This disclosure described techniques for coding layer dependencies for a block of video data. According to these techniques, a video encoder generates layer dependencies associated with a given layer. The video encoder also generates a type of prediction associated with one or more of the layer dependencies. In some examples, the video encoder generates a first syntax element to signal layer dependencies and a second syntax element to signal a type of prediction associated with one or more of the layer dependencies. A video decoder may obtain the layer dependencies associated with a given layer and the type of prediction associated with one or more of the layer dependencies.