Office Building ADA Compliance in North Hollywood
1,241 office buildings across 7 commercial corridors. With 94.4% of buildings constructed before 1990 and an average build year of 1959, North Hollywood office buildings face significant ADA compliance challenges.
North Hollywood has 1,241 office buildings, 94.4% built before 1990 (avg. year 1959), concentrated along Lankershim Boulevard (NoHo Arts District Core). Office Building ADA litigation risk is moderate in North Hollywood, with settlements reaching $5M — non-compliant accessible parking spaces is the leading trigger. North Hollywood's 10.8% disability rate and 13.4% senior population create above-average demand for accessible office buildings. Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) oversees ADA compliance for North Hollywood's office buildings, with 6 local programs supporting accessibility upgrades.
Office Building Building Stock in North Hollywood
North Hollywood's Lankershim Boulevard (NoHo Arts District Core) corridor has 94.4% pre-1990 office buildings with an average build year of 1959, making non-compliant accessible parking spaces especially common.
An analysis of office building properties in North Hollywood, including building age, square footage, and key commercial corridors.
1,241
Office Building Properties
11.06M
Total Sq Ft
94.4%
Built Before 1990
1959
Avg Year Built
Typical Era: 1960s-1990s
Key Corridors
Lankershim Boulevard (NoHo Arts District Core)
Primary commercial spine of North Hollywood running diagonally approximately 2.5 miles from the 134/101 Freeway interchange northwest through the NoHo Arts District to Oxnard Street. Lankershim is the oldest street in the area, established as Highway 159 in the early 1900s connecting Los Angeles to US Route 99. The southern stretch between Camarillo St and Chandler Blvd is the densest commercial zone, with 2-4 story mixed-use, retail, theater, and restaurant buildings. The Metro B Line (Red) and G Line (Orange) terminate at Lankershim and Chandler, making this the highest-transit-access point in the San Fernando Valley. The SurveyLA-eligible Lankershim Commercial Corridor Historic District (period of significance 1936-1958) contains approximately 30 buildings. Major ADA concerns center on pre-war building stock with stepped storefronts, mixed sidewalk conditions, and high pedestrian volumes creating path-of-travel conflicts with outdoor dining and signage.
Laurel Canyon Boulevard
Major north-south arterial running approximately 2.5 miles through the western portion of North Hollywood from Riverside Drive to Sherman Way, carrying over 31,000 vehicles per day. Commercial nodes cluster at intersections with Victory Blvd (NoHo West), Oxnard St, Burbank Blvd, and Magnolia Blvd. Building types include 1-3 story office buildings, small medical offices, standalone retail, and auto-service businesses. The NoHo West development at Laurel Canyon and Erwin St is the major commercial anchor with 500,000 SF of office and 316,000 SF of retail.
Burbank Boulevard
East-west secondary arterial running approximately 2 miles between Vineland Ave and Coldwater Canyon Ave. Burbank Blvd has a neighborhood-commercial character with small office buildings, medical offices, creative spaces, recording studios, and neighborhood retail. Mid-century commercial buildings from the 1950s-1970s are common, with increasing conversion to creative office and studio production space. The intersection of Burbank and Lankershim Blvds is a key commercial node in the NoHo Arts District.
Tujunga Avenue
North-south corridor running approximately 3 miles from Riverside Drive to Sherman Way. The southern portion (5100-5600 blocks) is the institutional heart of historic North Hollywood, with a concentration of 1920s-1940s civic and institutional buildings including North Hollywood Park, the Amelia Earhart Library (HCM #302, 1926), and the North Hollywood Masonic Temple (HCM #1078, 1949). North of Magnolia Blvd, Tujunga transitions to a mix of industrial flex, creative space, and commercial uses. North of Vanowen St, the corridor is predominantly industrial approaching Burbank Airport.
Showing corridors most relevant to Office Buildings. 7 total corridors in North Hollywood.
