City of Downey

Any owner or authorized agent intending to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change occupancy of a building or structure, or install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems, must first apply for and obtain required permits. Downey also lists common permit-triggering work such as ADUs, tenant improvements, reroofs, decks, patios, fences over 42 inches, fireplaces, pools, retaining walls, remodels, panel changes, HVAC work, repipes, water heaters, and grading over 50 cubic yards or affecting drainage.

• Exempt One-story detached accessory buildings used as tool/storage sheds, playhouses, shade structures, and similar uses not over 120 square feet
• Exempt Walls or fences under 42 inches in height
• Exempt Retaining walls not over 4 feet high unless supporting a surcharge or impounding specified liquids
• Exempt New or replaced sidewalks, platforms, decks, and driveways under 800 square feet if they do not disturb additional area and maintain original line, grade, hydraulic capacity, and purpose
• Exempt Above-ground prefabricated swimming pools accessory to one- and two-family or Group R-3 occupancies that are under 24 inches deep and not over 5,000 gallons
• Exempt Shade cloth structures for nursery or agricultural purposes, excluding service systems
• Exempt Swings, playground equipment, and tree houses accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings
• Exempt Certain window awnings at one- and two-family, Group R-3, and Group U occupancies that project no more than 54 inches and need no additional support
• Exempt Replacement, repair, or overlay of 100 square feet or less of existing roof covering within any 12-month period on the same building
• Exempt Nonfixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters, and partitions up to 5 feet 9 inches high
• Exempt Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work where disabled access rules do not apply
• Exempt Minor repair work such as clearing stoppages and repairing leaks in valves, drains, waste, or vent piping where no replacement or rearrangement is required
• Exempt Portable heating or cooling units
• Exempt Appliance component replacement that does not alter original approval and still complies with the Mechanical Code
• Exempt Portable evaporative coolers
• Exempt Refrigerating equipment that is part of equipment already permitted under the Mechanical Code

Note: - Other city department or outside agency approvals may still be required even when a building permit is not - Exemption does not authorize work that violates the code or other laws - Grading exemption is limited to small cut/fill work under the city's stated thresholds

Building code

Downey applies the 2022 California Building Code and related 2022 California Residential, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Energy, Existing Building, Green Building Standards, and Fire Codes, as adopted and locally amended in the Downey Municipal Code.

Permit validity

- Plan check application is abandoned after 180 days unless pursued in good faith or extended; one written extension of up to 180 days may be granted - Issued building permit becomes invalid if work does not begin within 12 months, or if work is abandoned for 180 days after commencement - One written extension of up to 180 days may be granted upon request and payment of fees - Code-enforcement-related permits expire after 60 days unless extended

Owner-builder

Owner-builder permits may be issued only to an owner-builder residing in the single-family residence that is the subject of the permit. If an agent pulls the permit for an owner-builder, an authorized agent form is required before issuance.

Contractor requirements

Commercial, industrial, and multi-residential permits are issued only to California licensed contractors. Contractors pulling permits must provide license proof, workers' compensation documentation if applicable, and a current City of Downey business license.

1. 01
   Confirm whether the scope requires a permit. Downey generally requires permits for new construction, additions, alterations, repairs, change of occupancy/use, and regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, plumbing, and larger grading work.
2. 02
   Prepare the application and supporting materials. Use the City permit application form and the applicable residential, commercial, demolition, or other submittal handouts from the Building Handouts/Forms page.
3. 03
   Submit through the correct channel. Since January 1, 2025, plan submissions are required through the ACA online portal. Simple online permit issuance is also available through ACA for certain electrical panel change-outs up to 400 amps, water heater change-outs, AC/furnace change-outs, and residential solar permits reviewed by SolarAPP+. Other permits are still issued at the Building counter.
4. 04
   Respond to plan check comments if required, then pay the assessed permit and plan check fees. Fees are based largely on project valuation and any applicable city, state, or other agency charges.
5. 05
   After permit issuance, schedule inspections through ACA. Requests made by 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday are scheduled for the next business day; later requests move to the second business day.

Typical processing time: No general plan review turnaround is published on the reviewed Downey pages. Inspection requests submitted by 3:00 p.m. are targeted for the next business day.

Source: City of Downey Community Development, Building and Safety Division ↗

Downey states fees are estimates until determined by the Building and Safety Division. The reviewed fee pages do not publish separate card or processing-fee notes; contact the division for payment method details.

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

• Online: ACA portal at (online)
• (562) 904-7142 (phone)
• (562) 904-7141 (phone)

Inspection hours

- Inspection requests accepted Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for next-business-day inspections - Requests after 3:00 p.m. are scheduled for the second business day - FAQ page states inspections are generally performed Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. - Inspectors generally provide a 3-hour arrival window on the inspection morning

Time windows

- Inspection requests accepted Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for next-business-day inspections - Requests after 3:00 p.m. are scheduled for the second business day - FAQ page states inspections are generally performed Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. - Inspectors generally provide a 3-hour arrival window on the inspection morning

Typical sequence: - Foundation - Underground utilities as applicable - Roof sheathing or reroof sheathing, where applicable - Rough framing after rough MEP inspections - Insulation - Lath/gypsum board - Specialized inspections such as masonry or structural steel where applicable - Final electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and building inspections

Source: City of Downey Community Development, Building and Safety Division ↗