Westlake Village, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

The City of Westlake Village contracts with Los Angeles County for building and safety services. In addition to the County permit, Westlake Village Planning requires a City zoning clearance before issuance of a building permit for most improvements; qualifying residential express solar projects are exempt from the zoning-clearance step.

Department

Los Angeles County Public Works, Building and Safety Division

Address

Calabasas-Malibu District Office, 27001 Agoura Rd, Suite 250, Calabasas, CA 91301

Phone

(818) 880-4150

Email

BSD-Calabasas@dpw.lacounty.gov

Website

https://pw.lacounty.gov/building-and-safety/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the property is actually within City limits using the Westlake Village Zoning and Neighborhood Finder; many properties with a Westlake Village mailing address are outside the City.
2. If the project is in Westlake Village, obtain City zoning clearance first. Residential applicants must also obtain HOA approval if applicable, then submit the zoning-clearance application online with plans, exterior material/color specs, window/door information, and proof of HOA approval. The City charges a $50 zoning-clearance fee.
3. Apply for the County building permit through EPIC-LA. Submit the permit application, pay plan check and/or permit fees, and upload plans, specifications, and supporting documents when required.
4. If County staff issue an agency referral, obtain the required outside approvals before permit issuance. Calabasas referral sheets note approvals should be submitted 48 hours before permit issuance.
5. After plan check approval or if no plan check is required, and after all agency approvals and fees are complete, the County issues the permit.
6. During construction, request inspections from the permit-issuing office. For contract-city permits such as Westlake Village, the County instructs applicants to call the local district office; requests must be made at least 24 hours in advance and inspections occur during regular working hours.

Typical processing time: Westlake Village does not publish a zoning-clearance turnaround on the cited pages. Los Angeles County states over-the-counter plan check may be available for projects reviewable in 15 minutes or less; otherwise turnaround varies with project complexity and office volume.

Source: Los Angeles County Public Works, Building and Safety Division

General Requirements

A City zoning clearance must be approved before issuance of a building permit for improvements in Westlake Village, and the County building permit is required unless the work is exempt under County code. The County describes a permit as required for construction work unless exempt and notes some simple repair/replacement permits may not require plan check.

Required Documents

• For City zoning clearance, Westlake Village requires the online application, plans, specifications for exterior materials/colors, windows and doors, and HOA approval proof for residential projects. For County permits, EPIC-LA accepts plans, specifications, and supporting documents
• County homeowner guidance says most construction projects require an accurate detailed set of plans, specifications, and supporting documents, and engineered plans must be signed and sealed where required.

Permit validity

County plan applications expire if no permit is issued within 12 months after application; the Building Official may grant two extensions on written request with fees. Issued permits expire if work does not start within 12 months or if work lapses for more than 180 days; extensions of 180 days may be granted on written request.

Building code

Westlake Village Ordinance No. 298-22 adopts by reference Los Angeles County Titles 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, and 33, as amended and in effect January 1, 2023, which in turn adopt and amend the 2022 California Building Standards Code family. The County also lists its current codes as effective January 1, 2023.

Owner-builder

A property owner of a one- or two-family residence may obtain permits as an owner-builder for their principal residence when the improvements are not intended for sale within one year after completion, per Business and Professions Code section 7044.

Contractor requirements

The County states a permit may be issued only to a contractor with the appropriate CSLB license, to a qualifying property owner in certain cases, or to an authorized agent representing one of them. Most construction projects require qualified, licensed contractors.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

The County fee schedule adds a $79.98 permit issuance fee to all building permits. In the Westlake Village building valuation table effective July 1, 2025, the lowest published building permit fee is $126.91 for low-valuation work in the "without energy and disabled access check" column; low-valuation fees increase depending on occupancy and review type. Westlake Village also charges a separate $50 zoning-clearance fee.

Plan check fee

The valuation table shows the minimum published plan-check fee as $237.27, and the standard-plan minimum plan-check fee is $436.34.

Permit fee formula

Building permit and plan-check fees are primarily valuation-based using the Westlake Village valuation table, with fixed/add-on fees for issuance, records, certificates, conceptual review, geotechnical review, and similar items.

Reinspection fee

The published Westlake Village building fee schedule does not list a general flat reinspection fee for ordinary projects, but it does list specific reinspection fees for some regulated structures.

Penalty (no permit)

Penalties include an investigation fee for work without a permit equal to the permit fee with a $975.76 minimum, reduced to $487.88 for one- or two-family owner-builder work, plus noncompliance fees of $293.04 for Group R-3 and $586.52 for other occupancies.

Payment note

Westlake Village zoning-clearance fees can be paid online by credit card, by mail, or in person. The County states EPIC-LA is used to pay permit fees online; the City uses Authorize.net for online planning-fee credit card transactions.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective July 1, 2025).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached accessory buildings such as tool/storage sheds, playhouses, and shade structures not over 120 square feet, not over 12 feet high, with roof projection not over 24 inches.
• Fences not used as barriers for private swimming pools, spas, or hot tubs, if masonry/concrete fences do not exceed 6 feet and are set back from public ways at least the fence height, and other-material fences do not exceed 6 feet.
• Tanks not storing hazardous material, within the County code size/support limits.
• Retaining walls not over 4 feet high unless supporting surcharge or impounding certain liquids.
• Certain antenna towers, light standards, flagpoles, and small tree houses within County code limits.
• Separate electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permit exemptions also exist for minor repair work, leak repairs without replacement/rearrangement, and portable equipment; see the County work-exempt page for the full trade-specific lists.

Important: Exemption from permit requirements does not authorize work that violates zoning, building, or other laws. The County also notes separate plumbing, electrical, and mechanical permits may still be required even where a building permit is exempt. In Westlake Village, most improvements still require City zoning-clearance review before permit issuance unless specifically exempt, such as qualifying express residential solar.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• EPIC-LA (online)
• (818) 880-4150 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Inspection requests must be made at least 24 hours in advance, and inspections are performed only during regular working hours.

Inspection hours

Inspection requests must be made at least 24 hours in advance, and inspections are performed only during regular working hours. The Calabasas-Malibu District Office hours are Monday through Thursday 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: Permit issued and inspection card posted; required inspections requested at each construction phase; inspector reviews for code compliance and consistency with approved plans and permit scope; job proceeds to next phase after approval; final inspection closes the permit; buildings and structures then receive a Certificate of Occupancy.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Westlake Village Ordinance No. 298-22 adopts by reference Los Angeles County Titles 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, and 33, as amended and in effect January 1, 2023, which in turn adopt and amend the 2022 California Building Standards Code family. The County also lists its current codes as effective January 1, 2023.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• https://www.wlv.org/218/Zoning-Clearances
• https://www.wlv.org/163/Building-Safety
• https://www.wlv.org/544/Apply-Pay-Online
• https://www.wlv.org/solar
• https://apps.gis.lacounty.gov/bsd/bpv/
• https://pw.lacounty.gov/building-and-safety/permits/workexempt.shtml
• https://pw.lacounty.gov/building-and-safety/homeowner
• https://pw.lacounty.gov/building-and-safety/inspections/
• https://westlakevillage.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/sidebar/index.html?appid=eaf2dfc8d0db46fd8021a4f2f414f3d8
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

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