Notable Buildings
El Portal Theatre
5269 Lankershim Blvd
Built 1926
12,000 sq ft
Security Trust and Savings Bank Building (The Federal Bar)
5303 Lankershim Blvd
Built 1923
12,500 sq ft
Lankershim Arts Center (former DWP Building)
5108 Lankershim Blvd
Built 1939
2,500 sq ft
Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (Television Academy)
5220 Lankershim Blvd
Built 1991
52,000 sq ft
Office building at Laurel Canyon Blvd
6400 Laurel Canyon Blvd
Built 1972
60,099 sq ft
Office/retail building with rooftop signage
5318-5320 Laurel Canyon Blvd
Built 1965
5,775 sq ft
Recording studio complex (fully redeveloped)
10859 Burbank Blvd
Built 1960
8,130 sq ft
Medical/dental office building
10700 Burbank Blvd
Built 1965
4,292 sq ft
North Hollywood Masonic Temple
5122 Tujunga Ave
Built 1949
8,000 sq ft
Amelia Earhart Regional Library
5211 Tujunga Ave
Built 1926
12,000 sq ft
ADA Litigation Risk for Office Building in North Hollywood
With a moderate litigation risk and settlements reaching $5M, office buildings in North Hollywood face significant ADA exposure — Office buildings classified purely as "commercial facilities" under ADA Title III face substantially lower litigation ri….
Litigation Risk Level
moderate
Office buildings classified purely as "commercial facilities" under ADA Title III face substantially lower litigation risk than retail, restaurant, or hospitality properties. The ADA explicitly defines commercial facilities as "privately owned, nonresidential facilities such as factories, warehouses, or office buildings". Unlike public accommodations, commercial facilities are **not** subject to the ongoing "readily achievable barrier removal" obligation. Their compliance duties arise primarily in connection with new construction or alterations. That said, the accessible path from parking through the lobby, elevators, restrooms, and common areas on every occupied floor must comply with ADA Standards and CBC 11B whenever new construction occurs or alterations are made. Multi-tenant buildings introduce layered liability: under *Botosan v. Paul McNally Realty* (9th Cir. 2000), both the landlord and tenant carry concurrent ADA obligations, and lease provisions allocating responsibility to tenants do not absolve the landlord. Conversely, under *Kohler v. Bed Bath & Beyond* (9th Cir. 2015), tenants are generally not liable for ADA violations in areas controlled exclusively by the landlord, such as shared parking lots.
Typical Settlement Range
$1,000 – $5,150,000
Most Targeted Property Types
Plaintiff Firms Targeting Office Buildings
| Firm | Focus | Volume |
|---|---|---|
| Employee vs. Visitor Plaintiff Patterns | ||
| Landlord-Targeted vs. Tenant-Targeted Lawsuits |
The distinction between employee and visitor claims is critical for office buildings: - Title I (Employment): Employees and applicants at workplaces with 15 or more employees are protected under ADA Title I, which requires reasonable accommodations in the workplace.
Serial plaintiffs—who account for a disproportionate share of California's ADA filings—overwhelmingly target public-facing businesses such as restaurants, gas stations, and retail stores.
ADA Violations & Risk Profile for Office Buildings
Non-Compliant Accessible Parking Spaces
Parking garage or surface lot spaces have excessive slopes/cross-slopes, improper dimensions, or faded striping. This is the #1 violation statewide with 1,755 instances (15.96% of all violations).
The accessible route from parking to the building entrance is the single most-litigated area in California ADA cases, with parking-related violations occupying three of the top ten positions statewide. For office building parking garages, the route must include: Properly dimensioned and signed accessible spaces (including van-accessible) Compliant slopes and cross-slopes Detectable warning surfaces at vehicular-way crossings An accessible path with proper width (36 inches minimum, 48 inches preferred), lighting, and curb ramps connecting to the lobby entrance
Inaccessible Exterior Path of Travel
Routes from parking lot or public right-of-way to the building entrance have non-compliant surfaces, excessive slopes, or lack detectable warnings. Recorded 1,197 instances (10.89%).
