Pasadena, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Primary building-permit authority for work within Pasadena city limits. Pasadena is in Los Angeles County, but the City, not Los Angeles County, is the local building-permit issuer for incorporated Pasadena projects. Separate City reviewers may include Fire, Public Works, Water & Power, Planning, and Design/Historic Preservation depending on scope.

Department

City of Pasadena Planning & Community Development Department, Building & Safety Division / Permit Center

Address

175 North Garfield Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101

Phone

(626) 744-4200

Email

Permit_Center_Manager@cityofpasadena.net

Website

https://www.cityofpasadena.net/planning/permit-center/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm whether the project needs a building permit, a zoning permit, or both. Pasadena states most construction projects require a building permit, and even exempt work may still need a zoning permit.
2. Determine whether the project is eligible for online submittal. Pasadena requires new construction, ADUs, tenant improvements, additions, commercial solar, and commercial seismic retrofits to be submitted online through Permit Center Online. Some simple permits, especially MEP subtrade permits, can be obtained quickly through the Express Permit Portal.
3. Prepare the application and supporting documents. Pasadena directs applicants to use the applicable plan-submittal checklist; if submitting in person for a permit type not available online, bring the completed building permit application plus three hard-copy plan sets and one electronic copy on flash drive if plans are required.
4. Submit the application and pay initial fees. A case number is issued at submittal, and plan-review fees must be paid before review starts.
5. Complete plan review. Pasadena uses concurrent plan review, meaning all required reviewers review at the same time and comments are consolidated. Simple projects may be processed over the counter; more complex projects go to behind-the-counter review.
6. Respond to corrections and resubmit if required. Pasadena notes projects commonly average one initial submittal plus up to two revisions, depending on completeness and complexity.
7. After approval, pay remaining permit fees and obtain permit issuance. Contractors must present valid CSLB licensing, Pasadena business license, and workers' compensation coverage as applicable; owner-builders must complete the owner-builder declaration before permit issuance.
8. Schedule required inspections through the inspection portal or by contacting Building & Safety, complete finals, and obtain sign-off or any required temporary certificate of occupancy.

Typical processing time: Pasadena does not publish one universal turnaround for all building permits. City materials say simple qualifying projects may be processed over the counter; ADU standard-plan guidance gives an approximate 3 to 4 weeks for initial review and about 2 weeks for resubmittals; Fire Engineering states a typical fire-plan review is about 3 weeks depending on workload and project complexity.

Source: City of Pasadena Planning & Community Development Department, Building & Safety Division / Permit Center

General Requirements

Pasadena says a building permit is required for most construction projects involving construction, alteration, or additions to a structure. Projects commonly requiring plan review include new structures, room additions, remodeling, and tenant improvements. Some items exempt from building permits may still require zoning permits.

Required Documents

• Varies by project. Pasadena commonly requires the permit application, applicable plan-submittal checklist materials, and plans/specifications. In-person projects requiring plans generally need three hard-copy sets plus one electronic copy on flash drive. Site plans may be required for exterior equipment. Contractors may need licenses, insurance, and business-license proof.

Permit validity

Pasadena's public Apply for Permit page says permits are valid for 180 days from issuance, with regular inspections keeping the permit active, and written extension requests due before expiration. Separately, Pasadena's November 2025 code-adoption ordinance materials indicate that for permits under the 2025 code cycle, project completion deadlines apply beginning January 1, 2026: 24 months for single-family/duplex projects and 36 months for multifamily/nonresidential projects, with up to two 6-month extensions. Because City webpages are not fully harmonized, applicants should verify which expiration rule the Permit Center is applying to the specific permit.

Building code

Pasadena's Codes and Regulations page still lists the 2022 California code set effective January 1, 2023. However, Pasadena publicly noticed and adopted the 2025 California Building Standards Code with local amendments in November 2025, and multiple current City materials state the 2025 California codes are in effect starting January 1, 2026. Based on those later official materials, the current operative code cycle appears to be the 2025 California Building, Residential, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Energy, Green Building Standards, and Fire Codes as amended by Pasadena. This is an inference from the later City adoption materials because the older codes page has not yet been fully updated.

Owner-builder

Owner-builders must sign Pasadena's Owner Builder Declaration before permit issuance. The form warns that the owner becomes the legally and financially responsible party, may assume employer obligations if using non-licensed labor over $500 in value, and must verify contractor licensing and workers' compensation coverage if later hiring contractors.

