The Community Development Department strives to be a leader in planning practices and policies. Below is a list of recent significant awards.

• 3-STAR Certified Community, 2019, STAR Communities Rating System 
• Award of Excellence for Distinguished Leadership, Planning Agency, 2015 by the LA APA (Los Angeles Section of the American Planning Association)
• Award of Merit for Planning Best Practices for the West Hollywood West Neighborhood Overlay and Design Guidelines, 2015 by the LA APA
• Award of Excellence for Opportunity and Empowerment for the Courtyard at La Brea, 2015 by the LA APA
• Award of Excellence for Urban Design for the Design District Streetscape Master Plan, 2015 by the LA APA
• Small Jurisdiction Comprehensive Plan Award for the General Plan 2035, 2011 by the LA APA
• Most Walkable City in California, 2011 and 2013 by Walkscore
• 10 Great Streets in America (Santa Monica Blvd), 2011, by the American Planning Association
• Innovation in Green Community Planning Award for the Climate Action Plan, 2011 LA APA
• Outstanding Climate Change Document Award for the Climate Action Plan, from the Association of Environmental Professionals
• Outstanding Innovation in Green Community Planning for the Green Building Program, 2008 California APA