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Building Permit Requirements
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Los Angeles building permits

Building permits in Los Angeles are issued by the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS)1. You can apply and request inspections online through permitla.lacitydbs.org2.

Last checked

On this page
  1. Building department contacts
  2. Do you need a permit in Los Angeles? Common projects
  3. Building codes in force in Los Angeles
  4. Los Angeles building permit fees
  5. How to get a building permit in Los Angeles
  6. Permit expiration and extensions
  7. Inspections in Los Angeles
  8. Building without a permit in Los Angeles
  9. Doing the work yourself (owner-builder)
  10. California rules that also apply in Los Angeles
  11. Sources

Building department contacts

Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS)1

Building permits

Phone
311 (within the City); (213) 473-3231 (outside Los Angeles)3
Address
201 N. Figueroa St. (Express Permit, Records, Plan Check) and 221 N. Figueroa St. (Inspection), Los Angeles, CA 90012
4
Inspections
Request online (LADBS Online Services, service=rfi) or via 311; one day in advance before 2 PM; inspections weekdays 7 AM-3:30 PM2

Los Angeles City Planning6

Zoning and planning

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: ladbsdoc.lacity.org2.

Do you need a permit in Los Angeles? Common projects

Each project below has its own page with Los Angeles's exact rule, the official wording, fees and inspections.

ProjectPermit needed?Key limit in the city rule
FenceDepends on size or scopeExempt up to this height: 10 feet, for fences other than masonry or concrete, and not pool barriers7
DeckGeneral rule only–
ShedDepends on size or scopeExempt up to this area: 120 square feet8
RoofDepends on size or scope–
PoolDepends on size or scopeExempt up to this area: 250 square feet7
Water heaterYesLike-for-like replacement exempt? No for owners/ordinary contractors; replacement of a defective water heater with an equivalent one (same gallons, BTU, vent capacity, vent not relocated/replaced) on a detached single-family dwelling by a Certified Licensed Contractor needs a Certificate of Compliance in lieu of a permit9

Building codes in force in Los Angeles

These are the model codes Los Angeles 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.

CodeTitle as adoptedModel editionEffective
International Building Code (IBC)Los Angeles Building Code (LABC), LAMC Ch. IX Art. 11–8
International Residential Code (IRC)Los Angeles Residential Code (LARC), LAMC Ch. IX Art. 1.51–8
International Existing Building Code (IEBC)Los Angeles Existing Building Code, LAMC Ch. IX Art. 1.21–8
Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC)Los Angeles Plumbing Code, LAMC Ch. IX Art. 41–8
Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC)Los Angeles Mechanical Code, LAMC Ch. IX Art. 51–8
National Electrical Code (NEC)Los Angeles Electrical Code, LAMC Ch. IX Art. 31202318
State codeLos Angeles Green Building Code, LAMC Ch. IX Art. 91–8

Adopted by: Los Angeles City Council, Ordinance No. 188797 (Council File 25-1217)1.

Los Angeles building permit fees

Fees come from the LAMC Section 91.107 (Fees) and Table No. 1-A10.

How valuation is set. Total value of all construction work (incl. painting, roofing, electrical, plumbing, fixed heating equipment)10.

Each line is worded as in Los Angeles’s schedule; formulas are not added up into a total (how permit fees work).

FeeTypeAs the schedule states it
Building permit feeBased on project valuationAs shown in Table No. 1-A for the total value of all construction work10
Combined building-mechanical permit (one- or two-family dwelling, accessory buildings, ADUs)Based on project valuationAs determined by Table 1-A.110
Plan check fee (buildings and structures)Plan review90% of the building permit fee (Table 1-A)10
Pool accessory to a one- or two-family dwelling (combined building-mechanical permit)Percent of the permit fee75% of the fee determined from Table 1-A10
Off-hours inspectionAfter-hours inspectionAverage about $100 per hour; travel fee of at least $300 may apply2
Credit card service feeTechnology surcharge2.7% service fee on credit card payments2

How to get a building permit in Los Angeles

  1. Zoning: verify the property is in the City of Los Angeles and check zoning in ZIMAS2
  2. Documentation: prepare documents; Express Permit for simple projects, Plan Check for complex ones2
  3. Apply for permit (Express Permit online/at counter, or submit plans for Plan Check)2
  4. Pay fees; permit issued2
  5. Partial inspections at each phase2
  6. Final inspection and, if applicable, Certificate of Occupancy2
Apply online
Yes: PermitLA (Express Permits) and ePlanLA (plan check)11
Over-the-counter permits
Express Permits (no plan check), e.g. same-size window/door replacement, re-roofing with Class A or B materials, kitchen/bath remodels, plumbing fixtures, rewiring outlets; Counter Plan Check same day2
Posting the permit
Inspection approvals recorded on the permit card posted on the job12

Permit expiration and extensions

How long a permit lasts
2 years from issuance; expires after 12 months if work not commenced or if suspended/abandoned 12 continuous months13
Extensions
Department or Board may extend for unusual construction difficulties13

Inspections in Los Angeles

Los Angeles’s inspection stages, in order. Do not cover work until the stage has passed (how inspections work).

