Hidden Hills, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Handles building, planning, plan check, permit issuance, and inspections within the City of Hidden Hills. The City notes that plans may also be reviewed by other City departments or outside agencies, and many properties are separately subject to Hidden Hills Community Association approval.

Department

City of Hidden Hills Building and Safety/Planning Department

Address

6165 Spring Valley Road, Hidden Hills, CA 91302

Phone

(818) 888-9281

Email

staff@hiddenhills.gov

Website

https://hiddenhills.gov/city-departments/building-and-safety-planning/information/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Read the City's PDF submittal guidelines before uploading plans.
2. Create an account at the Hidden Hills Permit Center and verify the account by email.
3. Complete the online permit application and upload PDF plan documents.
4. Include project documents as applicable. The City specifically lists mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and structural plan sheets, structural calculations, Title 24 documents, geotechnical report, soils report, and HOA approval documents.
5. Pay plan check and/or permit fees online by credit card. The City states convenience fees apply.
6. Respond to correction comments until plans are complete. The City states permits are issued only after plans are complete and corrected as required.
7. Request inspections through the portal or with Building and Safety. The City requires inspection requests at least 24 hours in advance.

Typical processing time: No general processing-time estimate was found on the City's public permit pages.

Source: City of Hidden Hills Building and Safety/Planning Department

General Requirements

The City provides permit issuance and inspection services for new construction, additions, and remodels. California's building standards generally require a permit before a building or structure is erected, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, improved, removed, converted, or demolished unless specifically exempt.

Required Documents

• - Online permit application / permit and plan review application - Project plans in PDF format - Mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and structural sheets as applicable - Structural calculations - Title 24 documents - Geotechnical and soils reports where applicable - HOA approval documents where applicable - Additional City forms as applicable from the Forms page, including grading, recycling, water-efficiency, structural observation, and related forms - For larger remodels, grading, demolition, and new homes, Hidden Hills' 2025 construction-control rules may also require a posted site notice, neighbor noticing materials, and a Dust Control Plan

Permit validity

Hidden Hills does not publish a local handout stating permit-expiration timing on its permit pages. California Building Standards Commission materials for the California code cycle state permit validity generally continues if work is commenced within 12 months after issuance, with written extensions allowed for up to 180 days each for justifiable cause. Confirm project-specific expiration terms with Hidden Hills Building and Safety.

Building code

The City states it updates its Building and Fire Codes every three years as required by California and includes local amendments. The Municipal Code and uncodified ordinances should be checked for the current adopted Title 24 edition. Hidden Hills also separately adopts a fire code tied to Los Angeles County fire code provisions and local amendments. The Housing Element states the City's building codes are based on the California Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, Fire, and Electrical Codes.

Owner-builder

The City's public application materials do not publish a separate owner-builder handout. Under CSLB guidance, an owner-builder is generally exempt from licensure but assumes responsibility for the project and must either do the work personally, use employees, use properly licensed subcontractors, or contract with a licensed general contractor, subject to statutory limits.

Contractor requirements

The City's application form requires contractor name, license number, and license class. CSLB states that in California, contractors generally must hold a current CSLB license when the project requires a building permit, uses employee labor, or totals $1,000 or more in labor and materials.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Building permit fees start at $71.40 for valuation from $0 to $700.

Plan check fee

The published engineering plan-check fee is $1,519 plus 7.20% of the first $50,000 of improvement cost, plus 5.75% of the next $100,000, plus 4.30% thereafter. For standard building-permit valuation tables, applicants should confirm any project-specific plan-check charges with the City.

Permit fee formula

Building permit fees are valuation-based. The published schedule lists tiered charges by total valuation, and also lists separate engineering plan-check and construction-permit issuance fees for engineering-related work.

Reinspection fee

No reinspection fee line item was identified on the public fee schedule.

Payment note

The City states most fees can be paid by credit card through the permit portal and that convenience fees apply.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Hidden Hills does not publish a standalone local exemption handout on its permit pages.
• Based on the California Building Standards Code exemptions referenced by CSLB and the California Residential Code exemption framework, common baseline examples typically include small detached accessory structures within code size limits, some low fences, some retaining walls below code thresholds, some finish work such as painting or flooring, and limited minor repair work.

Important: - Exemptions do not authorize work that violates zoning, fire, floodplain, grading, wildland-urban interface, HOA, or other local requirements. - Hidden Hills states local amendments apply, and its 2025 construction and demolition site-control rules apply broadly to construction, grading, and demolition activity. - Because Hidden Hills does not post a project-type exemption list, applicants should confirm exemptions directly with Building and Safety before proceeding without a permit.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Online through the permit portal (online)
• (818) 888-9281 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

- Requests must be made 24 hours in advance - Inspection hours: anytime after 11:00 a.m.

Inspection hours

- Counter and phone hours: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Monday through Friday - Inspection requests may be made from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. - Requests must be made 24 hours in advance - Inspection hours: anytime after 11:00 a.m.

Time windows

- Counter and phone hours: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Monday through Friday - Inspection requests may be made from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. - Requests must be made 24 hours in advance - Inspection hours: anytime after 11:00 a.m.

Typical inspection sequence: - The City states inspections occur during construction through final inspection. - Based on the City's residential checklist and standard California practice, a typical sequence may include foundation/footing, rough framing and rough MEP work, any required grading or soils-related signoffs, and final inspection.

Additional Resources

• Building code: The City states it updates its Building and Fire Codes every three years as required by California and includes local amendments. The Municipal Code and uncodified ordinances should be checked for the current adopted Title 24 edition. Hidden Hills also separately adopts a fire code tied to Los Angeles County fire code provisions and local amendments. The Housing Element states the City's building codes are based on the California Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, Fire, and Electrical Codes.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• Building and Safety/Planning information
• Permit Center
• Forms
• Development fee schedule page
• Municipal Code landing page
• Municode library
• Construction and demolition maintenance standards
• CSLB building permit overview
• CSLB owner-builder overview
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

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