On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Inglewood
Inglewood requires a permit whenever a structure or building is altered, constructed, converted, demolished, enlarged, erected, improved, moved, or repaired. Under Inglewood Municipal Code Chapter 11, a permit is also required before constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, demolishing, changing occupancy, or installing/altering regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems.
One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses if not over 120 square feet and not over 7 feet high; Inglewood's local amendment also allows certain temporary, portable, readily movable structures up to 120 square feet and 10 feet high if setback, utility, and spacing conditions are met
Painting, papering, carpeting, and similar finish work
Firework stands
No more than two construction trailers per permitted construction jobsite
- Exempt One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses if not over 120 square feet and not over 7 feet high; Inglewood's local amendment also allows certain temporary, portable, readily movable structures up to 120 square feet and 10 feet high if setback, utility, and spacing conditions are met
- Exempt Painting, papering, carpeting, and similar finish work
- Exempt Firework stands
- Exempt No more than two construction trailers per permitted construction jobsite
Note: Inglewood's codified amendment expressly warns that permit exemptions do not authorize work that violates the building code or any other city law. Other CBC Section 105.2 exemptions may still apply, but the local code section reviewed only expressly amends and republishes certain items; confirm borderline exempt scopes with Building Safety before proceeding. Separate planning, public works, fire, zoning, right-of-way, or utility approvals may still be required even if a building permit is not.
Required documents
- Building permit application
- one PDF drawing set including all disciplines when plan check is required
- separate PDF supporting documents such as structural calculations, soils/geotechnical reports, truss calculations, energy calculations, construction mitigation plan, and special inspection forms as applicable
- response letter and clouded revisions for resubmittals
- professional electronic seals/signatures where required
- Planning project number for most projects.
- Building code
- There is a source conflict. Inglewood Municipal Code Article 2 currently still shows adoption of the 2019 California Building Code by reference (Ord. 20-05), but recent 2025 city Building Safety handouts for scopes such as window replacement and temporary structures cite the 2022 California code cycle and current local handouts appear to operate on that basis. Confirm the currently enforced code set with Building Safety for any live filing.
- Permit validity
- The city handouts reviewed do not publish a local expiration summary. Inglewood's codified Chapter 11 adopts the California Building Code by reference and does not appear to amend CBC Section 105.5 in the cited section, so permit expiration likely follows the CBC default rule: expiration if work does not start within 180 days of issuance, or if work is suspended/abandoned for 180 days, subject to extensions from the Building Official. Verify with Building Safety before relying on this.
- Owner-builder
- Inglewood links applicants to the California Contractors State License Board. Under CSLB owner-builder guidance, a person signing as owner-builder assumes responsibility for the entire project, including taxes, workers' compensation, subcontractor management, and legal liability.
- Contractor requirements
- City materials state the contractor schedules permit issuance after RTI, and the city links directly to CSLB resources. In California, contractor licensing rules are state-law driven; use a properly licensed California contractor when the work requires licensure, and be prepared to provide contractor/license information in the permit process. Verify project-specific licensing/classification with CSLB and Inglewood Building Safety.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Intake acceptance/payment instructions are usually issued within about 48 hours after submittal acceptance; the city says most projects are expected to be approved within three review cycles. No universal total permit turnaround time is posted.
- 01 Confirm scope and permit need with Building Safety, and check whether Planning review is required. Inglewood states most projects need a Planning project number before Building Safety submittal.
- 02 If required, contact the Planning Division at (310) 412-5230 and obtain the Planning project number.
- 03 Create an ACA account, log in, choose Building, and start a new application.
- 04 Complete the application and upload the required PDF plan set and supporting documents such as structural calculations, energy calculations, soils/geotechnical reports, and special inspection forms as applicable.
- 05 Staff performs an intake review. If accepted, the city says plan check payment instructions are usually emailed within about 48 hours.
- 06 Pay plan check fees. Inglewood also offers expedited plan check at 1.5 times the permit fee.
- 07 Respond to correction notices and resubmit complete revised packages if needed. The city says most projects are expected to be approved within three review cycles, and additional review fees apply after the third review.
- 08 After plan check clearance, review the Pending Requirements notice in ACA, clear outside-agency or departmental conditions, then wait for the Ready-to-Issue notice.
- 09 After RTI, schedule the permit issuance/payment appointment if required, pay remaining fees, obtain the permit, start work, and request inspections through the city's online inspection tools.
Typical processing time: Intake acceptance/payment instructions are usually issued within about 48 hours after submittal acceptance; the city says most projects are expected to be approved within three review cycles. No universal total permit turnaround time is posted.
Source: City of Inglewood Development Services Department, Building Safety Division ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Inglewood building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Plan check fee
85% of total permit fee for all permit types. Expedited plan check is 1.5 times total permit fee. Additional plan reviews after changes or after the third review are $171 per hour minimum one hour.
02
Permit fee formula
Mixed. Building and fire code permit fees are primarily valuation-based using ICC Building Valuation Data and a California regional cost modifier; many miscellaneous, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, sewer, grading, and presale items use flat per-item or per-unit fees.
