On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for South Pasadena
The City says permits are required for most types of construction and many home-improvement projects, including plumbing, heating, air conditioning, decks, new homes, some sheds, additions, swimming pools, and hot tubs. Building permits cover erection, alteration, demolition, and moving of buildings and structures.
Inference from South Pasadena's adoption of the California Building and Residential Codes: common permit-exempt items usually include ordinary finish work such as painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work.
Small detached accessory structures below the code exemption threshold are commonly exempt under the California codes, but South Pasadena specifically warns that permits are required for some sheds.
Certain low fences and retaining walls, certain window awnings, and certain small prefabricated pools are commonly code-exempt if they stay within California code limits.
Minor repair work may be exempt when it does not affect structural features, egress, sanitation, safety, or accessibility, as determined by the enforcing agency.
- Exempt Inference from South Pasadena's adoption of the California Building and Residential Codes: common permit-exempt items usually include ordinary finish work such as painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work.
- Exempt Small detached accessory structures below the code exemption threshold are commonly exempt under the California codes, but South Pasadena specifically warns that permits are required for some sheds.
- Exempt Certain low fences and retaining walls, certain window awnings, and certain small prefabricated pools are commonly code-exempt if they stay within California code limits.
- Exempt Minor repair work may be exempt when it does not affect structural features, egress, sanitation, safety, or accessibility, as determined by the enforcing agency.
Note: The City FAQ states the Building Official may exempt minor work, and exemptions do not waive zoning, historic review, fire, or other code requirements. Because South Pasadena does not publish the full local exemption text on its permit page, applicants should confirm project-specific exemptions with the Building Division before proceeding without a permit.
Required documents
- Permit application
- PDF plans if plan review is required
- contractor declaration or owner-builder declaration
- workers' compensation information on the declaration form
- for SolarAPP+ jobs, contractor declaration and SolarAPP+ approval document.
- Building code
- Current city notice states South Pasadena adopted the 2025 California Building, Residential, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Energy, Green Building, Historical Building, Existing Building, Referenced Standards, and Administrative Codes, plus Chapter 96 of Title 26 of the Los Angeles County Code, effective January 1, 2026.
- Owner-builder
- Owner-builders must sign the City's owner-builder declaration and acknowledge legal and financial responsibility, worker-injury risk, employer obligations if labor is hired, and restrictions on building single-family structures for sale unless statutory conditions are met.
- Contractor requirements
- Contractor declaration requires licensure under California Business and Professions Code Chapter 9 (starting at Section 7000) with license in full force and effect. The City FAQ also says contractors and subcontractors must have a City business license to work in South Pasadena. Some work, such as certain multifamily electrical work, may only be pulled by a licensed contractor.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Over-the-counter for some smaller projects; formal building plan review typically 1 to 2 weeks; Chair Review typically 7 to 10 days.
- 01 Confirm whether the project also needs Planning/design review before permit issuance, especially for exterior work and historic properties. Minor Chair Review items typically take 7 to 10 days; smaller code reviews may be over-the-counter, while more formal building plan review is typically 1 to 2 weeks.
- 02 Complete the applicable South Pasadena permit application and declaration forms. If using a contractor, include the contractor declaration; if acting as owner-builder, include the owner-builder declaration. If plan review is required, include PDF plans with the application.
- 03 Email the completed application package to permittech@southpasadenaca.gov to open the permit record.
- 04 If the project requires plan check, contact the Permit Counter to arrange payment of plan review fees, then upload plan sets in PDF through the Building and Safety Division Plan Submittal Portal.
- 05 Respond to plan-check comments or correction requests until approved. For eligible small residential solar projects, licensed contractors may use SolarAPP+ first, then submit the SolarAPP+ permit in the Accela portal for instant issuance.
- 06 Pay permit fees and receive the permit. The fee schedule includes a permit issuance fee in addition to discipline-specific permit and plan-check fees.
- 07 Request inspections through the City inspection request form and obtain final approval before occupancy or use of the permitted work.
Typical processing time: Over-the-counter for some smaller projects; formal building plan review typically 1 to 2 weeks; Chair Review typically 7 to 10 days.
Source: City of South Pasadena Community Development Department, Building Division ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
South Pasadena building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Plan check fee
Generally 85% of the building permit fee where plan check is required; minimum plan review shown in the fee schedule is $118.64; additional review beyond the second plan check is $158.63 per hour.
