On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Montebello
Montebello states applicants should contact Building & Safety before starting any project to determine whether city approvals, permits, and inspections are required. The division issues building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and grading permits, and plan review covers new construction, renovations, additions, remodeling, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and structural work.
Important note: Montebello's public pages reviewed do not publish a standalone exempt-work list. The summary below is inferred from the standard 2022 California Building Code / California Residential Code permit exemptions that Montebello states it has adopted.
One-story detached accessory structures not more than 120 square feet, when not used as sleeping quarters and subject to code limits.
Fences not over 7 feet high.
Retaining walls not over 4 feet measured from bottom of footing to top of wall, unless supporting surcharge or impounding Class I, II, or III-A liquids.
Water tanks supported directly on grade if capacity and height remain within code exemption limits.
Sidewalks, driveways, and certain platforms or walks meeting code exemption limits.
Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and similar finish work.
Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to Group R-3 occupancy that are less than 24 inches deep and within code size limits.
Playground equipment, movable cases, and similar miscellaneous exempt items allowed by the adopted California codes.
- Exempt Important note: Montebello's public pages reviewed do not publish a standalone exempt-work list. The summary below is inferred from the standard 2022 California Building Code / California Residential Code permit exemptions that Montebello states it has adopted.
- Exempt One-story detached accessory structures not more than 120 square feet, when not used as sleeping quarters and subject to code limits.
- Exempt Fences not over 7 feet high.
- Exempt Retaining walls not over 4 feet measured from bottom of footing to top of wall, unless supporting surcharge or impounding Class I, II, or III-A liquids.
- Exempt Water tanks supported directly on grade if capacity and height remain within code exemption limits.
- Exempt Sidewalks, driveways, and certain platforms or walks meeting code exemption limits.
- Exempt Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and similar finish work.
- Exempt Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to Group R-3 occupancy that are less than 24 inches deep and within code size limits.
- Exempt Playground equipment, movable cases, and similar miscellaneous exempt items allowed by the adopted California codes.
Note: Even if work is exempt from a building permit, Montebello may still require zoning, planning, fire, floodplain, grading, public works, or separate electrical/plumbing/mechanical approvals. The city expressly instructs applicants to confirm permit requirements before starting work.
Required documents
- At minimum, the city's building permit application requests site address, scope of work, valuation, owner/applicant/tenant/contractor information, contractor license information, and plan-check details. For projects requiring plan review, Montebello requires electronic plans and project information such as owner name, job address, consultants, legal description, APN, scope, occupancy, construction type, square footage, sheet index, and plot plan. Trade-specific and engineered documents may be required depending on scope.
- Building code
- Montebello's plan review page states applicable codes are the 2022 California Building Standards Code (Title 24) and the Montebello Municipal Code. Title 15 of the Montebello Municipal Code includes adopted chapters for the California Building Code, Residential Code, Mechanical Code, Plumbing Code, Electrical Code, Green Building Standards Code, Energy Code, Fire Code, and related administrative code chapters.
- Permit validity
- The city's permit application states a permit becomes null and void if work is not commenced within, or becomes inactive for, 180 days.
- Owner-builder
- The permit applicant declaration allows the signer to certify that they are a California licensed contractor, the property owner, or authorized to act on behalf of the property owner.
- Contractor requirements
- The permit form requires contractor name, company, license number, expiration date, and classification.
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Confirm whether your project needs city approvals, permits, and inspections by contacting Building & Safety before work starts.
- 02 Submit a complete building permit application through the city's online form. The city states complete application requests must be submitted via email to buildingsafety@montebelloca.gov, and incomplete applications may delay processing.
- 03 If plan review is required, upload plans electronically through Montebello's goPost portal. Plan review submittals must include the project scope, owner and consultant information, site details, and plan sheets required for the project type.
- 04 Obtain any required interdepartmental approvals noted by the city or on the permit form, including Planning, Fire, Public Works, school fees, LA County Sanitation, or Health Department approvals where applicable.
- 05 After plan approval, pay permit and plan check fees and obtain permit issuance. Approved plans and the permit inspection card must remain on site.
- 06 Schedule required inspections through the Building Inspection Form. All listed inspection record items must be approved before concealment of work.
- 07 Obtain final inspection approval, and for new buildings, structures, and remodeling work, obtain a Certificate of Occupancy before use or occupancy.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Montebello building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Building permit / inspection fee starts at $263.11 for projects valued from $1.00 to $500.00. Trade permits also include lower flat issuance and item fees for specific plumbing, mechanical, and electrical work.
02
Plan check fee
Building plan check fee is 54% of building permit fees. Expedited plan check is 125% of the plan check fee per submittal. Additional plan review is charged hourly.
03
Permit fee formula
Building permit / inspection fees are valuation-based for building permits. Plumbing, mechanical, and electrical permits use flat and itemized fees. Engineering, grading, and related permits use separate flat or unit-based schedules.
