That’s Not Permitted
José Huizar ignored the law, expanded his house, then used insiders to make things okay
With Murray’s help, Huizar persuaded the zoning administrator to legalize the unpermitted addition. Although city law requires a buffer of five feet between any single-family house and its side yard, Huizar was allowed to reduce that buffer, known as a “setback,” to as little as four inches in some spots. As he forgave the unpermitted work, associate zoning administrator Albert Landini said that the city’s setback requirements did not take into account the curvy lot — and the need for more space to house Huizar’s two young children.
“Denial of the request would unfairly prevent [Huizar] from enjoying reasonable use of the subject site, accommodating the needs of a growing family,” Landini wrote in his July 2004 letter approving Huizar’s project.
Osinski, the architect, questioned whether Huizar’s request would have been granted had he lacked connections. Even when builders ask for exceptions to the building code, they don’t always get the kind of leeway that Huizar received, Osinski argued.
“These guys would not sign off on that variance without an order from above,” Osinski added. “His problem got fixed quietly.”
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