02
Permit fee formula
Building permit and plan-check fees are generally valuation-based; trade permits use schedule or unit fees; grading fees are volume-based.
03
Trade permit fee
Building permit and plan-check fees are generally valuation-based; trade permits use schedule or unit fees; grading fees are volume-based.
04
Penalty (no permit)
Investigation fee for work without a required permit equals the permit fee, but not less than $487.88; exception for owner-builder work on one- and two-family dwellings is $243.94. Other noncompliance and revision fees also apply.
Applicants are told to contact the Permit Counter to file the application and arrange payment of required plan review fees. SolarAPP+ permits are paid in the City portal; SolarAPP+ also charges its own processing fee.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Inspection request form (online)
- (626) 403-7226 (phone)
- (626) 403-7224 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Inspections are conducted Monday through Thursday between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., and the current Building Division page also notes Friday inspections between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
- Time windows
- Inspections are conducted Monday through Thursday between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., and the current Building Division page also notes Friday inspections between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
Typical sequence: Typical sequence is foundation and rough inspections as applicable, then final inspection; exact sequence depends on scope and permit type.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about South Pasadena permits
01 Do I need a building permit in South Pasadena, CA? ▸
The City says permits are required for most types of construction and many home-improvement projects, including plumbing, heating, air conditioning, decks, new homes, some sheds, additions, swimming pools, and hot tubs. Building permits cover erection, alteration, demolition, and moving of buildings and structures.
02 How much does a building permit cost in South Pasadena, CA? ▸
Building permit fees in South Pasadena, CA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Building permit and plan-check fees are generally valuation-based; trade permits use schedule or unit fees; grading fees are volume-based.. Plan check fee: Generally 85% of the building permit fee where plan check is required; minimum plan review shown in the fee schedule is $118.64; additional review beyond the second plan check is $158.63 per hour..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in South Pasadena, CA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in South Pasadena, CA, follow these steps: 1. Confirm whether the project also needs Planning/design review before permit issuance, especially for exterior work and historic properties. Minor Chair Review items typically take 7 to 10 days; smaller code reviews may be over-the-counter, while more formal building plan review is typically 1 to 2 weeks. 2. Complete the applicable South Pasadena permit application and declaration forms. If using a contractor, include the contractor declaration; if acting as owner-builder, include the owner-builder declaration. If plan review is required, include PDF plans with the application. 3. Email the completed application package to permittech@southpasadenaca.gov to open the permit record. 4. If the project requires plan check, contact the Permit Counter to arrange payment of plan review fees, then upload plan sets in PDF through the Building and Safety Division Plan Submittal Portal. 5. Respond to plan-check comments or correction requests until approved. For eligible small residential solar projects, licensed contractors may use SolarAPP+ first, then submit the SolarAPP+ permit in the Accela portal for instant issuance. 6. Pay permit fees and receive the permit. The fee schedule includes a permit issuance fee in addition to discipline-specific permit and plan-check fees. 7. Request inspections through the City inspection request form and obtain final approval before occupancy or use of the permitted work.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in South Pasadena, CA? ▸
Building permit processing times in South Pasadena, CA typically run Over-the-counter for some smaller projects; formal building plan review typically 1 to 2 weeks; Chair Review typically 7 to 10 days.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in South Pasadena, CA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in South Pasadena, CA. The following work is generally exempt: Inference from South Pasadena's adoption of the California Building and Residential Codes: common permit-exempt items usually include ordinary finish work such as painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work.; Small detached accessory structures below the code exemption threshold are commonly exempt under the California codes, but South Pasadena specifically warns that permits are required for some sheds.; Certain low fences and retaining walls, certain window awnings, and certain small prefabricated pools are commonly code-exempt if they stay within California code limits.; Minor repair work may be exempt when it does not affect structural features, egress, sanitation, safety, or accessibility, as determined by the enforcing agency.. Note: The City FAQ states the Building Official may exempt minor work, and exemptions do not waive zoning, historic review, fire, or other code requirements. Because South Pasadena does not publish the full local exemption text on its permit page, applicants should confirm project-specific exemptions with the Building Division before proceeding without a permit. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in South Pasadena, CA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in South Pasadena, CA via: Inspection request form, (626) 403-7226, (626) 403-7224.
last verified April 2026
source City of South Pasadena Community Development Department, Building Division ↗
entry id permits/california/los-angeles/south-pasadena
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of South Pasadena Community Development Department, Building Division before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.