City of Bell Gardens

Bell Gardens says building permits are required to build, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert, or demolish any building or structure, and are also required for most plumbing, mechanical, and electrical improvements.

• Exempt One-story detached accessory buildings used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, shade structures, and similar uses, provided gross floor area does not exceed 120 square feet, height does not exceed 12 feet, and maximum roof projection does not exceed 24 inches
• Exempt Tanks not storing hazardous material, within the dimensional limits published by Los Angeles County Title 26 Section 106.3
• Exempt Retaining walls that meet the adopted county code exemption conditions
• Exempt Platforms, walks, and driveways that meet the adopted county code exemption conditions
• Exempt Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
• Exempt Prefabricated swimming pools meeting the adopted county code exemption conditions, not including required barriers or alarms
• Exempt Swings and other playground equipment detached from dwellings
• Exempt Minor electrical permit exemptions published by Los Angeles County, such as replacement of lamps, switches, receptacles, sockets, and connection of portable motors or appliances to permanently installed receptacles

Note: Bell Gardens locally modifies the usual county fence exemption. Its municipal code states fences not over 2 feet in height are exempt, which is much narrower than the Los Angeles County Title 26 webpage that otherwise lists certain fences up to 6 feet as exempt. Bell Gardens also notes separate permits may still be required for grading, photovoltaic systems, and fire sprinklers, and permit exemptions never authorize work that violates zoning, fire, utility, or other applicable laws.

Permit validity

Bell Gardens publicly posts that plan check applications expire six months from the application date. One written extension may be requested before expiration if the applicant shows circumstances beyond their control, and the extension fee is 25 percent of the plan check fee. I did not locate a city-posted page stating the current expiration rule for an issued building permit, so applicants should confirm that directly with Building and Safety before filing.

Owner-builder

Bell Gardens expressly states that non-licensed owner-builders cannot use SolarAPP+ and instead must apply for a building permit through regular plan check. Separately, CSLB states owner-builders are exempt from licensure only in limited circumstances, such as doing the work themselves or through their own employees on property not intended for sale, or using properly licensed subcontractors.

Contractor requirements

Bell Gardens' SolarAPP+ page limits that portal to licensed contractors/installers and also tells registrants to upload valid City of Bell Gardens licensing or call for business-license information. CSLB states that in California anyone contracting for work that requires a building permit or is valued at $1,000 or more in combined labor and materials must hold a current CSLB license; CSLB also separately publishes the longstanding small-job exemption discussion for work under $500, so applicants and contractors should verify the currently applicable licensing threshold directly with CSLB if they are near either amount.

Source: City of Bell Gardens Community Development Department, Building and Safety Division ↗

1. 01
   Confirm zoning and any planning entitlement requirements first. Bell Gardens Planning says it handles zoning, land use, site plan review, variances, CUPs, maps, and related development standards, and it accepts planning applications online through Citizenserve.
2. 02
   Prepare the plan check package. Building and Safety says plan checks are required for all new residential, commercial, and industrial structures and developments; minor home improvements and tenant improvements may be reviewed over the counter if time permits.
3. 03
   Submit the plan check application in person during Building and Safety intake hours. The city publishes plan check submittal hours of Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
4. 04
   Obtain any required planning and outside-agency clearances. Bell Gardens' PADUPP workflow shows Planning review first for applicable projects, then Building plan check, then review by relevant city departments; it also states the applicant is responsible for required Los Angeles County Fire Department submissions.
5. 05
   Pay applicable permit, plan check, and impact fees. The city states development impact fees apply to new residential, commercial, and industrial development before building permit issuance, and building-related fees are set by City Council resolution.
6. 06
   Respond to corrections and secure permit issuance. Building and Safety permit issuance hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
7. 07
   Schedule inspections as the work progresses. The city publishes inspection hours of Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For SolarAPP+ permits, Bell Gardens instructs applicants to call (562) 806-7700 the business day before the requested inspection and speak with a live person.

Typical processing time: Bell Gardens does not publish a general standard plan-check turnaround on the pages reviewed. For eligible SolarAPP+ projects, the city says permits are immediately electronically issued after payment and that the permit number email is sent within 24 business hours.

Source: City of Bell Gardens Community Development Department, Building and Safety Division ↗

Building and Safety states permits for eligible SolarAPP+ projects are electronically issued once all applicable fees are paid. Bell Gardens also states development impact fees are due before issuance of a building permit for covered new development.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

• Bell Gardens' main Building and Safety page publishes inspection hours but not a general online inspection portal. The city-published SolarAPP+ instructions require applicants to call (562) 806-7700 the business day before the requested inspection, speak to a live person, and provide the permit number, inspection type, address, site contact name, and contact phone number. SolarAPP+ page (online)
• Building and Safety page (online)
• (562) 806-7700 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

on the business day before the requested inspection, and same-day morning/afternoon window estimates may be requested between 8:30 a.m. The city-published SolarAPP+ instructions require applicants to call (562) 806-7700 the business day before the requested inspection, speak to a live person, and provide the permit number, inspection type, address, site contact name, and contact phone number.

Inspection hours

Inspections are conducted Monday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For SolarAPP+ permits, Bell Gardens says call-ins are accepted at (562) 806-7700 from 7:30 a.m. to 5:59 p.m. on the business day before the requested inspection, and same-day morning/afternoon window estimates may be requested between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.

Time windows

Inspections are conducted Monday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For SolarAPP+ permits, Bell Gardens says call-ins are accepted at (562) 806-7700 from 7:30 a.m. to 5:59 p.m. on the business day before the requested inspection, and same-day morning/afternoon window estimates may be requested between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.

Typical sequence: Bell Gardens does not publish a general citywide inspection card or sequence on the pages reviewed. The city does state that permits are inspected as work progresses and that SolarAPP+ projects require an inspection before release to SCE. For standard projects, the sequence will depend on the approved scope and typically follows the required stages shown on the approved plans and permit.