  1. Foundations12
  2. Wood framing / ventilation equipment12
  3. Wall covering12
  4. Final12
How to schedule
Notify the Department the day before the inspection is desired12
Re-inspection fee
Assessed per LAMC 98.041212
After the final inspection
Certificate of Occupancy required before use/occupancy (issued without charge after final approvals)12

Building without a permit in Los Angeles

ConsequenceApplies toAs the city states itWay to fix it
Investigation fee LAMC § 98.0402(a); LAMC § 91.107.5.1Work commenced without a permit or application for inspection that violates LAMC Ch. IX Arts. 1-814Double the permit/inspection fee, minimum $40014Obtain the permit after a special investigation; investigation fee is in addition to regular fees and does not exempt from compliance or other penalties14
Removal order LAMC § 91.106.4.4.3Permitted work suspended 12 months or more (unfinished buildings)7New permit within 90 days of notice, or removal/demolition within 180 days7–
Criminal penalty LAMC § 91.103.2Knowingly procuring a building/grading permit without the owner's consent8Misdemeanor: fine up to $1,000 and/or up to 6 months in County Jail (unless the Code provides otherwise)15–

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
Yes (single-family dwelling e-permits: building, mechanical, electrical, plumbing)2
Homeowner electrical work
Conditional: homeowner electrical permit if resided in the house 12 months or more11
Homeowner plumbing work
Yes (via single-family dwelling e-permit)2
Owner and occupancy requirement
12 months residency (for homeowner electrical permit)11
Affidavit or declaration
Yes: Owner-Builder Declaration form completed by the property owner2

California's statewide owner-builder and licensing rules are on the California permit guide.

California rules that also apply in Los Angeles

Sources

  1. Ordinance No. 188797 (Council File 25-1217): amending LAMC Chapter IX to incorporate the 2025 California Building…City of Los Angeles, Office of the City Clerk (Council File 25-1217)Adopted December 24, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  2. Homeowner Step-By-Step | LADBSCity of Los Angeles, Department of Building and Safety (LADBS)Checked November 7, 2026
  3. Building & Safety | City Directory | lacity.govCity of Los Angeles (lacity.gov City Directory)Checked November 7, 2026
  4. Metro (Downtown) | LADBSCity of Los Angeles, Department of Building and Safety (LADBS)Checked November 6, 2026
  5. Planning, City | City Directory | lacity.govCity of Los Angeles (lacity.gov City Directory)Checked November 6, 2026
  6. Fences and Walls, Chapter 1A Zoning (form CP13-2075.1.A)City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles City PlanningRevised January 27, 2025Checked November 6, 2026
  7. SEC. 91.106. PERMITS. (LAMC Ch. IX, Art. 1, Div. 1)City of Los Angeles (Los Angeles Municipal Code, hosted by American Legal Publishing)Checked November 7, 2026
  8. SEC. 91.101. TITLE, PURPOSE, AND SCOPE. (LAMC Ch. IX, Art. 1, Div. 1)City of Los Angeles (Los Angeles Municipal Code, hosted by American Legal Publishing)Effective December 31, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  9. LAMC Ch. IX Art. 4 (Los Angeles Plumbing Code), Sec. 94.103.0 Permits and InspectionsCity of Los Angeles (Los Angeles Municipal Code, hosted by American Legal Publishing)Checked November 6, 2026
  10. SEC. 91.107. FEES. (LAMC Ch. IX, Art. 1, Div. 1)City of Los Angeles (Los Angeles Municipal Code, hosted by American Legal Publishing)Checked November 6, 2026
  11. Express Permits | LADBSCity of Los Angeles, Department of Building and Safety (LADBS)Checked November 7, 2026
  12. SEC. 91.109. CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY (page also renders SEC. 91.108 INSPECTION)City of Los Angeles (Los Angeles Municipal Code, hosted by American Legal Publishing)Checked November 7, 2026
  13. LAMC Ch. IX, Art. 8, Div. 6 Expiration and Revocation of Permits (SEC. 98.0602, 98.0603)City of Los Angeles (Los Angeles Municipal Code, hosted by American Legal Publishing)Effective January 23, 2023Checked November 7, 2026
  14. LAMC Ch. IX, Art. 8, Div. 4 (incl. SEC. 98.0402 Code Enforcement Costs Incurred)City of Los Angeles (Los Angeles Municipal Code, hosted by American Legal Publishing)Checked November 7, 2026
  15. LAMC Ch. I Art. 1, Sec. 11.00 Provisions Applicable to CodeCity of Los Angeles (Los Angeles Municipal Code, hosted by American Legal Publishing)Checked November 6, 2026