Missing or Non-Compliant Parking Signage
Accessible parking spaces lack proper International Symbol of Accessibility signs, van-accessible designations, or tow-away signage at entrances. Recorded 1,074 instances (9.77%).
Non-Compliant Counter/Surface Heights
Reception desks, lobby counters, and sign-in areas exceed maximum height requirements (34 inches max for accessible portions). Recorded 1,035 instances (9.41%).
Non-Compliant Exterior Ramps and Stairs
Building entrance ramps exceed 1:12 slope ratio, lack compliant landings, or are missing handrails and edge protection. Recorded 894 instances (8.13%).
Interior Path-of-Travel Obstructions
Objects project into accessible corridors (wall-mounted displays, fire extinguisher cabinets, planters) reducing clearance below the 80-inch head height or beyond the 4-inch protrusion limit. Recorded 644 instances (5.86%).
Non-Compliant Van-Accessible Spaces and Loading Zones
Office building parking facilities lack van-accessible spaces with 96-inch-wide access aisles, or loading zones are missing or noncompliant. Recorded 498 instances (4.53%).
Non-Compliant Restroom Entry Doors
Restroom doors have non-compliant thresholds, inaccessible hardware (round knobs instead of lever handles), or insufficient maneuvering clearance. Recorded 394 instances (3.58%) and rising—this violation moved from 11th place in 2023 to 9th in 2024.
3,252 cases (37.5% of national total)
Federal ADA Title III filings in California (2025)
8,667 cases
National ADA Title III federal filings (2025)
2,696 ADA civil cases (16.5% of all civil filings in the district)
Central District of California ADA filings (FY2024)
So Cal Equal Access Group (Jason Kim, Jason Yoon) — 2,598 federal ADA filings in 2024 (79.9% of CA federal filings)
Most prolific federal filing firm in LA County
41.1% of all complaints and prelitigation letters (1,775 of 4,319)
Manning Law APC statewide CCDA share (2024)
Based in Encino (~4 miles from NoHo), filed 802 CCDA submissions in 2024 (18.6% statewide)
Hakimi & Shahriari proximity
$10,000–$25,000 (restaurants), $8,000–$20,000 (retail)
Typical single-visit settlement demand range
88% of accessibility complaints filed in state court
State vs. federal filing split (2024)
A CASp inspection completed before any lawsuit confers Qualified Defendant status under Cal. Civ. Code §55.51, providing three critical protections: a mandatory 90-day stay of court proceedings (halting attorney fee accumulation), a mandatory early evaluation conference facilitating rapid settlement, and a 75% reduction in statutory damages from $4,000 to $1,000 per offense for violations corrected within 60 days. Despite these powerful protections, CCDA data shows that only 42 out of 4,623 case resolutions in 2024 involved a CASp inspection — meaning 99% of defendants failed to use this protection. Properties with CASp reports also receive expedited plan review at LADBS for correction of identified violations under California Civil Code §55.53.
Who Needs Accessible Office Buildings in North Hollywood
North Hollywood's 10.8% disability rate and 13.4% senior population create high demand for accessible office buildings.
10.8%
Residents with Disabilities
13.4%
Residents 65+
73,065
Veterans
Accessible workplaces are required to accommodate employees and visitors with disabilities.
Building Department & Permit Requirements
Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) in North Hollywood oversees ADA compliance for 1,241 office buildings — 2023 City of Los Angeles Building Code (CBC with LA amendments), including Chapter 11B Accessibility.
Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS)
City of Los Angeles jurisdiction — North Hollywood is a neighborhood within the City of LA, not a separate municipality. LADBS handles all building permits; LA City Planning handles zoning; LA Public Works handles right-of-way.
| Current building code | 2023 City of Los Angeles Building Code (CBC with LA amendments), including Chapter 11B Accessibility |
| Path-of-travel trigger | CBC Section 11B-202.4 — alterations, structural repairs, or additions to existing buildings require accessible path of travel to the area of work |
Local Programs & Resources
6 local programs
JEDI Zone Facade Improvement Program — North Hollywood/Lankershim
The EWDD JEDI Zone Facade Improvement Program provides grants of up to $75,000 per business (not to exceed $300,000 per project) for exterior facade improvements to commercial establishments within the North Hollywood/Lankershim JEDI Zone (Lankershim Blvd between Burbank Blvd and Oxnard St). Eligible improvements include exterior doors, window replacement, exterior lighting, signage, painting, and ADA accessories. A separate Lankershim Facade Improvement Program administered through the Los Angeles Neighborhood Initiative (LANI) completed facade renovations at six sites along Lankershim Blvd in 2025, with a budget of $445,000–$595,000 that explicitly included ADA accessories.
City of Los Angeles Sidewalk Repair Program (Willits Settlement)
Under the Willits v. City of Los Angeles settlement (finalized 2016), persons with mobility disabilities can request repairs to public sidewalks, curb ramp installations, and removal of other barriers in the pedestrian right-of-way. The City committed $1.4 billion over 30 years. Requests are submitted through LA 311 or online at sidewalks.lacity.gov. Property owners can submit access requests to improve the public approach to their buildings, benefiting customers and reducing exposure to ADA litigation over public-way conditions.
License #991
State-Certified Accessibility Specialist
Built Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center
MS Structural Engineering · Tutor Perini
Qualified Defendant Status
Reduces statutory damages 75% with 90-day litigation stay
What a CASp Inspector Evaluates: Office Building
Key CBC 11B and ADA Standards requirements checked during a CASp inspection
ADA Compliance Costs: Office Building in North Hollywood
Understanding remediation investment and litigation risk
Remediation Investment
Cost of Inaction
4–6 hours on-site
Based on North Hollywood data
Factors That Affect Your Remediation Cost
- •Building height and elevator count
- •Parking structure configuration
- •Common area restroom count
- •Lobby and reception area age
- •Multi-tenant lease structure
Estimates based on industry data and typical remediation projects in California. Actual costs vary based on property condition, scope of barriers identified, and local contractor rates. A CASp inspection report will identify specific barriers and prioritize remediation.
North Hollywood Office Building Compliance Landscape
Local enforcement data combined with office building ADA requirements
North Hollywood office building properties face a moderate litigation risk environment. Typical settlements for office building violations in this market range from $1K to $5M. Of the 1,241 office building properties in North Hollywood, 94.4% were built before 1990 and are subject to heightened compliance scrutiny. Office buildings classified purely as "commercial facilities" under ADA Title III face substantially lower litigation risk than retail, restaurant, or hospitality properties. The ADA explicitly defines commercial facilities as "privately owned, nonresidential facilities such as factories, warehouses, or office buildings". Unlike public accommodations, commercial facilities are **not** subject to the ongoing "readily achievable barrier removal" obligation. Their compliance duties arise primarily in connection with new construction or alterations. That said, the accessible path from parking through the lobby, elevators, restrooms, and common areas on every occupied floor must comply with ADA Standards and CBC 11B whenever new construction occurs or alterations are made. Multi-tenant buildings introduce layered liability: under *Botosan v. Paul McNally Realty* (9th Cir. 2000), both the landlord and tenant carry concurrent ADA obligations, and lease provisions allocating responsibility to tenants do not absolve the landlord. Conversely, under *Kohler v. Bed Bath & Beyond* (9th Cir. 2015), tenants are generally not liable for ADA violations in areas controlled exclusively by the landlord, such as shared parking lots.
Jose Rubio
Certified Access Specialist
CASp #991Jose Rubio brings over 15 years of structural engineering and construction experience to every CASp inspection. He built Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center with Tutor Perini and holds an MS in Structural Engineering.
View full credentials →Frequently Asked Questions
Protect Your North Hollywood Office Building
Schedule a CASp inspection and activate Qualified Defendant status under California Civil Code §55.56.