City of El Segundo

El Segundo enforces the California Building Standards Code as locally amended. Permits are generally required for construction, alteration, repair, demolition, grading, and regulated electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work unless specifically exempt. Starting work before permit issuance triggers an additional fee equal to 100% of the normal permit fee, or other amount determined by the Building Official.

• Exempt One-story detached accessory structures used as tool/storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses not exceeding 120 square feet
• Exempt Fences not over 6 feet high
• Exempt Block walls and concrete fences not over 3 feet 6 inches high under El Segundo's local amendment
• Exempt Oil derricks
• Exempt Retaining walls not over 4 feet high unless supporting a surcharge or impounding certain liquids
• Exempt Water tanks supported directly on grade if capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and height-to-diameter/width ratio does not exceed 2:1
• Exempt Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, not over a basement/story below, and not part of an accessible route
• Exempt Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
• Exempt Temporary motion-picture, television, and theater stage sets and scenery
• Exempt Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to Group R-3 occupancies that are less than 24 inches deep, do not exceed 5,000 gallons, and are installed entirely above ground
• Exempt Shade cloth structures for nursery/agricultural purposes, excluding service systems
• Exempt Swings and other playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings
• Exempt Window awnings meeting the code's support/projection limits
• Exempt Nonfixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches high

Note: Exemptions do not authorize work that violates other laws or ordinances. Separate permits may still be required for electrical, plumbing, mechanical, fire, zoning, public-works, accessibility, or utility work tied to the project.

Building code

Effective January 1, 2026, El Segundo adopted the 2025 California Building Code, Residential Code, Electrical Code, Mechanical Code, Plumbing Code, Fire Code, Energy Code, Green Building Standards Code, Existing Building Code, Historical Building Code, Administrative Code, Wildland-Urban Interface Code, plus the 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code and 2024 International Property Maintenance Code, all with local amendments. Applications deemed complete by December 31, 2025 may remain under the prior 2022 code cycle if they do not expire.

Permit validity

El Segundo publishes a permit-extension form. Local code states permit applications/plan check are deemed abandoned 12 months after filing unless extended in writing; permit-fee refunds are generally unavailable after 12 months from permit issuance. Inference: active permits should be monitored closely and extended before lapse rather than relying on refund rights.

Owner-builder

The City publishes a "Who Can Pull A Permit" handout and homeowner guidance. Where an owner-builder seeks the permit, expect owner acknowledgment/responsibility documentation consistent with California owner-builder rules.

Contractor requirements

Contractors performing work for which a CSLB license is required must hold the appropriate California contractor license; applicants should use the City's "Who Can Pull A Permit" handout and permit staff guidance to confirm who may sign and pull the permit for the specific scope.

1. 01
   Identify the permit type and gather the required plans and supporting documents. El Segundo publishes project-specific packets and a general document submittal list covering architectural, structural, MEP, grading, Title 24, soils/geology, and material specifications.
2. 02
   Submit the permit application or inquiry through the EZ Permit Hub. For work that qualifies as an express permit, the City states online express permits can be issued when the work does not require plan review.
3. 03
   Respond to plan-check comments and provide any additional approvals or documents required for the project type. The City publishes separate packets/handouts for new single-family, new commercial, additions, change of use, food establishments, block walls, and other categories.
4. 04
   Pay assessed permit and plan-check fees before permit issuance. El Segundo's Master Fee Schedule uses valuation-based building fees for many projects and separate trade-fee schedules for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits.
5. 05
   Schedule inspections during construction, then complete all final conditions before sign-off. For applicable projects, construction waste-management documentation must be provided before final inspection, and the City states it will not issue a CO or TCO without complete documentation.
6. 06
   If a permit or application needs more time, use the City's Request for Modification or Extension of Permit form. Local code states plan-check applications are deemed abandoned 12 months after filing unless extended, and refund rules apply separately.

Typical processing time: No general public turnaround time is posted on the current City pages reviewed. The 2025 code update notice directs applicants to contact Building and Safety for plan-check turnaround times. Express permits are available only for work that does not require plan review.

Source: City of El Segundo Community Development Department, Building and Safety Division ↗

Building fees follow the City's Master Fee Schedule and are collected as part of permit issuance/plan check. The City also publishes a refund policy: generally up to 80% of plan-check fees if review has not been performed and timely requested, and up to 80% of permit fees if work never commenced, no inspection occurred, and a timely abandonment request is approved.

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

• Planning & Building Safety inspection requests are listed on the City's contact page at 310-524-2379 and tperez@elsegundo.org. General permit staff contact is 310-524-2380 and permits@elsegundo.org. Permit records and related submissions run through EZ Permit Hub (online)
• City contact page (online)
• tperez@elsegundo.org (email)
• permits@elsegundo.org (email)
• 310-524-2379 (phone)
• 310-524-2380 (phone)

Time windows

No public inspection-window schedule was found on the current City pages reviewed.

Typical sequence: Typical sequence will depend on scope, but generally follows the adopted California codes and approved plans, such as foundation/setback verification for new construction, rough framing/MEP, insulation or other required in-progress inspections, and final inspection. El Segundo specifically requires licensed-surveyor setback certification for new construction before the first foundation inspection.