Long Beach building permits
Building permits in Long Beach are issued by the Long Beach Community Development Department, Building and Safety Bureau1. You can apply and request inspections online through longbeach.gov2.
On this page
- Building department contacts
- Building codes in force in Long Beach
- Long Beach building permit fees
- How to get a building permit in Long Beach
- Permit expiration and extensions
- Inspections in Long Beach
- Building without a permit in Long Beach
- Doing the work yourself (owner-builder)
- California rules that also apply in Long Beach
- Sources
Building department contacts
Long Beach Community Development Department, Building and Safety Bureau1
Building permits
- Website
- longbeach.gov3
- Apply online
- longbeach.gov2
- Phone
- 562.570.PMIT (7648)1
- [email protected]2
- Address
- 411 W. Ocean Blvd., 2nd Floor, Long Beach, CA 908024
- Hours
- Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM; Wed 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM; closed daily Noon-1 p.m.1
- Inspections
- Online only via longbeach.gov/lbcd/building/inspection (no phone requests)5
Long Beach Community Development Department, Planning Bureau1
Zoning and planning
- Phone
- (562) 570-61941
Long Beach Public Works Department (Permit Center counter)1
Public works and right-of-way
- Phone
- (562) 570-67841
To look up permits already issued for an address (useful before you buy, or to check a contractor's work), use the city's official permit search: citydocs.longbeach.gov4.
Building codes in force in Long Beach
These are the model codes Long Beach enforces, with the edition and the date it took effect. Plans are reviewed and work is inspected against them. For the state framework, see California building codes.
| Code | Title as adopted | Model edition | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Building Code (IBC) | 2025 California Building Code7 | 20247 | 8 |
| International Residential Code (IRC) | 2025 California Residential Code7 | 20247 | 8 |
| National Electrical Code (NEC) | 2025 California Electrical Code7 | 20237 | 8 |
| Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) | 2025 California Plumbing Code7 | 20247 | 8 |
| Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC) | 2025 California Mechanical Code7 | 20247 | 8 |
| State code | 2025 California Energy Code7 | 20257 | 8 |
| State code | 2025 California Green Building Standards Code7 | 20257 | 8 |
| International Fire Code (IFC) | 2025 California Fire Code7 | 20247 | 8 |
Adopted by: Long Beach City Council, Ordinance No. ORD-25-00197.
Transition rules. In no event prior to January 1, 20267.
Long Beach building permit fees
Fees come from the Building Plan Review & Permit Fees (Fee Changes Effective 10/1/2026)9.
How valuation is set. Valuation of work; Building Permit Fees (By valuations) table9.
Each line is worded as in Long Beach’s schedule; formulas are not added up into a total (how permit fees work).
| Fee | Type | As the schedule states it |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee by valuation: up to $1,000 | Based on project valuation | up to $1,000 $116 / permit9 |
| Building Permit Fee by valuation: $1,001 to $2,000 | Based on project valuation | $1,001 to $2,000 $116 for the first $500 plus $3 / addt'l $100 or fraction thereof to and including $2,0009 |
| Building Permit Fee by valuation: $2,001 to $20,000 | Based on project valuation | $2001 to $20,000 $149 for the first $2,000 plus $16 / addt'l $1,000 or fraction thereof to and including $20,0009 |
| Building Permit Fee by valuation: $20,001 to $50,000 | Based on project valuation | $20,001 to $50,000 $441 for the first $20,000 plus $11 / addt'l $1,000 or fraction thereof to and including $50,0009 |
| Building Permit Fee by valuation: $50,001 to $100,000 | Based on project valuation | $50,001 to $100,000 $786 for the first $50,000 plus $10 / addt'l $1,000 or fraction thereof to and including $100,0009 |
| Building Permit Fee by valuation: $100,001 to $1,000,000 | Based on project valuation | $100,001 to$1,000,000 $1,264 for the first $100,000 plus $6 / addt'l $1,000 or fraction thereof9 |
| Building Permit Fee by valuation: $1,000,001 and up | Based on project valuation | $1,000,001 and up $6,506 for the first $1,000,000 plus $6 / addt'l $1,000 or fraction thereof9 |
| Standard Plan Review | Plan review | 85% of Building Permit fee per Plan Review, but not less than $1549 |
| Combination Building Permit (Group R-3 / U-1) | Percent of the permit fee | 150% of Building Permit fee per permit, but not less than $1709 |
| Processing Fee (Plans, permits, applications, etc.) | Flat fee | Processing Fee (Plans, permits, applications, etc.) $119 / application9 |
| Records Management and Retention Fee | Percent of the permit fee | Records Management and Retention Fee (of plans by microfilming or digitizing) 5% of the permit fee but not less than $359 |
| Technology Surcharge and General Plan Surcharge | Technology surcharge | A 6% Technology Surcharge and 6% General Plan Surcharge have been added to all applicable fees.10 |
| Strong-Motion Instrumentation & Seismic Hazard Mapping Fee (1 to 3 Story Residential) | State surcharge | $0.13 per each $1,000 of valuation or fraction thereof with a minimum of $0.509 |
| Green Building Standards Fee | State surcharge | $1 per each $25,000 of valuation or fraction thereof with a minimum of $19 |
| Re-inspection Fee | Re-inspection | $145 / re-inspection to be paid before any additional inspection will occur9 |
| Off-Hour Inspections | After-hours inspection | $340 / hour, or a fraction thereof per inspection9 |
| Expedited Plan Review | Expedited review | 2x the Standard Plan Review fee or the Standard Building Plan Review fee plus $359,000, whichever is less.9 |
| Expired Permit | Percent of the permit fee | Expired Permit 50% of a new Permit Fee, but not less than $1059 |
| Work Without a Permit Penalty Fee (Investigation Fee) | Work started without a permit | Work Without a Permit Penalty Fee In addition to the permit fee, 100% of permit fee but no less than $482 for Investigation Fee9 |
| Electrical Permit Minimum Fee | Minimum fee | For electrical permits, a minimum fee will be charged. $104 / permit11 |
