Artesia, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Applies within the City of Artesia city limits. Artesia states that it contracts with the County of Los Angeles for Building & Safety services, so permit review and inspection standards are tied to Los Angeles County building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical codes as adopted by the city.

Department

City of Artesia Building & Safety Department, within Community Development

Address

18747 Clarkdale Avenue, Artesia, CA 90701

Phone

562-865-6262

Email

Planning@cityofartesia.us

Website

https://www.cityofartesia.us/107/Building-Safety

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm zoning/planning requirements first. Artesia's Required Building Plans page says Planning Department approval and building permits are required before starting construction work.
2. Create or sign in to an OpenGov account at the city's permitting portal.
3. Select the Building & Safety Department and the correct permit type, then complete the application.
4. Upload the required plans and supporting documents. Depending on scope, Artesia calls for plot/site, elevation, floor, structural, and electrical/plumbing plans, plus any required forms.
5. Respond to correction comments and agency requirements. Artesia says applicants can track review status and receive correction comments in OpenGov.
6. Pay permit fees through OpenGov once plan review is complete and any required approvals are in place.
7. After permit issuance, schedule inspections by phone at least 24 hours in advance and keep approved plans and the inspection card available on site.

Typical processing time: Artesia's current Building & Safety pages do not publish a general turnaround time for standard building permits. Los Angeles County notes that only simple over-the-counter plan checks are reviewed immediately; other permit issuance depends on plan approval and outside agency clearances.

Source: City of Artesia Building & Safety Department, within Community Development

General Requirements

Artesia requires building, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical permits to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, connect, convert, demolish, or equip a building, structure, or portion thereof. The city lists examples including garages, room additions, pools, sheds, patio covers, fences or block walls, storage buildings, retaining walls, and reroofing. Separate electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and gas piping permits are required for listed systems and equipment installations.

Required Documents

• Typical submittals include a plot/site plan, elevation plan, floor plan, structural plan for construction over 400 square feet, and electrical/plumbing plans. One- and two-family dwelling projects require a Certification of Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Compliance form. Artesia also requires Construction and Demolition Waste Diversion program forms, and construction of 500 square feet or more requires school fees before building permit issuance. Contractors must hold a City of Artesia business license before permit issuance.

Permit validity

Because Artesia contracts for Los Angeles County Building & Safety services, county permit rules are the clearest published expiration standard for this contract-city workflow: a permit expires if work has not started within 12 months of issuance or if work lapses for more than 180 days after starting; written 180-day extensions may be available. Los Angeles County also states a permit application expires if no permit is issued within one year after application initiation, with up to two 180-day extensions upon written request.

Building code

Artesia materials state AMC Section 8-1.01 adopts Los Angeles County Code Title 26, Building Code, and the city's 2024-25 fee resolution says Artesia adopted by reference the Los Angeles County Building, Electrical, Plumbing, and Mechanical Codes. City materials also state code enforcement applies the Artesia Municipal Code and California Building Code. City planning materials state Artesia adopted the 2022 Green Building Standards Code into the municipal code effective January 1, 2023.

Owner-builder

Artesia says permits are generally issued to duly licensed contractors, but a homeowner or the homeowner's relatives may obtain a permit for construction or alteration of a one- or two-family dwelling if the work will be performed by the homeowner. Artesia's building plans page also says electrical and plumbing work may be performed by the homeowner if the project is residential; otherwise it must be done by a licensed contractor.

Contractor requirements

Artesia says permits shall be issued to duly licensed contractors. In addition, all contractors hired by the owner and all subcontractors hired by the general contractor must obtain a City of Artesia business license before any building permit is issued.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Artesia's 2024-25 schedule adds a $38.83 permit issuance fee to all building permits. Published minimums otherwise vary by permit category and valuation table rather than a single citywide minimum permit amount.

