Sierra Madre, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Applies to building permits within incorporated Sierra Madre city limits in Los Angeles County. Separate City permits are also required for individual trades as applicable; Sierra Madre does not use an "all-in-one" permit.

Department

City of Sierra Madre Planning & Community Preservation Department, Building & Safety Division

Address

232 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre, CA 91024

Phone

(626) 355-7138

Email

permitsystem@cityofsierramadre.com (online permitting support) , completed traditional permit applications may also be emailed to permitsystem@cityofsierramadre.com

Website

https://www.sierramadreca.gov/cityhall/departments/planning_community_preservation_department/building___safety

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm whether the project needs only ministerial permit review or also discretionary planning/zoning review. Sierra Madre's project review flow starts with Planning/Zoning review, then plan check review by Planning, Public Works, Structural, Fire, and Building & Safety as applicable.
2. Choose a submittal path: create an Accela Citizen Portal account for online filing, or use the traditional process by submitting in person or emailing completed applications to permitsystem@cityofsierramadre.com.
3. Submit the permit application. If the job requires plan check, also submit the City's Plan Check Application, construction plans, and supporting documents. For residential new construction and additions, the City requires one complete set of plans and two sets of supporting documents, with stamped/signature requirements when required by California law.
4. Include applicant qualification documents. Contractors must provide photo ID, CSLB license/classification, City of Sierra Madre business license, workers' compensation proof if required, and a notarized owner authorization letter if acting as agent. Owners must provide photo ID, proof of ownership, entity/trust documentation if applicable, and owner-builder paperwork if applying as owner-builder.
5. Pay applicable fees after staff review. The City states staff will contact the applicant for payment; once paid, the City processes the permit and emails the receipt, permit, and inspection record.
6. After issuance, begin work and call for required inspections. The City's project review flow ends with building permit issuance, inspections, and final permit/certificate of occupancy.
7. Public processing time estimate: not publicly posted on the main permit pages reviewed. Inspection requests must be submitted at least one business day before the desired date.

Source: City of Sierra Madre Planning & Community Preservation Department, Building & Safety Division

General Requirements

Sierra Madre states a building permit is required for all projects involving alteration of a structure, in whole or in part, including removal and replacement of wall or ceiling coverings, relocation of non-bearing partition walls, and property line walls/fences. Separate trade permits are required as applicable.

Required Documents

• Building permit application
• plan check application for projects requiring plan review
• construction plans and supporting documents
• applicant ID
• contractor or ownership documentation
• City business license for contractors
• workers' compensation documentation if required
• notarized authorization letter where an agent is applying
• owner-builder affidavit/acknowledgment for owner-builder applications.

Permit validity

The City's building permit form states the permit is void if a meaningful inspection is not completed within 180 days of issuance. Extension requests must be submitted before expiration; the City's extension form allows for 90-day or 180-day extensions if approved by the Building Official.

Building code

City plan-check requirements identify the applicable codes as the 2022 California Building Code with local amendments, plus the 2022 California Plumbing Code, 2022 California Mechanical Code, 2022 California Electrical Code, 2022 California Fire Code, 2022 California Residential Code, and 2022 California Green Building Standards Code.

Owner-builder

Sierra Madre requires the owner-builder acknowledgment package before issuing an owner-builder permit. The materials warn that owner-builders become the responsible party of record, may assume liability for worker injuries, and cannot have an agent sign the notice without prior approval from the permitting authority.

Contractor requirements

Permits may only be pulled by a California licensed contractor or a property owner. Contractors must provide proof of CSLB license/classification and, per the permit form, certify they are properly registered/licensed as required by the City and State. Sierra Madre also requires a City business license and workers' compensation proof if applicable.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$437 for building permit valuation of $1 to $4,000 (FY 2024-2025 schedule)

Plan check fee

Over-the-counter plan check is $597. Full plan check starts at $847 for valuation $1 to $4,000 and scales upward by valuation. Expedited plan check is 150% of the plan check fee.

Permit fee formula

Building permit and plan check fees are valuation-based for most building work. The City states project valuation must reflect the International Code Council's latest Building Valuation Data. Separate fixed fees apply to many trade permits and some over-the-counter reviews.

Trade permit fee

Building permit and plan check fees are valuation-based for most building work. The City states project valuation must reflect the International Code Council's latest Building Valuation Data. Separate fixed fees apply to many trade permits and some over-the-counter reviews.

Reinspection fee

Request for reinspection (no-show or additional inspection) is $190.

Penalty (no permit)

Commencing work without a permit is charged at double fee.

Payment note

The City states staff will contact the applicant for payment after receipt of the application. After payment, the City emails the receipt, permit, and inspection record. The fee schedule also lists actual-cost credit card surcharges.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• City materials reviewed do not publish a standalone Sierra Madre exempt-work handout on the main permit pages.
• Because Sierra Madre applies the 2022 California Building and Residential Codes, standard code-based permit exemptions generally include minor detached accessory structures below code thresholds, certain low fences, some finish work such as painting/papering/cabinetry/flooring/countertops, and other items listed in CBC/CRC Section 105.2.
• Sierra Madre's own FY 2024-2025 fee schedule specifically notes repair of lightweight material fences as permit-exempt.

Important: Even when a building permit may be exempt, separate electrical, plumbing, mechanical, grading, fire, zoning, historic-preservation, encroachment, or public works approvals may still apply. Sierra Madre expressly requires separate permits for each trade as applicable.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Inspections page (online)
• online permitting information page (online)
• (626) 355-7138 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Requests must be submitted at least one business day before the desired date; Monday inspections must be scheduled by 5:00 p.m.

Inspection hours

General inspection appointments are available Monday through Friday. Requests must be submitted at least one business day before the desired date; Monday inspections must be scheduled by 5:00 p.m. on the prior Thursday. For solar inspections, the City publishes morning and afternoon windows of 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., with two-hour windows available the day of inspection by phone.

Time windows

General inspection appointments are available Monday through Friday. Requests must be submitted at least one business day before the desired date; Monday inspections must be scheduled by 5:00 p.m. on the prior Thursday. For solar inspections, the City publishes morning and afternoon windows of 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., with two-hour windows available the day of inspection by phone.

Typical inspection sequence: The City's permit form lists foundation; frame/fire stops/bracing/bolts; furnace/location-gas vent-ducts; insulation; interior lath; exterior lath; house number posted; and final. Additional inspections may apply depending on scope and the separate trade permits issued.

Additional Resources

• Building code: City plan-check requirements identify the applicable codes as the 2022 California Building Code with local amendments, plus the 2022 California Plumbing Code, 2022 California Mechanical Code, 2022 California Electrical Code, 2022 California Fire Code, 2022 California Residential Code, and 2022 California Green Building Standards Code.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Building & Safety permits page
• Building & Safety page
• Online permitting system
• Inspection page
• Plan check submittal requirements
• Fee schedule
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

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