City of Arcadia

Arcadia states building permits are required for construction or renovation of most buildings and structures. The City specifically notes that almost anything constructed on or attached to the ground is considered a structure, including fences, walls over 18 inches high, antennas, and pools more than 18 inches deep. Separate electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits may also be required.

• Exempt One-story detached accessory buildings used as tool sheds, storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses when floor area does not exceed 120 square feet and roof height does not exceed 8 feet 6 inches above adjacent grade.
• Exempt Wood and wrought-iron fencing not over 6 feet in height.
• Exempt Walks and driveways on private property.
• Exempt Prefabricated swimming pools and ponds less than 18 inches deep.
• Exempt Painting, papering, and similar decorating work.
• Exempt Replacement of existing light fixtures, switches, and receptacles.
• Exempt Electrical wiring operating at less than 25 volts and not capable of supplying more than 50 watts of energy.
• Exempt Repairing leaks in plumbing pipes, valves, or fixtures, and stopping leaks in drains, sewers, and vents.
• Exempt Replacement of component parts or repair of built-in or permanently installed appliances, compressors, and motors.
• Exempt Portable heating, ventilation, and cooling equipment.

Note: Arcadia warns that zoning rules still apply even when a building permit is not required, especially for accessory structures, fencing, and paved areas. Arcadia also publishes that larger projects can trigger additional rules, including its "Rebuild" ordinance when more than 50% of exterior walls are removed.

Building code

Arcadia states it enforces Article VIII, sections 8010-8991 of the Arcadia Municipal Code and the 2022 California Building, Residential, Mechanical, Plumbing, Fire, Electrical, Green Building Standards, and Energy Codes, with local administrative and technical amendments.

Permit validity

Arcadia FAQ states a building permit is valid for 1 year from issuance and expires if work stops for more than 180 days after work begins. Arcadia also states plan review expires if the permit is not obtained within 180 days from plan submittal; one written extension may be granted for an unexpired plan review, and renewal fees apply if it expires.

Owner-builder

State law requires the permit to be pulled by either a licensed contractor or the property owner. Arcadia allows a friend or relative to apply with a letter of authorization from the owner. Arcadia's owner-builder declaration states the City will not issue a permit until the owner-builder form is completed and returned, and it warns that the owner-builder becomes legally and financially responsible for the work and may become an employer under state and federal law if using unlicensed labor.

Contractor requirements

Arcadia requires proof of a current California contractor license, a City of Arcadia business license, and workers' compensation documentation. The owner-builder declaration also states contractors must be licensed and bonded under California law and must write their license number on the permit.

1. 01
   Confirm zoning and project feasibility with the Planning Division before formal submittal. Arcadia instructs applicants to start at the Planning counter with a preliminary site/plot plan showing the parcel, streets, and existing/proposed structures.
2. 02
   Prepare the submittal package. For general plan check, Arcadia publishes requirements for two complete plan sets and two sets of supporting documents, plus a letter-size site plan and one folded full-size floor plan for the Los Angeles County Assessor. Depending on the project, supporting materials can include structural calculations, soils or hydrology reports, Title 24 documents, WELO materials, Planning approval letters, HOA-approved plans, arborist/tree-protection documents, Water Meter Clearance, and the OC-1 form.
3. 03
   Submit the building permit application and supporting plans. Current City pages direct applicants to Arcadia EDGE for permit applications and inspection requests; older FAQ and plan-check guidance still reference in-person counter submittals at City Hall, so applicants should confirm project-specific intake expectations with Building Services if needed.
4. 04
   Pay applicable plan review fees at submittal. Arcadia states plan review fees are based on fair market valuation, and the City routes plans to the relevant reviewing departments, typically Planning, Building Services, Engineering, Fire, and Public Works depending on the project.
5. 05
   Address correction comments and resubmit if required. Arcadia's AB 2234 page states each plan check application is valid for 180 days and includes up to three rounds of plan check review for residential development projects.
6. 06
   After approvals and outside-agency clearances or fee assessments are complete, pay remaining permit and related fees and obtain permit issuance.
7. 07
   During construction, request inspections through Arcadia EDGE. The City states inspection requests may be scheduled up to 7 days ahead, next-day inspections are available if requested by 4:30 p.m. the prior day, and applicants should call their assigned inspector between 7:45 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. on inspection day for arrival timing.

Typical processing time: Simple projects such as patio covers and fences may be checked immediately or within 1 to 2 days; more complex projects are published at 15 to 30 working days.

Source: City of Arcadia Development Services Department, Building Services Division ↗

Arcadia states plan review fees must be paid at the time of plan submittal. The City also notes other fees may apply depending on scope, including developer fees such as school, parkland, and fire fees.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective July 1, 2024) before budgeting.

• Building inspections are requested online through Arcadia EDGE at (online)
• (626) 574-5417 (phone)
• (626) 574-5418 (phone)
• (626) 574-5449 (phone)
• (626) 574-5416 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Requests can be made up to 7 days in advance. Next-day inspections are available if requested by 4:30 p.m.

Inspection hours

Requests can be made up to 7 days in advance. Next-day inspections are available if requested by 4:30 p.m. the prior day. Inspector office hours posted by Building Services are Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., with Friday afternoon office hours 4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on open Fridays.

Typical sequence: Arcadia states inspections are required whenever the next phase of work will conceal the phase just completed. The permit inspection card identifies required stages, and the applicant is responsible for calling for each phase and for the final inspection.