Plan check fee

For building permits, the published minimum plan check fee for a standard plan is $423.63. For electrical permits, plan check is 70% of the permit fee with a $308.01 minimum. For mechanical permits, plan check is 50% of the permit fee with a $308.01 minimum. For plumbing permits, plan check is 40% of the permit fee.

Permit fee formula

Building permit fees use the 2024-25 City of Artesia Building Valuation Fee Table and Los Angeles County-based fee schedule. The city council states Artesia adopted Los Angeles County building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical code fees by reference using a factor of 2.0 plus annual CPI increases.

Trade permit fee

Building permit fees use the 2024-25 City of Artesia Building Valuation Fee Table and Los Angeles County-based fee schedule. The city council states Artesia adopted Los Angeles County building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical code fees by reference using a factor of 2.0 plus annual CPI increases.

Reinspection fee

One specific published reinspection line item is $615.16 for inspection or reinspection of Group A, Division 4 structures.

Penalty (no permit)

Artesia publishes an investigation fee for work done without a required permit equal to the permit fee, but not less than $947.34, with a reduced $473.67 minimum for one- or two-family dwellings when work is performed by an owner-builder. The schedule also lists noncompliance fees of $284.50 for one- and two-family dwelling occupancies and $569.44 for other occupancies.

Payment note

Artesia's OpenGov page says applicants can pay permit fees securely through the online portal. Separate city entitlement checklists state in-person submittals use checks payable to the City of Artesia, but the Building & Safety page does not publish separate card or check restrictions for standard online permit payments.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached accessory buildings used as tool or storage sheds, playhouses, shade structures, and similar uses, if not over 120 square feet, not over 12 feet high, and with roof projection not over 24 inches
• Certain fences and monument signs up to stated height limits
• Retaining walls not over 4 feet measured from bottom of footing to top of wall, unless supporting surcharge or impounding specified liquids
• Decks, walks, and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade, not over a basement or story below, and not part of an accessible route
• Certain shallow prefabricated swimming pools accessory to Group R-3 occupancy
• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work where disabled-access requirements do not apply
• Minor electrical repair work such as replacing lamps, switches, receptacles, sockets, and similar devices
• Plumbing leak repairs and stoppage clearing where no trap, drainpipe, soil, waste, vent pipe, valve, pipe, or fixture is replaced or rearranged
• Portable heating, ventilating, and cooling equipment and other listed minor mechanical work

Important: Los Angeles County states separate plumbing, electrical, and mechanical permits may still be required even when a building permit is exempt, and exempt work must still comply with zoning and all other applicable laws. Artesia's Building & Safety page also lists work types that commonly require permits, so applicants should confirm exemptions before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• EPIC-LA (online)
• 562-865-6262 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Artesia requires at least 24 hours advance notice. Artesia's inspection page directs applicants to call 562-865-6262 at least 24 hours in advance.

Inspection hours

Artesia requires at least 24 hours advance notice. The city does not publish AM/PM inspection windows on the inspections page. For permit counter access, Building & Safety permit hours are Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. and every other Friday 8:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m.; plan checker hours are Tuesday and Thursday 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Time windows

Artesia requires at least 24 hours advance notice. The city does not publish AM/PM inspection windows on the inspections page. For permit counter access, Building & Safety permit hours are Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. and every other Friday 8:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m.; plan checker hours are Tuesday and Thursday 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: Artesia lists common inspections as foundation, concrete slab/under-floor, framing, insulation, lath/drywall, and final inspection. Additional inspections may be required depending on the project.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Artesia materials state AMC Section 8-1.01 adopts Los Angeles County Code Title 26, Building Code, and the city's 2024-25 fee resolution says Artesia adopted by reference the Los Angeles County Building, Electrical, Plumbing, and Mechanical Codes. City materials also state code enforcement applies the Artesia Municipal Code and California Building Code. City planning materials state Artesia adopted the 2022 Green Building Standards Code into the municipal code effective January 1, 2023.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

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