03
Trade permit fee
Mixed. Building and fire code permit fees are primarily valuation-based using ICC Building Valuation Data and a California regional cost modifier; many miscellaneous, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, sewer, grading, and presale items use flat per-item or per-unit fees.
04
Reinspection fee
Reinspection $45 each; emergency inspections are $171 per hour with minimum-hour rules; if construction starts before permit issuance, the city says the project will be penalized and charged double permit fees.
The city says plan check fees are paid online after intake acceptance. After RTI, the contractor schedules an appointment to pay all remaining fees and obtain permits. Some outside-agency fees are paid separately, including LA County Fire, school fees where applicable, Public Works/C&D deposit matters, and county sewer connection fees.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Online inspection requests through OpenGov at (online)
- the city's inspection procedure also states inspection requests are made online via the city website and provides Building Safety forms at (online)
- buildingsafety@cityofinglewood.org (email)
- (310) 412-5294 (phone)
- (310) 412-4248 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Inspector office hours are Monday through Thursday 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and every other Friday 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. The general Building Safety counter hours posted on the city page are Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with City Hall closed on alternating Fridays.
- Time windows
- Inspector office hours are Monday through Thursday 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and every other Friday 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. The general Building Safety counter hours posted on the city page are Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with City Hall closed on alternating Fridays.
Typical sequence: Varies by permit scope. Typical building/combination sequences generally follow foundation/footing, rough framing and rough MEP inspections, insulation or lath/drywall when applicable, and final inspection. Applicants should follow the job-specific approved inspection card and correction notices.
Source: City of Inglewood Development Services Department, Building Safety Division ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Inglewood permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Inglewood, CA? ▸
Inglewood requires a permit whenever a structure or building is altered, constructed, converted, demolished, enlarged, erected, improved, moved, or repaired. Under Inglewood Municipal Code Chapter 11, a permit is also required before constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, demolishing, changing occupancy, or installing/altering regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Inglewood, CA? ▸
Building permit fees in Inglewood, CA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Mixed. Building and fire code permit fees are primarily valuation-based using ICC Building Valuation Data and a California regional cost modifier; many miscellaneous, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, sewer, grading, and presale items use flat per-item or per-unit fees.. Plan check fee: 85% of total permit fee for all permit types. Expedited plan check is 1.5 times total permit fee. Additional plan reviews after changes or after the third review are $171 per hour minimum one hour..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Inglewood, CA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Inglewood, CA, follow these steps: 1. Confirm scope and permit need with Building Safety, and check whether Planning review is required. Inglewood states most projects need a Planning project number before Building Safety submittal. 2. If required, contact the Planning Division at (310) 412-5230 and obtain the Planning project number. 3. Create an ACA account, log in, choose Building, and start a new application. 4. Complete the application and upload the required PDF plan set and supporting documents such as structural calculations, energy calculations, soils/geotechnical reports, and special inspection forms as applicable. 5. Staff performs an intake review. If accepted, the city says plan check payment instructions are usually emailed within about 48 hours. 6. Pay plan check fees. Inglewood also offers expedited plan check at 1.5 times the permit fee. 7. Respond to correction notices and resubmit complete revised packages if needed. The city says most projects are expected to be approved within three review cycles, and additional review fees apply after the third review. 8. After plan check clearance, review the Pending Requirements notice in ACA, clear outside-agency or departmental conditions, then wait for the Ready-to-Issue notice. 9. After RTI, schedule the permit issuance/payment appointment if required, pay remaining fees, obtain the permit, start work, and request inspections through the city's online inspection tools.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Inglewood, CA? ▸
Building permit processing times in Inglewood, CA typically run Intake acceptance/payment instructions are usually issued within about 48 hours after submittal acceptance; the city says most projects are expected to be approved within three review cycles. No universal total permit turnaround time is posted.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Inglewood, CA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Inglewood, CA. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses if not over 120 square feet and not over 7 feet high; Inglewood's local amendment also allows certain temporary, portable, readily movable structures up to 120 square feet and 10 feet high if setback, utility, and spacing conditions are met; Painting, papering, carpeting, and similar finish work; Firework stands; No more than two construction trailers per permitted construction jobsite. Note: Inglewood's codified amendment expressly warns that permit exemptions do not authorize work that violates the building code or any other city law. Other CBC Section 105.2 exemptions may still apply, but the local code section reviewed only expressly amends and republishes certain items; confirm borderline exempt scopes with Building Safety before proceeding. Separate planning, public works, fire, zoning, right-of-way, or utility approvals may still be required even if a building permit is not. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Inglewood, CA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Inglewood, CA via: Online inspection requests through OpenGov at, the city's inspection procedure also states inspection requests are made online via the city website and provides Building Safety forms at, buildingsafety@cityofinglewood.org, (310) 412-5294, (310) 412-4248.
last verified April 2026
source City of Inglewood Development Services Department, Building Safety Division ↗
entry id permits/california/los-angeles/inglewood
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Inglewood Development Services Department, Building Safety Division before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.