04
Trade permit fee
Building permit / inspection fees are valuation-based for building permits. Plumbing, mechanical, and electrical permits use flat and itemized fees. Engineering, grading, and related permits use separate flat or unit-based schedules.
05
Reinspection fee
Reinspection fee is $177.00.
06
Penalty (no permit)
Investigation fee for clearance is $354.00.
No online payment processing notes were identified on the cited pages.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Building inspections are requested through the Building Inspection Form at (online)
- Building inspections are requested through the Building Inspection Form at https://montebelloca.seamlessdocs.com/f/8ob6wgt17dvq or by contacting the Building Inspector / Building Department at (323) 887-1497. Fire inspections use a separate online form at (online)
- (323) 887-1497 (phone)
- (323) 887-1507 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Building inspections are conducted Monday through Thursday during city hours, with estimated windows of 7:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 5:30 PM.
- Time windows
- Building inspections are conducted Monday through Thursday during city hours, with estimated windows of 7:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 5:30 PM.
Typical sequence: Montebello states each permit receives an Inspection Record showing required approvals based on scope and permit type. All applicable inspections must be approved before work is covered, followed by final inspection and, where applicable, Certificate of Occupancy.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Montebello permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Montebello, CA? ▸
Montebello states applicants should contact Building & Safety before starting any project to determine whether city approvals, permits, and inspections are required. The division issues building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and grading permits, and plan review covers new construction, renovations, additions, remodeling, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and structural work.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Montebello, CA? ▸
Building permit fees in Montebello, CA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Building permit / inspection fee starts at $263.11 for projects valued from $1.00 to $500.00. Trade permits also include lower flat issuance and item fees for specific plumbing, mechanical, and electrical work.. Fees are calculated as: Building permit / inspection fees are valuation-based for building permits. Plumbing, mechanical, and electrical permits use flat and itemized fees. Engineering, grading, and related permits use separate flat or unit-based schedules.. Plan check fee: Building plan check fee is 54% of building permit fees. Expedited plan check is 125% of the plan check fee per submittal. Additional plan review is charged hourly..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Montebello, CA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Montebello, CA, follow these steps: 1. Confirm whether your project needs city approvals, permits, and inspections by contacting Building & Safety before work starts. 2. Submit a complete building permit application through the city's online form. The city states complete application requests must be submitted via email to buildingsafety@montebelloca.gov, and incomplete applications may delay processing. 3. If plan review is required, upload plans electronically through Montebello's goPost portal. Plan review submittals must include the project scope, owner and consultant information, site details, and plan sheets required for the project type. 4. Obtain any required interdepartmental approvals noted by the city or on the permit form, including Planning, Fire, Public Works, school fees, LA County Sanitation, or Health Department approvals where applicable. 5. After plan approval, pay permit and plan check fees and obtain permit issuance. Approved plans and the permit inspection card must remain on site. 6. Schedule required inspections through the Building Inspection Form. All listed inspection record items must be approved before concealment of work. 7. Obtain final inspection approval, and for new buildings, structures, and remodeling work, obtain a Certificate of Occupancy before use or occupancy.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in Montebello, CA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Montebello, CA. The following work is generally exempt: Important note: Montebello's public pages reviewed do not publish a standalone exempt-work list. The summary below is inferred from the standard 2022 California Building Code / California Residential Code permit exemptions that Montebello states it has adopted.; One-story detached accessory structures not more than 120 square feet, when not used as sleeping quarters and subject to code limits.; Fences not over 7 feet high.; Retaining walls not over 4 feet measured from bottom of footing to top of wall, unless supporting surcharge or impounding Class I, II, or III-A liquids.; Water tanks supported directly on grade if capacity and height remain within code exemption limits.; Sidewalks, driveways, and certain platforms or walks meeting code exemption limits.; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and similar finish work.; Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to Group R-3 occupancy that are less than 24 inches deep and within code size limits.; Playground equipment, movable cases, and similar miscellaneous exempt items allowed by the adopted California codes.. Note: Even if work is exempt from a building permit, Montebello may still require zoning, planning, fire, floodplain, grading, public works, or separate electrical/plumbing/mechanical approvals. The city expressly instructs applicants to confirm permit requirements before starting work. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in Montebello, CA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Montebello, CA via: Building inspections are requested through the Building Inspection Form at, Building inspections are requested through the Building Inspection Form at https://montebelloca.seamlessdocs.com/f/8ob6wgt17dvq or by contacting the Building Inspector / Building Department at (323) 887-1497. Fire inspections use a separate online form at, (323) 887-1497, (323) 887-1507.
last verified April 2026
source City of Montebello Building & Safety Division, within the Planning & Community Development Department ↗
entry id permits/california/los-angeles/montebello
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Montebello Building & Safety Division, within the Planning & Community Development Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.