City of Hidden Hills

The City provides permit issuance and inspection services for new construction, additions, and remodels. California's building standards generally require a permit before a building or structure is erected, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, improved, removed, converted, or demolished unless specifically exempt.

• Exempt Hidden Hills does not publish a standalone local exemption handout on its permit pages.
• Exempt Based on the California Building Standards Code exemptions referenced by CSLB and the California Residential Code exemption framework, common baseline examples typically include small detached accessory structures within code size limits, some low fences, some retaining walls below code thresholds, some finish work such as painting or flooring, and limited minor repair work.

Note: - Exemptions do not authorize work that violates zoning, fire, floodplain, grading, wildland-urban interface, HOA, or other local requirements. - Hidden Hills states local amendments apply, and its 2025 construction and demolition site-control rules apply broadly to construction, grading, and demolition activity. - Because Hidden Hills does not post a project-type exemption list, applicants should confirm exemptions directly with Building and Safety before proceeding without a permit.

Building code

The City states it updates its Building and Fire Codes every three years as required by California and includes local amendments. The Municipal Code and uncodified ordinances should be checked for the current adopted Title 24 edition. Hidden Hills also separately adopts a fire code tied to Los Angeles County fire code provisions and local amendments. The Housing Element states the City's building codes are based on the California Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, Fire, and Electrical Codes.

Permit validity

Hidden Hills does not publish a local handout stating permit-expiration timing on its permit pages. California Building Standards Commission materials for the California code cycle state permit validity generally continues if work is commenced within 12 months after issuance, with written extensions allowed for up to 180 days each for justifiable cause. Confirm project-specific expiration terms with Hidden Hills Building and Safety.

Owner-builder

The City's public application materials do not publish a separate owner-builder handout. Under CSLB guidance, an owner-builder is generally exempt from licensure but assumes responsibility for the project and must either do the work personally, use employees, use properly licensed subcontractors, or contract with a licensed general contractor, subject to statutory limits.

Contractor requirements

The City's application form requires contractor name, license number, and license class. CSLB states that in California, contractors generally must hold a current CSLB license when the project requires a building permit, uses employee labor, or totals $1,000 or more in labor and materials.

1. 01
   Read the City's PDF submittal guidelines before uploading plans.
2. 02
   Create an account at the Hidden Hills Permit Center and verify the account by email.
3. 03
   Complete the online permit application and upload PDF plan documents.
4. 04
   Include project documents as applicable. The City specifically lists mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and structural plan sheets, structural calculations, Title 24 documents, geotechnical report, soils report, and HOA approval documents.
5. 05
   Pay plan check and/or permit fees online by credit card. The City states convenience fees apply.
6. 06
   Respond to correction comments until plans are complete. The City states permits are issued only after plans are complete and corrected as required.
7. 07
   Request inspections through the portal or with Building and Safety. The City requires inspection requests at least 24 hours in advance.

Typical processing time: No general processing-time estimate was found on the City's public permit pages.

Source: City of Hidden Hills Building and Safety/Planning Department ↗

The City states most fees can be paid by credit card through the permit portal and that convenience fees apply.

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

• Online through the permit portal (online)
• (818) 888-9281 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

- Requests must be made 24 hours in advance - Inspection hours: anytime after 11:00 a.m.

Inspection hours

- Counter and phone hours: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Monday through Friday - Inspection requests may be made from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. - Requests must be made 24 hours in advance - Inspection hours: anytime after 11:00 a.m.

Time windows

- Counter and phone hours: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Monday through Friday - Inspection requests may be made from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. - Requests must be made 24 hours in advance - Inspection hours: anytime after 11:00 a.m.

Typical sequence: - The City states inspections occur during construction through final inspection. - Based on the City's residential checklist and standard California practice, a typical sequence may include foundation/footing, rough framing and rough MEP work, any required grading or soils-related signoffs, and final inspection.