project-studio · language en · region la · department project_planning

Sent only when you press Send in the form, to RSA. Passport answers, weeks and the PDF are not sent.

Project inquiry

Discuss this project type.

Fields marked * are required.