Contractor requirements

Pasadena requires contractors pulling permits to present a valid California contractor license, a current City of Pasadena business license, and appropriate workers' compensation insurance. Pasadena verifies the contractor information through the California Contractors State License Board. The Permit Center also notes a Pasadena business license must be presented by contractors and agents to contractors pulling permits.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Building permit fee starts at $23 for valuation from $1 to $500 under the FY 2026 General Fee Schedule.

Plan check fee

Separate valuation-based plan-check fees apply. Building plan-check fees start at $34 for valuation from $1 to $500, then scale upward; additional valuation-based plan-check fees may apply for Fire Exiting, Public Works, Current Planning, and Design/Historic Preservation review depending on the project. Pasadena notes reduced Building & Safety plan-check fees for qualifying ADU standard-plan or affordability cases.

Permit fee formula

Valuation-based for building permits, using Pasadena's valuation estimate methodology tied to ICC Building Valuation Data tables. FY 2026 examples: $23 for $1-$500 valuation; $123 for first $2,000 plus $16 per additional $1,000 up to $25,000; $615 for first $25,000 plus $15 per additional $1,000 up to $50,000; $1,108 for first $50,000 plus $8 per additional $1,000 up to $100,000; $1,689 for first $100,000 plus $6 per additional $1,000 above that.

Penalty (no permit)

The FY 2026 fee schedule also lists a $3,277 penalty for grading without permits.

Payment note

Pasadena states permit fees can be paid online through the portal by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, or electronic check. Plan-review fees must be paid to initiate review.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached accessory structures used as tool/storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses not over 120 square feet
• Non-masonry fences not over 6 feet high
• Retaining walls not over 4 feet high measured from bottom of footing to top of wall, unless supporting surcharge or certain liquids
• Platforms, walks, and driveways meeting grade/accessibility limits
• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work not affecting accessible egress/routes
• Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets and scenery
• Small accessory ponds for Group R-3 occupancy under the stated depth/capacity limits
• Swings and playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings
• Certain window awnings in Group R-3 and U occupancies
• Certain small residential decks not exceeding 200 square feet and related height/setback conditions
• Low-voltage/low-wattage electrical work below stated thresholds
• Portable heating, cooking, drying, ventilation, cooling, and similar listed mechanical equipment
• Plumbing leak stopping work where defective concealed piping is not being removed and replaced with new material

Important: Pasadena's exemption handout expressly says zoning permits may still be required. Exemption from permit does not authorize work that violates building codes, zoning rules, or other local laws. Pasadena's zoning-permit page also notes items like smaller sheds, lower retaining walls, fences up to 6 feet, and some paving may still need zoning approval even when exempt from building permit.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Online through the inspection portal at (online)
• Pasadena also directs applicants to the Permit Center Online page at (online)
• (626) 744-4200 (phone)

Inspection hours

The online permit portal says applicants receive call/text/email confirmation with an inspection window after scheduling. Pasadena publishes Permit Center public counter hours as Monday through Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and alternate Fridays 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., but it does not clearly publish a universal building-inspection field-hours window on the main permit pages reviewed.

Time windows

The online permit portal says applicants receive call/text/email confirmation with an inspection window after scheduling. Pasadena publishes Permit Center public counter hours as Monday through Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and alternate Fridays 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., but it does not clearly publish a universal building-inspection field-hours window on the main permit pages reviewed.

Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence depends on scope, but Pasadena indicates inspections occur during the normal construction cycle after permit issuance and before concealment/final completion. For most building jobs this generally means foundation/footing or underground inspections first if applicable, then framing/rough trade inspections, then insulation or lath/shear as applicable, and final inspections. This sequence is a standard inference from Pasadena's requirement to schedule inspections through the permitted construction process; applicants should confirm the exact required inspection list on the issued permit card or with the assigned inspector.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Pasadena's Codes and Regulations page still lists the 2022 California code set effective January 1, 2023. However, Pasadena publicly noticed and adopted the 2025 California Building Standards Code with local amendments in November 2025, and multiple current City materials state the 2025 California codes are in effect starting January 1, 2026. Based on those later official materials, the current operative code cycle appears to be the 2025 California Building, Residential, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Energy, Green Building Standards, and Fire Codes as amended by Pasadena. This is an inference from the later City adoption materials because the older codes page has not yet been fully updated.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• https://pasgis.maps.arcgis.com
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

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