With such a high demand for housing, many homeowners and developers are converting properties that are zoned for single-family residences into apartment buildings. In high-density areas like Downtown Los Angeles, new apartment buildings are being developed all over the place. When there is convenient access to public transportation, the Planning Department can sometimes waive the need for parking. This allows the design team to utilize the ground floor for additional units. The parking garage is easily the most expensive component of construction due to the need for excavation, grading and constructing an open space with minimal interior structural supports. In addition, the fire-rating requirement almost always leads to a garage constructed using concrete and/or masonry, which means a higher cost of construction. German Engineering Design has helped design and permit over 120 apartment buildings in Southern California with specific focus on affordable housing. Our experience has helped clients save hundreds of thousands of dollars in construction costs by providing valuable input into the layout, minimizing the need for expensive components which can quickly drive costs up. Knowledge of the process also allows us to save time during the permitting process.