| Photovoltaic (Rooftop) Residential 0-10 kilowatts | Flat fee | 0-10 kilowatts $22711 |
| Plumbing Permit Issuance Fee | Flat fee | Plumbing Permit Issuance Fee $104 / permit12 |
| Mechanical Permit Issuance Fee | Flat fee | Mechanical Permit Issuance Fee $104 / permit13 |
How to get a building permit in Long Beach
- Check whether the project needs a permit1
- Identify the permit path (Express, Over-the-Counter, or Submitted Plan Review)1
- Complete applications and permittee documents15
- Schedule an in-person Permit Center appointment (or apply online for eligible projects)1
- Pay fees and receive permit2
- Schedule inspections online1
- Apply online
- Conditional: online self-issue without plan review for PV/ESS (not over 38.4 kW / 38.4 kWh) and EVCS at one- and two-family dwellings and accessory structures; water heater changeouts; electrical panel changeouts; reroofing of one- and two-family dwellings and related accessory structures; minor kitchen remodel, minor bathroom remodel and minor drywall/plaster repair for one- and two-family dwellings2
- Over-the-counter permits
- Express Permits (no plans) and Over-the-Counter Plan Review permits1
- Posting the permit
- Approved plans and job inspection card posted at job site14
Permit expiration and extensions
- How long a permit lasts
- 2 years; expires at 90 days if work not commenced or not inspected, or if suspended/abandoned 90 days7
- Extensions
- Extensions up to 90 days each within validity; max two 180-day extensions of the 2-year validity, by written request7
Inspections in Long Beach
Long Beach’s inspection stages, in order. Do not cover work until the stage has passed (how inspections work).
- Footing and foundation inspection7
- Frame inspection7
- Combined residential inspections (all trades) for 1-2 family dwellings14
- How to schedule
- Online request; must be received by 3:00 p.m. the day prior14
- Re-inspection fee
- $145 / re-inspection to be paid before any additional inspection will occur9
Building without a permit in Long Beach
| Consequence | Applies to | As the city states it | Way to fix it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investigation fee LBMC § 18.06.070 | Work for which a permit is required, commenced without a permit7 | 100% of permit fee, minimum $482, in addition to the permit fee9 | Investigation, then permit issued for the work; investigation fee collected whether or not permit is issued7 |
| Criminal penalty LBMC §§ 18.09.040, 18.09.060 | Violations of LBMC Title 187 | Subject to penalties as prescribed by law7 | – |
| Civil penalty | Code Enforcement administrative citations, incl. illegal garage conversions6 | Not exceeding $100 / $200 / $500 per violation within one year; up to $1,000 for illegal garage conversions6 | – |
| Removal order LBMC §§ 18.09.030, 18.09.070 | Unpermitted structures7 | Prosecution to restrain, correct or abate, or require removal7 | – |
For how unpermitted work is usually legalized, see how to legalize unpermitted work.
Doing the work yourself (owner-builder)
- Homeowner may pull a building permit
- Yes16
- Owner and occupancy requirement
- Owner resided in the residence 12 months prior to completion of work17
- Sale or rental limits
- Used only twice in three years; work performed prior to sale17
- Affidavit or declaration
- Yes17
California's statewide owner-builder and licensing rules are on the California permit guide.
California rules that also apply in Long Beach
- Deadlines for permit decisions and inspections in California
- Contractor licensing in California
- Selling a home with unpermitted work in California
- Private plan review and inspections in California
Sources
- Permit CenterCity of Long Beach, Community Development Department, Building and Safety BureauChecked November 7, 2026
- Online PermittingCity of Long Beach, Community Development Department, Building and Safety BureauChecked November 7, 2026
- Building & Safety BureauCity of Long Beach, Community Development Department, Building and Safety BureauChecked November 7, 2026
- Permit Status / RecordsCity of Long Beach, Community Development Department, Building and Safety BureauChecked November 7, 2026
- Building InspectionCity of Long Beach, Community Development Department, Building and Safety BureauChecked November 7, 2026
- Code Enforcement FinesCity of Long Beach, Community Development Department, Code Enforcement BureauChecked November 7, 2026
- Ordinance No. ORD-25-0019 (amending and restating LBMC Title 18; Long Beach Building Standards Code)City of Long Beach, City Council (Office of the City Clerk)Checked November 7, 2026
- California Building Standards CodeCity of Long Beach, Community Development Department, Building and Safety BureauChecked November 6, 2026
- Building Plan Review & Permit FeesCity of Long Beach, Community Development Department, Building and Safety BureauEffective October 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Fee SchedulesCity of Long Beach, Community Development DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Electrical Permit & Plan Review FeesCity of Long Beach, Community Development Department, Building and Safety BureauEffective October 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Plumbing Permit & Plan Review FeesCity of Long Beach, Community Development Department, Building and Safety BureauEffective October 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Mechanical Permit & Plan Review FeesCity of Long Beach, Community Development Department, Building and Safety BureauEffective October 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Information Bulletin IB-037 Requesting Building Inspection ServicesCity of Long Beach, Community Development Department, Building and Safety BureauRevised January 24, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- Express PermitsCity of Long Beach, Community Development Department, Building and Safety BureauChecked November 7, 2026
- Building PermitsCity of Long Beach, Community Development Department, Building and Safety BureauChecked November 7, 2026
- Information Bulletin IB-029 Eligibility to Obtain a Construction PermitCity of Long Beach, Community Development Department, Building and Safety BureauRevised July 27, 2026Checked November 7, 2026