On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Avalon
Avalon Municipal Code Chapter 8-1 adopts the 2019 California Building Code and its Chapter 1 administrative provisions. That code requires a permit before constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, demolishing, or changing occupancy of a building or structure, or before installing or altering regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems. Avalon's planning page separately states its process applies to all new construction, remodels, and changes in use.
One-story detached accessory structures used as tool or storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses, if not over 120 square feet
Fences not over 7 feet high
Retaining walls not over 4 feet high unless supporting a surcharge or impounding certain liquids
Water tanks on grade not over 5,000 gallons and within the code height-to-width ratio
Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and not over a basement or story below
Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets and scenery
Certain shallow above-ground prefabricated pools accessory to Group R-3 occupancy
Swings and similar playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings
Minor electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing ordinary repairs listed in CBC Section 105.2, such as portable equipment, minor part replacement, leak stoppage, and clearing stoppages where pipes, valves, or fixtures are not replaced or rearranged
- Exempt One-story detached accessory structures used as tool or storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses, if not over 120 square feet
- Exempt Fences not over 7 feet high
- Exempt Retaining walls not over 4 feet high unless supporting a surcharge or impounding certain liquids
- Exempt Water tanks on grade not over 5,000 gallons and within the code height-to-width ratio
- Exempt Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and not over a basement or story below
- Exempt Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
- Exempt Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets and scenery
- Exempt Certain shallow above-ground prefabricated pools accessory to Group R-3 occupancy
- Exempt Swings and similar playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings
- Exempt Minor electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing ordinary repairs listed in CBC Section 105.2, such as portable equipment, minor part replacement, leak stoppage, and clearing stoppages where pipes, valves, or fixtures are not replaced or rearranged
Note: Permit exemptions do not authorize code violations or waive other required approvals. In Avalon, separate planning review, coastal or zoning compliance, utility approvals, sewer inspection requirements, impact fees, fire sprinkler triggers, and other local review can still apply even where a building permit exemption exists.
Required documents
- Completed application form
- project description
- street address or legal description
- project valuation
- signed application
- construction documents
- and other information required by the Building Official. Avalon's planning page specifically calls for site plan, elevations, floor plans, utility locations, trash storage, parking layout, and any accessory structures or features shown on plan sets.
- Building code
- Avalon Municipal Code Section 8-1.01 adopts the 2019 California Building Code, and Section 8-1.02 adopts CBC Chapter 1 administrative provisions for all state building standards in Title 8. As of the codified text available on March 21, 2026, I did not locate a newer Avalon code-adoption chapter on the official city code site.
- Owner-builder
- California CSLB warns owner-builders that signing a permit application as an owner-builder makes the owner legally responsible for the project, including worker injuries, unpaid subcontractors, and code compliance. Avalon's public pages reviewed here do not publish a separate city-specific owner-builder packet.
- Contractor requirements
- CSLB states that anyone contracting for work that requires a building permit, uses employees, or is valued at $1,000 or more for labor and materials must hold a current California contractor license. Avalon's public pages reviewed here do not publish a different local threshold.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: The city's published planning application page says completeness review may take up to 30 days. I did not locate a separate city-published turnaround time for straight building permit issuance.
- 01 Confirm whether planning review is needed first. Avalon says its planning application process applies to all new construction, remodels of existing structures, and changes in conditions of use.
- 02 Prepare the application package. The city says applications must identify the project and include completed application forms, 2 sets of printed 11-by-17 plans, 1 full-size plan set at one-fourth-inch or one-eighth-inch scale, a photo of the existing property, and 1 electronic PDF plan set.
- 03 Submit through the city's online forms, at the Planning/Building window at City Hall, or by mail to P.O. Box 707, Avalon, CA 90704.
- 04 Respond to completeness review and any corrections. Avalon says review for completeness may take up to 30 days, and staff will notify the applicant when the application is complete and when the Planning Commission will review it, within 30 days.
- 05 Pay permit, plan check, and any impact fees. Avalon's development impact fee page says impact fees are usually paid before issuance of the building permit and are separate from application and permit fees.
- 06 After issuance, keep the permit on site, complete required inspections, and obtain final approval or a certificate of occupancy where applicable.
Typical processing time: The city's published planning application page says completeness review may take up to 30 days. I did not locate a separate city-published turnaround time for straight building permit issuance.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Avalon building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$107 minimum published building permit charge for a valuation from $0 to $700, consisting of a $46 issuance fee plus $61 permit fee, plus applicable state surcharges
02
Plan check fee
1.5 times the building permit fee, with a $214 minimum; duplicate plan review is 70% of the plan check fee and permit extensions are 25% of the plan check fee
03
Permit fee formula
valuation-based building permit schedule. The FY 2024-25 published schedule starts at $61 for $0 to $700 valuation and then increases by bracket, with per-$1,000 increments above each threshold; separate issuance fees and surcharges apply.
