Paramount, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Paramount is an incorporated city in Los Angeles County, and the City issues building permits for work within city limits. County agencies may still be outside reviewers for fire, health, assessor, recorder, and similar specialty matters.

Department

City of Paramount Planning and Building Department, Building and Safety Division

Address

16400 Colorado Avenue, Paramount, CA 90723

Phone

(562) 220-2036

Email

buildingpermits@paramountcity.gov

Website

https://www.paramountcity.gov/government/departments/planning-and-building/building-and-safety/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm whether Planning approval is required for the project. The online application asks whether Planning Department approval has been obtained.
2. Submit the permit application online through the iWorQ form or submit plans in person at the Planning and Building and Safety counter.
3. Provide the required project and applicant information, including property information, contractor selection, applicant email, work description, project address, valuation, and permit/work type.
4. Upload supporting documents as needed, including plans, contractor license information, authorization letters, and a current Paramount business license. Owners pulling permits should be prepared to show ID, and recently acquired owners may need a recorded or certified deed.
5. City staff performs plan check. Typical first review is about 10 business days; resubmittals or revisions are typically 5 to 7 business days.
6. After the City assigns the permit number, use the permit portal to pay fees, monitor plan check status, and request inspections.
7. Schedule inspections online or by phone. Requests made before 4:00 PM are scheduled for the next available day; requests after 4:00 PM are scheduled two business days later.

Typical processing time: First submittals about 10 business days; resubmittals/revisions about 5 to 7 business days

Source: City of Paramount Planning and Building Department, Building and Safety Division

General Requirements

Paramount's Building and Safety Division reviews and issues permits for construction, alteration, demolition, and relocation of buildings and structures. Under the California Building Standards Code, permits are generally required before a building or structure is erected, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, improved, removed, converted, or demolished.

Required Documents

• Online application fields include property information, applicant name and email, description of work, project address, valuation, permit type, work type, and planning approval status. Uploads may include plans, contractor license information, authorization letters, and a Paramount business license. Contractors also need workers' compensation information. Owners pulling permits need photo ID and may need deed evidence if ownership is not yet reflected in assessor records.

Permit validity

Permit expires if work is not started within 1 year of issuance or if work is suspended or abandoned for 180 days. The Building Official may grant written extensions of up to 180 days each. Paramount Municipal Code states the extension fee is 25% of the permit fee.

Building code

Paramount Municipal Code section 15.04.010 adopts the 2025 California Building Standards Code, Parts 1 through 12 of Title 24, plus related local adoptions and amendments. Paramount Municipal Code section 15.04.011 amends permit expiration and certain permit exemptions.

Owner-builder

Paramount says a permit may be issued to an owner-builder residing in the single-family residence for which the permit is sought. Commercial, industrial, and multifamily projects are issued only to California licensed contractors. The city's permit form also includes California owner-builder declarations under Business and Professions Code section 7044.

Contractor requirements

A California licensed contractor is required for commercial, industrial, and multifamily work. Expired licenses are not eligible for online submittal. Contractors must provide CSLB license information, workers' compensation coverage if applicable, and a current City of Paramount business license. Agents pulling permits need an original notarized authorization letter on company letterhead.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

The master fee schedule states a permit issuance fee of $57 is added to all permit fees. In the building valuation table, the smallest published building permit amount is $60.34 for very low valuation work, before the separate $57 issuance fee and applicable surcharges.

Plan check fee

Valuation-based when plans are required. The table starts at $108.94, and for valuation above $190,000 the City adds $7.18 per additional $1,000. Expedited plan review is 125% of the plan check fee.

Permit fee formula

Building permit and plan check fees are valuation-based when plans are required. For valuation over $190,000, the schedule adds $8.45 per additional $1,000 to the building permit fee and $7.18 per additional $1,000 to the plan check fee. Trade permits also use flat and unit-based charges. The schedule separately applies state surcharges and a 7.5% technology fee.

Trade permit fee

Building permit and plan check fees are valuation-based when plans are required. For valuation over $190,000, the schedule adds $8.45 per additional $1,000 to the building permit fee and $7.18 per additional $1,000 to the plan check fee. Trade permits also use flat and unit-based charges. The schedule separately applies state surcharges and a 7.5% technology fee.

Reinspection fee

Re-inspection fee $406.

Penalty (no permit)

Work without a permit is charged at the required permit fee, capped at $1,400.

Payment note

Once a permit number has been assigned, the City directs applicants to use the iWorQ permit portal to pay fees. The City also accepts in-person counter submittals.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Paramount relies on the permit exemptions in the California Building Code and California Residential Code section 105.2, as locally adopted and amended.
• Paramount specifically exempts prefabricated swimming pools accessory to Group R-3 occupancies when they are installed entirely above ground, are less than 18 inches deep, and do not exceed 5,000 gallons.
• Paramount specifically exempts detached decks not exceeding 200 square feet, not more than 30 inches above grade, not attached to a dwelling, and not serving the required exit door.

Important: Permit exemption does not waive zoning, fire, utility, environmental, health, or other code requirements. If there is any question about whether state section 105.2 exemptions apply, applicants should confirm with Paramount Building and Safety before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Online through (online)
• (562) 220-2036 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Inspection requests submitted before 4:00 PM are scheduled the next available day; after 4:00 PM, two business days later.

Inspection hours

Inspection requests submitted before 4:00 PM are scheduled the next available day; after 4:00 PM, two business days later. Inspectors are available at City Hall Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., Monday through Thursday 4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Friday 3:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.; by phone Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. For SolarAPP+ projects, the City says field inspections are performed between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Time windows

Inspection requests submitted before 4:00 PM are scheduled the next available day; after 4:00 PM, two business days later. Inspectors are available at City Hall Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., Monday through Thursday 4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Friday 3:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.; by phone Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. For SolarAPP+ projects, the City says field inspections are performed between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: Inference from the city permit portal inspection list: soils/setbacks as applicable, foundation or trench, slab or underfloor work, framing and shear/roof diaphragm stages, insulation, lath or drywall, trade rough and final inspections, and final building inspection.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Paramount Municipal Code section 15.04.010 adopts the 2025 California Building Standards Code, Parts 1 through 12 of Title 24, plus related local adoptions and amendments. Paramount Municipal Code section 15.04.011 amends permit expiration and certain permit exemptions.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Building and Safety resources
• Permit applications and fee schedule landing page
• Paramount Municipal Code, Chapter 15.04
• CSLB permit requirement overview
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

Other cities in Los Angeles County