Los Angeles, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

LADBS is the building permit authority for private-property construction within the City of Los Angeles. If a parcel is outside city limits, Los Angeles County Public Works Building and Safety is the permitting authority for unincorporated county areas and certain contract cities; use the County service locator to confirm jurisdiction.

Department

Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS)

Address

201 and 221 N. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90012

Phone

311 within Los Angeles; (213) 473-3231 from outside Los Angeles County

Email

LADBS.ASD@lacity.org

Website

https://dbs.lacity.gov/services/plan-review-permitting

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the parcel is inside the City of Los Angeles and review zoning/property constraints in ZIMAS.
2. Prepare plans and project documents. If the work qualifies for an express permit, use PermitLA; otherwise submit through ePlanLA or in person at an LADBS Development Services Center.
3. Create an Angeleno account before using ePlanLA or PermitLA.
4. Submit the permit application, plans, and any required supporting documents and agency clearances. Separate approvals may be required from Planning, Fire, Public Works, Transportation, LADWP, Housing, Sanitation, AQMD, LAUSD, or other agencies depending on scope.
5. After plan approval, complete permit issuance by providing the required signatures, contractor or owner-builder documentation, and paying fees.
6. Start work only after permit issuance, then request inspections at each required phase before covering work.
7. Obtain final inspection approval and, where applicable, a Certificate of Occupancy.

Typical processing time: No general citywide processing time is published on the main LADBS permitting pages reviewed; timing varies by permit type, required clearances, and whether the project qualifies for express permit processing.

Source: Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS)

General Requirements

LADBS states a permit is required for any private-property construction, alteration, or repair work on buildings within the City of Los Angeles. Building permits are specifically required for new buildings, additions, structural alterations, interior floor-plan changes, change of use/occupancy, parking layout changes, use-of-land permits, signs, fences, retaining walls, and shoring.

Required Documents

• Typically permit application, plans, valuation, plot/site information, and any required outside-agency clearances. For permit issuance, owner/agent/contractor signatures and supporting authorization documents are required. Contractor-issued permits generally require a notarized agent letter if applicable, workers' compensation evidence, contractor license evidence, and City business tax registration evidence.

Permit validity

LADBS states permits are generally valid for 2 years from issuance. Based on LADBS's expiration guidance, permitted work must commence within 1 year for residential projects and 6 months for commercial projects, and extensions may be required if deadlines are approaching.

Building code

LADBS publishes the 2023 L.A. Amendments to California Codes, including the 2023 Los Angeles Building, Residential, and related city codes effective January 1, 2023. Zoning rules are in the Los Angeles Municipal Code, with Chapter 1A now applying in the Downtown Community Plan Area and future updated plan areas.

Owner-builder

LADBS materials indicate owner-builder permits require the owner's signature to be verified, and an owner's representative must present a notarized authorization letter. Owner-builder declarations are part of permit issuance materials.

Contractor requirements

LADBS permit issuance materials require contractor license evidence, workers' compensation documentation, and City business tax registration evidence for contractor-issued permits.

Fees

Plan check fee

Applies where plan review is required; amount varies by permit type and scope. PermitLA express permits are for qualifying no-plan-check work.

Permit fee formula

Building permit fees are valuation-based, with LADBS using a Building Permit Valuation Table and additional surcharges/taxes as applicable.

Penalty (no permit)

Extra Trip Inspection fees, off-hour inspections, Saturday inspections, and work-without-permit penalties may apply.

Payment note

LADBS offers online invoice payment and fee calculation tools. Fees commonly include permit fees plus plan maintenance, system, development services center, planning, state, and other applicable surcharges/taxes depending on project type.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Online at (online)
• 311 (phone)
• (213) 473-3231 (phone)
• (888) 524-2845 (phone)
• LADBS Go (app)

Time windows

LADBS does not publish a single universal inspection window on the main inspection page reviewed. Off-hour, Saturday, and virtual inspection options are available for some inspection types.

Typical inspection sequence: Inspections generally follow construction stages such as excavation, foundation, framing, masonry, electrical, plumbing, roofing, exterior finishing, heating/cooling work, waterproofing, and final inspection.

Off-hour, Saturday, and virtual inspection options are available for some inspection types.

Additional Resources

• Building code: LADBS publishes the 2023 L.A. Amendments to California Codes, including the 2023 Los Angeles Building, Residential, and related city codes effective January 1, 2023. Zoning rules are in the Los Angeles Municipal Code, with Chapter 1A now applying in the Downtown Community Plan Area and future updated plan areas.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• https://planning.lacity.gov/zoning/zoning-search
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

Other cities in Los Angeles County