City of Lawndale

Lawndale requires permits for major projects, fixture swap-outs, general repair, demolition, remodels, new construction, additions, roof alterations, door/window replacement, solar PV installation, garage door work, tenant improvements, fire sprinklers, swimming pools, major electrical/plumbing/mechanical work, sewer work, grading over 50 cubic yards, and specified planning items such as fences, flatwork, sheds, and signs.

• Exempt Painting interior or exterior walls, except exterior paint for businesses in the Hawthorne Boulevard Specific Plan area requires prior City approval
• Exempt Flooring changes that do not involve breaking the floor slab
• Exempt Replacement of portable electrical equipment
• Exempt Portable heating, cooling, and ventilation devices
• Exempt Non-fixed and movable fixtures, cases, and racks
• Exempt Installation of radio or television transmission equipment such as satellite dishes and antennas
• Exempt Replacing counters or cabinets not connected to electrical, mechanical, or plumbing systems, and not altering room configuration
• Exempt Non-fixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters, and partitions not exceeding 5 feet 9 inches in height
• Exempt Low-energy power, control, and signal circuits not integral to an appliance, limited to sources rated no more than 30 volts and 1,000 volt-amperes
• Exempt Electrical wiring, devices, appliances, or equipment operating below 25 volts and not capable of supplying more than 50 watts
• Exempt Repair or replacement of an existing fence or wall only when it stays within height limits, affects less than 25% of the straight-line horizontal length of the segment in any 12-month period, and uses the same materials and style
• Exempt Papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work where disabled-access requirements do not apply
• Exempt Temporary decorative lighting
• Exempt Private telephone, intercom, sound, and communication systems within the City's stated value/voltage thresholds

Note: Lawndale states that permit exemptions do not authorize work that violates building codes, zoning regulations, or other applicable laws and ordinances.

Building code

As of March 21, 2026, the posted adopted ordinance is Ordinance No. 1193-22, which adopts the 2022 Los Angeles County Building, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Residential, and Existing Building Codes plus the 2022 California Green Building Standards Code. Lawndale's Building & Safety page also announces that the LA County 2025 Building Code becomes effective on April 2, 2026.

Permit validity

Building permits are valid for one year if work has not started, or six months from the last successful inspection once work has started. Up to two six-month extensions are available by fee. Planning permits are generally valid for six months.

Owner-builder

Owner-builders may pull building permits only if the property is their primary residence and they have occupied it for at least twelve months before completion of the work. They must provide ID, a recent utility bill in their name at the subject address, and an Owner-Builder Declaration form.

Contractor requirements

Building permits may be issued to CSLB-licensed contractors. Contractors must provide a valid contractor license, ID, active City of Lawndale business license, workers' compensation documentation, and a Licensed Contractor Declaration; authorized permit runners need a notarized authorization letter and ID.

1. 01
   Confirm the property is inside Lawndale city limits and determine whether the work is on private property or in the public right-of-way; right-of-way work goes through Public Works instead of the standard building permit track.
2. 02
   Determine whether the project needs planning approval and plans before permit issuance. Lawndale requires both Planning and Building & Safety approval for additions, remodels, wall changes, demolitions, new construction, conversions, legalization work, tenant improvements, occupancy changes, and similar projects.
3. 03
   Complete the correct permit application and assemble supporting documents. For building plan check, include square footage, scope of work, construction type, construction cost, and required plans/calculations; door and window replacement applications also require schedules.
4. 04
   Submit by email to permits@lawndaleca.gov, through the City's Microsoft Forms submittal form, or in person at City Hall. If submitting physical plans, the City asks for three 24"x36" plan sets and one 11"x17" reduced set.
5. 05
   Pay permit and plan-check fees. Emailed applicants can request an online card invoice through Converge; in-person and mailed payments are also accepted.
6. 06
   If plan review is required, Planning review starts first for dual-review projects, then Building & Safety / LA County plan check reviews the plans and issues correction comments as needed. Additional outside-agency clearances may be required before permit issuance.
7. 07
   After permit issuance, schedule required inspections and wait for staff confirmation before proceeding. For active building permits, the detailed inspection page says to call (310) 973-3237 and schedule at least two weeks ahead; planning inspections are scheduled through (310) 973-3230.

Typical processing time: Lawndale does not post a universal permit turnaround time. The City says email submissions generally receive a response in 1-2 business days, plan-review timelines vary by scope/workload/completeness, and building inspections should be requested at least two weeks in advance.

Source: City of Lawndale Community Development Department, Building & Safety ↗

Accepted payment methods include money orders, credit/debit cards, checks, cashier's checks, and cash. Mailed payments go to City Hall. Emailed applicants may request an online Converge invoice for card payment. The City says it does not accept payments over the phone.

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

• Online inspection request form (online)
• (310) 973-3236 (phone)
• (310) 973-3230 (phone)
• (310) 973-3237 (phone)
• (310) 973-3260 (phone)

Inspection hours

Building inspections Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; planning inspections Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; construction hours are Monday-Friday 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and no work on Sundays or City-observed holidays.

Time windows

Building inspections Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; planning inspections Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; construction hours are Monday-Friday 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and no work on Sundays or City-observed holidays.

Typical sequence: After permit issuance, request inspection, wait for staff confirmation, complete rough/trade inspections as applicable, then obtain final inspection. The City notes planning inspections cover fences, sheds, flatwork, front-yard hardscape/landscape, and final project elements; building inspections cover code-regulated work such as structural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, grading, roofing, sewer, and solar PV work.