Long Beach, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

The City issues building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, grading, and related construction permits for private property within Long Beach city limits. Separate reviews or permits may also be required from Planning, Fire, Public Works, Water, Health, utilities, or other agencies depending on scope.

Department

City of Long Beach Community Development Department, Building and Safety Bureau

Address

411 W. Ocean Blvd., 2nd Floor, Long Beach, CA 90802

Phone

562.570.PMIT (7648)

Email

DV-BuildingSafety@longbeach.gov

Website

https://www.longbeach.gov/lbcd/building/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm whether the project needs a permit and whether it qualifies as an Express Permit, Over-the-Counter plan review, Submitted Plan Review, or registered-contractor online permitting. Long Beach states most construction, alteration, replacement, and repair work requires permits and inspections.
2. For standard projects, schedule an in-person Permit Center appointment and prepare the consolidated permit application plus supporting construction documents as digital PDF files on a USB device. For some city application-package workflows, the City also directs applicants to email the completed package and required plans/documents to DV-BuildingSafety@longbeach.gov.
3. Submit the application, plans, calculations, and technical reports required for the scope. City staff screen the package for completeness before routing it for review.
4. If plan review comments are issued, revise and resubmit until all assigned reviewers approve the project. Once approved, schedule a Ready-To-Issue permit appointment and bring required permit forms, including Form-005 and Form-006 if applicable.
5. Pay outstanding fees, obtain the permit, perform the work, and schedule required inspections online. For registered-contractor online permits for simple projects, the City says an invoice is generally sent within 1-3 business days after submission; broader plan-review turnaround times are not posted as a single published estimate on the main permit pages.

Source: City of Long Beach Community Development Department, Building and Safety Bureau

General Requirements

Long Beach says most construction activities, including alterations, replacements, and repair work in dwellings, require permits and inspections. Additional requirements may apply in historic districts and coastal zones.

Required Documents

• APP-001 Development Permit Application for projects requiring plan review
• construction plans
• plot/site plans
• structural calculations
• technical reports if applicable
• Form-005 California Licensed Contractors Declaration and Owner-Builder's Declaration
• Form-006 Owner/Builder/Contractor Permit Proxy if an agent or proxy is involved
• contractor license, Long Beach business license, and workers' compensation proof if applicable.

Permit validity

Permit applications in plan review are valid for 12 months from application. Issued permits are valid for 2 years, but expire if work is not started or inspected within 90 days after issuance, or if work is suspended/discontinued/abandoned or not inspected for 90 continuous days after commencement. The Building Official may grant extensions for unusual construction difficulties.

Building code

Effective January 1, 2026, Long Beach requires compliance with the 2025 Edition of the California Building Standards Code and the Long Beach Municipal Code for project approval.

Owner-builder

A homeowner of a one- or two-family dwelling and related accessory building or structure may obtain a permit under IB-029. Owner-builders must complete the owner-builder declaration, and if an authorized agent pulls the permit, Form-006 proxy documentation is required.

Contractor requirements

Licensed contractors must provide a valid California State Contractor's License and an active Long Beach business license. If the contractor has employees, proof of workers' compensation insurance must be shown at permit issuance.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Building permit by valuation up to $500 is $101 per permit. Combination building permit minimum is $164. A $96 processing fee is added to each plan check and permit application.

Plan check fee

Standard building plan check is 75% of the building permit fee, but not less than $154. Combination plan check is 75% of the building permit fee, but not less than $154. Plan recheck is 50% of the building permit fee, but not less than $286.

Permit fee formula

Building permit fees are primarily valuation-based. Standard building permit fees scale by project valuation; combination building permits are 150% of the building permit fee, subject to the stated minimums. Separate trade and specialty fee schedules also apply.

Trade permit fee

Building permit fees are primarily valuation-based. Standard building permit fees scale by project valuation; combination building permits are 150% of the building permit fee, subject to the stated minimums. Separate trade and specialty fee schedules also apply.

Reinspection fee

Reinspection fee is $140.

Penalty (no permit)

Work without a permit triggers an added penalty of 100% of the permit fee, with a minimum $465 investigation fee.

Payment note

The City notes a 5.5% Technology Surcharge and 5.5% General Plan Surcharge on applicable fees. Online minor permits can be paid online after approval, and the permit is then emailed. The City application package also states applicants may be directed to pay permit fees and related fees over the phone through the Development Services Cashier.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Detached accessory structures used as tool or storage sheds, playhouses, or similar uses, if not over 120 square feet, not over 8 feet high, and with no plumbing, electrical, or mechanical work
• Wood, vinyl, wrought iron, or similar fences up to 6 feet 6 inches high
• Retaining walls or planter boxes up to 4 feet high, if not supporting surcharge or sloping earth
• Private concrete pathways, driveways, and decks up to 30 inches above adjacent ground
• Hot or cold roof paint application
• Roofing up to 100 square feet on an existing building or structure within any 12-month period
• Painting, wall treatments, floor and wall coverings, and similar minor interior decoration
• Tile installation, repair, or replacement on floors, countertops, or walls up to 48 inches high
• Plaster/drywall patch or repair up to 10 square yards in totality of the building
• Window awnings that do not project more than 54 inches and do not require additional support
• Wall veneer less than 48 inches in height
• Low-voltage work such as doorbells, sprinklers, and thermostats
• Same-type/same-location replacement of specified electrical devices and fixtures, subject to energy-code compliance
• Limited plumbing repairs such as leak repairs, exposed trap replacement, faucet/ball-cock replacement, certain water-heater repairs, and gas piping not more than 6 feet between an approved outlet and gas-fired appliance in the same room
• Use of listed and approved portable heating, ventilating, or cooling units/appliances

Important: Exemptions are determined by the Building Official; historic districts and coastal zones may impose added requirements; exemptions do not cover hazardous or illegal preexisting electrical installations; Long Beach specifically notes that some DIY work such as patio covers, gazebos, replacement windows, and replacement of sinks, toilets, or dishwashers still requires permits.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Building inspections must be scheduled online at (online)
• DV-CancelInspections@longbeach.gov (email)

Inspection hours

Daily inspection schedules are posted by 8:00 a.m. or earlier. If an inspection is scheduled between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., the inspector also calls to confirm. Inspection-services staff phone hours are Monday-Friday 6:30-7:30 a.m. and 3:00-3:30 p.m.

Time windows

Daily inspection schedules are posted by 8:00 a.m. or earlier. If an inspection is scheduled between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., the inspector also calls to confirm. Inspection-services staff phone hours are Monday-Friday 6:30-7:30 a.m. and 3:00-3:30 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: After permit issuance, schedule required progress inspections through the City portal; use the inspection area map to identify the assigned inspector; complete final inspection after all scope items are installed and approved. Exact sequence varies by project scope and permit type.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Effective January 1, 2026, Long Beach requires compliance with the 2025 Edition of the California Building Standards Code and the Long Beach Municipal Code for project approval.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• https://www.longbeach.gov/lbcd/building/permit-center/do-i-need-a-permit/
• https://www.longbeach.gov/lbcd/building/applications--forms/
• https://www.longbeach.gov/lbcd/building/plan-review-service/code/
• https://www.longbeach.gov/lbcd/building/permit-center/status-inquiry/
• https://www.longbeach.gov/lbcd/building/permit-center/building-permit-records/
• https://www.longbeach.gov/lbcd/planning/current/zoning/
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

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