04
Reinspection fee
Work commencing before permit issuance is charged at 2 times the permit fee, with a $100 minimum violation fee; miscellaneous site inspection is $596; inspection outside business hours is $139 per hour; other inspection is $139 per hour
Avalon's general online payment page says credit-card payments carry a 3% convenience fee and eCheck/ACH has no fee, but that page does not currently list building permits among the online payment categories. Building permit payment handling should be confirmed with Planning & Building at submittal.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Avalon says building inspections may be scheduled at the department window, by email through Donna Romo at dromo@cityofavalon.com or dromo@cityofavalon.gov, or by phone at 310-510-0220 ext. 116. Department page (online)
- dromo@cityofavalon.com (email)
- dromo@cityofavalon.gov (email)
- 310-510-0220 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- The city pages reviewed here do not publish AM/PM inspection windows or same-day cutoff times.
- Inspection hours
- Department office hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The city pages reviewed here do not publish AM/PM inspection windows or same-day cutoff times.
- Time windows
- Department office hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The city pages reviewed here do not publish AM/PM inspection windows or same-day cutoff times.
Typical sequence: Avalon's public pages reviewed here do not publish a city-specific inspection card sequence. For most projects, expect inspections tied to the approved scope, typically progressing through site or foundation stages, framing and rough trades, specialty systems where applicable, and final inspection or certificate of occupancy.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Avalon permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Avalon, CA? ▸
Avalon Municipal Code Chapter 8-1 adopts the 2019 California Building Code and its Chapter 1 administrative provisions. That code requires a permit before constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, demolishing, or changing occupancy of a building or structure, or before installing or altering regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems. Avalon's planning page separately states its process applies to all new construction, remodels, and changes in use.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Avalon, CA? ▸
Building permit fees in Avalon, CA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $107 minimum published building permit charge for a valuation from $0 to $700, consisting of a $46 issuance fee plus $61 permit fee, plus applicable state surcharges. Fees are calculated as: valuation-based building permit schedule. The FY 2024-25 published schedule starts at $61 for $0 to $700 valuation and then increases by bracket, with per-$1,000 increments above each threshold; separate issuance fees and surcharges apply.. Plan check fee: 1.5 times the building permit fee, with a $214 minimum; duplicate plan review is 70% of the plan check fee and permit extensions are 25% of the plan check fee.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Avalon, CA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Avalon, CA, follow these steps: 1. Confirm whether planning review is needed first. Avalon says its planning application process applies to all new construction, remodels of existing structures, and changes in conditions of use. 2. Prepare the application package. The city says applications must identify the project and include completed application forms, 2 sets of printed 11-by-17 plans, 1 full-size plan set at one-fourth-inch or one-eighth-inch scale, a photo of the existing property, and 1 electronic PDF plan set. 3. Submit through the city's online forms, at the Planning/Building window at City Hall, or by mail to P.O. Box 707, Avalon, CA 90704. 4. Respond to completeness review and any corrections. Avalon says review for completeness may take up to 30 days, and staff will notify the applicant when the application is complete and when the Planning Commission will review it, within 30 days. 5. Pay permit, plan check, and any impact fees. Avalon's development impact fee page says impact fees are usually paid before issuance of the building permit and are separate from application and permit fees. 6. After issuance, keep the permit on site, complete required inspections, and obtain final approval or a certificate of occupancy where applicable.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Avalon, CA? ▸
Building permit processing times in Avalon, CA typically run The city's published planning application page says completeness review may take up to 30 days. I did not locate a separate city-published turnaround time for straight building permit issuance.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Avalon, CA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Avalon, CA. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures used as tool or storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses, if not over 120 square feet; Fences not over 7 feet high; Retaining walls not over 4 feet high unless supporting a surcharge or impounding certain liquids; Water tanks on grade not over 5,000 gallons and within the code height-to-width ratio; Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and not over a basement or story below; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work; Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets and scenery; Certain shallow above-ground prefabricated pools accessory to Group R-3 occupancy; Swings and similar playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings; Minor electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing ordinary repairs listed in CBC Section 105.2, such as portable equipment, minor part replacement, leak stoppage, and clearing stoppages where pipes, valves, or fixtures are not replaced or rearranged. Note: Permit exemptions do not authorize code violations or waive other required approvals. In Avalon, separate planning review, coastal or zoning compliance, utility approvals, sewer inspection requirements, impact fees, fire sprinkler triggers, and other local review can still apply even where a building permit exemption exists. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Avalon, CA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Avalon, CA via: Avalon says building inspections may be scheduled at the department window, by email through Donna Romo at dromo@cityofavalon.com or dromo@cityofavalon.gov, or by phone at 310-510-0220 ext. 116. Department page, dromo@cityofavalon.com, dromo@cityofavalon.gov, 310-510-0220. The city pages reviewed here do not publish AM/PM inspection windows or same-day cutoff times..
last verified April 2026
source City of Avalon Planning & Building ↗
entry id permits/california/los-angeles/avalon
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Avalon Planning & Building before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.