Commerce, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Applies to projects within the incorporated City of Commerce. The city's Building & Safety Division issues permits and inspections; some related reviews/finals may involve outside agencies, including Los Angeles County Fire for certain solar/PV and energy storage installations.

Department

City of Commerce Community Development Department, Building & Safety Division

Address

2535 Commerce Way, Commerce, CA 90040

Phone

(323) 722-4805; Permit Technician direct line listed as (323) 722-4805 ext. 2290; inspections line (323) 887-4455

Email

permittechnician@commerceca.gov

Website

https://www.commerceca.gov/city-hall/economic-development-and-planning/building-safety

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm scope with Commerce Building & Safety and collect the applicable forms from the Building & Safety page, including the Permit Worksheet and owner-builder or contractor declaration forms if applicable. Source: https://www.commerceca.gov/city-hall/economic-development-and-planning/building-safety
2. Prepare permit documents. Commerce's page indicates plan review/plan check is part of the process, and the posted resources include a Permit Worksheet, Owner Builder Declaration, Contractor's Declaration, EV Charger Checklist, and C&D recycling materials for covered projects. Source: https://www.commerceca.gov/city-hall/economic-development-and-planning/building-safety
3. Submit completed permit applications by email to permittechnician@commerceca.gov; for electronic plan review, use the city's linked electronic plan check path from the Building & Safety page. Source: https://www.commerceca.gov/city-hall/economic-development-and-planning/building-safety
4. Pay assessed permit and plan check fees after city review. For eligible residential solar, first obtain SolarAPP+ automated approval, then email the SolarAPP+ permit package, checklist, and single-line drawing to the city. Source: https://www.commerceca.gov/city-hall/economic-development-and-planning/building-safety
5. After permit issuance, call the inspection line to schedule required inspections. Commerce lists inspections Monday through Thursday, with requests made by phone at (323) 887-4455. Source: https://www.commerceca.gov/city-hall/economic-development-and-planning/building-safety

Typical processing time: City of Commerce Resolution No. 24-100 states plan check review for new construction averages four to six weeks. Source: https://www.commerceca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/4364/638725433286630000

Source: City of Commerce Community Development Department, Building & Safety Division

General Requirements

Commerce follows California building permit rules. CSLB's statewide permit guidance states a permit is required before a building or structure is erected, constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, improved, removed, converted, or demolished, subject to code exemptions. Commerce's Building & Safety Division is the local permitting authority.

Required Documents

• At minimum, expect a permit application/worksheet and plans sufficient for plan check. Commerce specifically posts a Permit Worksheet, Owner Builder Declaration, Contractor's Declaration, EV Charger Checklist, Schedule of Fees, and Permit Fee Request form. Covered construction projects must also comply with the city's C&D recycling program.

Permit validity

The Commerce page reviewed does not state permit expiration. Confirm the permit-expiration rule directly with Commerce Building & Safety before filing or relying on a permit for phased work.

Building code

Commerce's Building & Safety page says plans submitted for plan check are checked under the 2020 Los Angeles County Building, Electrical, Green, Mechanical, Plumbing, and Residential Codes. However, a City of Commerce public notice dated November 14, 2025 states the City Council considered an ordinance amending Title 15 to adopt the 2025 California Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical, and Residential Codes with local amendments. Because those two official city sources conflict, verify the currently enforced code set with Commerce before final submittal.

Owner-builder

Commerce requires an Owner Builder Declaration form where applicable. CSLB states an owner-builder may be exempt from licensure in limited cases, but by signing as owner-builder the property owner assumes full responsibility for permits, code compliance, inspections, supervision, and potential employer obligations.

Contractor requirements

CSLB states a current valid California contractor license is required for any project that requires a building permit, uses employee labor, or has combined labor and materials cost of $1,000 or more.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Not confirmed from a readable primary fee table in this session; verify directly from Commerce's posted Schedule of Fees or request a quote using the city's Permit Fee Request form.

Plan check fee

Separate plan check fee applies. Resolution No. 24-100 includes 2023 sample plan check fees of $3,837.33 for a modeled single-family example and $2,569.38 per unit for a modeled multi-family example.

Permit fee formula

Appears valuation-based for building permits and plan check, with additional line items depending on project type. City of Commerce Resolution No. 24-100 includes 2023 example building fees showing separate permit fee, plan check fee, plan maintenance, S.M.I.P., BSARF, and an art fee for projects with valuation greater than $250,000.

Reinspection fee

Not confirmed from a readable primary fee table in this session; verify from Commerce's posted Schedule of Fees before budgeting.

Payment note

Commerce's Building & Safety page indicates applicants submit materials first and then pay assessed fees; SolarAPP+ submissions also require permit-fee payment as part of that workflow.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Code-based exemptions generally apply rather than a separate Commerce-specific exemption list on the city page.
• Typical California code exemptions include certain minor one-story detached accessory structures, low-height fences, some finish work, limited plumbing fixture replacement, and minor electrical work, but exact thresholds depend on the adopted code edition and local amendments.
• Commerce's Building & Safety page reviewed does not publish its own exemption checklist.
• Because Commerce's official sources currently point to two different code cycles, confirm exemption thresholds with the Building & Safety Division before proceeding without a permit.
• Even when a building permit is exempt, separate zoning, fire, public works, health, or utility approvals may still apply.
• Sources: https://www.commerceca.gov/city-hall/economic-development-and-planning/building-safety ; https://www.cslb.ca.gov/consumers/hire_a_contractor/Building_Permit_Requirements.aspx

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Commerce instructs applicants to request inspections by phone at (323) 887-4455. For eligible SolarAPP+ jobs, the city page still directs applicants back to Commerce Building & Safety for inspection scheduling, and PV/ESS projects also require Los Angeles County Fire final inspection coordination. Sources (online)
• https://fire.lacounty.gov/fire-prevention-expeditedpvess/ (online)
• (323) 887-4455 (phone)

Inspection hours

Commerce lists inspections Monday through Thursday. The posted office-hours block also lists Building Inspector counter/availability Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Fire Department inspectors are listed Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., phone (323) 720-9913. Source: https://www.commerceca.gov/city-hall/economic-development-and-planning/building-safety

Time windows

Commerce lists inspections Monday through Thursday. The posted office-hours block also lists Building Inspector counter/availability Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Fire Department inspectors are listed Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., phone (323) 720-9913. Source: https://www.commerceca.gov/city-hall/economic-development-and-planning/building-safety

Typical inspection sequence: Not published as a single checklist on the Commerce page reviewed. Typical sequencing is rough/framing and trade inspections as applicable, then final inspection; eligible solar/PV and ESS work also requires L.A. County Fire final before use.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Commerce's Building & Safety page says plans submitted for plan check are checked under the 2020 Los Angeles County Building, Electrical, Green, Mechanical, Plumbing, and Residential Codes. However, a City of Commerce public notice dated November 14, 2025 states the City Council considered an ordinance amending Title 15 to adopt the 2025 California Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical, and Residential Codes with local amendments. Because those two official city sources conflict, verify the currently enforced code set with Commerce before final submittal.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

Other cities in Los Angeles County