Santa Fe Springs, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

The Building & Safety Division administers permit review, issuance, and inspections for residential, industrial, and commercial buildings and structures within the City of Santa Fe Springs, using the City's adopted Los Angeles County and California building codes.

Department

City of Santa Fe Springs Building & Safety Division

Address

11710 E. Telegraph Road, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670

Phone

(562) 868-0511 ext. 7560

Email

No general Building & Safety email published on the city Building page , construction waste management approvals are directed to info@munienvironmental.com

Website

https://www.santafesprings.org/departments/planning_and_development_department/building/index.php

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm whether your scope requires a permit by checking the city Building FAQ/process guide or calling Building & Safety at (562) 868-0511 ext. 7560.
2. Prepare a permit worksheet and any required plans, plot plan, product information, and supporting declarations. The city posts a permit worksheet, owner-builder declaration, licensed contractor declaration, and other forms on its Building Forms page.
3. For simple permits, visit the Building & Safety Permit Counter Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.; City Hall is closed every Friday.
4. For plan check projects, upload plans and the permit worksheet through the city's Plan Submittal Portal. Building & Safety forwards submittals to Planning for zoning clearance where applicable.
5. If Planning discretionary review is required, contact Planning before submitting for plan check. The city notes plan check invoices are issued through the portal.
6. Complete any required Construction Waste Management Plan approval before permit issuance.
7. After plan approval and fee payment, obtain the permit and build exactly to the approved plans.
8. Request inspections as work progresses by phone or through the online inspection request form, and obtain final inspection approval to close the permit.

Typical processing time: The city says issuance varies by project. Some permits can be issued over the counter, while others require plans to be left for additional review. No standard turnaround time is posted.

Source: City of Santa Fe Springs Building & Safety Division

General Requirements

Permits are required for all new construction and for many repairs, replacements, additions, alterations, and system changes. The city specifically lists structural changes, attached structures, detached structures over 120 square feet, reroofing, block walls over 24 inches high, new windows, new patio covers or carports, swimming pools, drywall, interior modifications, and changes to electrical, plumbing, or mechanical systems. Moving or adding an electrical outlet requires a permit.

Required Documents

• Typically a permit worksheet and plans. Depending on the project, the city may require a plot plan, construction plans, product or kit documentation, licensed contractor declaration, owner-builder declaration, workers' compensation documentation, and a Construction Waste Management Plan.

Permit validity

Permits generally expire after 180 days if no inspections have been made. A project is not legally complete until final inspection passes.

Building code

The city Building page states Santa Fe Springs currently uses the 2025 California Building Standards Code, 2025 California Green Building Standards Code, and 2025 California Existing Building Code, and the division enforces the city's adopted Los Angeles County building codes.

Owner-builder

A homeowner may obtain a permit and do the work, but if hiring workers may need workers' compensation insurance. If not hiring anyone, the owner must sign an Owner-Builder Statement.

Contractor requirements

Any contractor licensed by the State of California can obtain a permit. The city directs applicants to the California Contractors State License Board for license verification.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Permit issuance fee is $44.97; building permit fees are then calculated under Table 1A, which starts at $71.09 for valuation from $0 to $700

Plan check fee

Building plan check fees are 85% of the required building permit fee per Building Code Section 107.2

Permit fee formula

Building permit fees are valuation-based under Table 1A, with stepped rates plus code surcharges. There is also a 2% plan maintenance fee on the building permit fee, with a $16.12 minimum and $686.32 maximum.

Penalty (no permit)

Investigation fee for work without a required permit is equal to the permit fee but not less than $548.65.

Payment note

For portal submittals, the city states the permit counter processes the plan check application and sends the plan check invoice through the portal. The published fee schedule also states fees are adjusted annually based on CPI-U beginning July 1.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Wallpapering, painting, carpeting, and similar finish work
• Fences 6 feet high or lower
• Platforms, decks, and walks 30 inches high or less above grade or not over a basement
• Structures under 120 square feet in size, though an electrical permit may still be required if applicable
• Normal replacement or repair of plumbing, mechanical, and electrical fixtures such as changing water faucets or replacing switches

Important: Other agency reviews may still be required. Replacing a water heater or adding a permanently wired light fixture does require a permit, and applicants should call the city to confirm whether a specific scope is exempt.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• online request form at (online)
• daily inspection schedule link at (online)
• (562) 868-0511 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

The city says inspections are done 24 hours in advance.

Inspection hours

The city says inspections are done 24 hours in advance. The permit counter is open Monday through Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.; City Hall is closed Fridays. A daily inspection schedule is posted separately, but the city does not publish a standard inspection arrival window on the main Building page.

Time windows

The city says inspections are done 24 hours in advance. The permit counter is open Monday through Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.; City Hall is closed Fridays. A daily inspection schedule is posted separately, but the city does not publish a standard inspection arrival window on the main Building page.

Typical inspection sequence: The city says inspections occur at specific points depending on the work being performed and that final inspection is required to complete the project. Its permit guide gives retaining wall examples including footing inspection, inspection after block and steel placement before grouting, inspection after backfill, and final inspection.

Additional Resources

• Building code: The city Building page states Santa Fe Springs currently uses the 2025 California Building Standards Code, 2025 California Green Building Standards Code, and 2025 California Existing Building Code, and the division enforces the city's adopted Los Angeles County building codes.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• https://www.santafesprings.org/departments/planning_and_development_department/building/building_forms.php
• https://www.santafesprings.org/departments/planning_and_development_department/planning/planning_handouts_and_maps.php
• https://www.santafesprings.org/departments/planning_and_development_department/building/solarapp.php
• https://library.municode.com/ca/santa_fe_springs/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITXVLAUS_CH155ZO_GEPR_S155.001TI
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

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