Whittier, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Applies within incorporated City of Whittier limits. Properties with a Whittier mailing address in unincorporated area are generally handled by Los Angeles County, not the City.

Department

Community Development Department, Building & Safety Division

Address

13230 Penn Street, Whittier, CA 90602

Phone

(562) 567-9320

Email

ccastillo@cityofwhittier.org , comdev@cityofwhittier.org

Website

https://www.cityofwhittier.org/government/community-development/building-safety/plan-check-permits-and-inspections

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm zoning and planning requirements first. Whittier states projects should be evaluated by Planning Services before Building & Safety plan review, especially for new construction, additions, changes of use, demolition, or exterior changes.
2. Create an account in the City's Accela portal for online permit applications. The city publishes an online step-by-step process: log in, choose the record type, enter applicant and site information, upload required documents, review, and submit.
3. If your permit type is not handled fully online or staff requests counter processing, submit the city application and required hard-copy plans/supporting documents at the Building Division counter during posted counter hours. The city FAQ says it does not accept permit applications by mail, email, or fax.
4. Pay required permit and plan review fees. Building permit fees are valuation-based, with separate issuance, technology, state, and plan review charges as applicable.
5. Respond to plan check corrections if issued and obtain outside approvals required for your project, such as school fees, SCAQMD demolition clearance, or other agency signoff.
6. After all reviews are cleared and fees are paid, Whittier issues the permit. Keep the approved stamped plans and job card on site for inspections.
7. Schedule inspections online, by phone, or at the counter as work progresses, and obtain final inspection approval before closing out the permit.

Typical processing time: Whittier does not post a single citywide building permit turnaround time on its Building & Safety pages. Inspection requests received before 3:00 p.m. are typically scheduled for the next business day if capacity allows.

Source: Community Development Department, Building & Safety Division

General Requirements

Whittier requires a building permit before erecting, constructing, enlarging, altering, moving, improving, removing, converting, or demolishing a building or structure. Separate electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits may also be required.

Required Documents

• At minimum, the city's FAQ lists a completed building permit application, four or five plan sets as required by project type, two copies of supporting documents such as photos, plans, and calculations, and fee payment. The online portal also requires document uploads by record type. Depending on scope, applicants may also need energy calculations, structural calculations, school fee receipts, and planning approvals.

Permit validity

The city FAQ says a permit remains valid for 180 days from issuance and is extended 180 days each time work passes inspection. If work has not started or has stalled, the permit holder may request a 180-day extension in writing with a completion timeline. Note: an older owner declaration form available on the city site refers to starting work within one year, but the FAQ appears to be the current public guidance.

Building code

Whittier states that as of January 1, 2023 it adopted the 2022 California Building Standards Code. The city also lists the 2025 California Electrical Code, the 2023 Los Angeles County Fire Code, the 1997 Uniform Housing Code, and the 1997 Uniform Code for Abatement of Dangerous Buildings on its Plan Check, Permits, and Inspections page.

Owner-builder

Permits may be issued to owners of residential properties or their authorized agent. The city publishes an owner-builder notice requiring owner acknowledgment, and warns that owners who hire anyone other than immediate family or licensed subcontractors may be treated as employers for tax and workers' compensation purposes.

Contractor requirements

California contractors performing work valued at $500 or more for labor and materials must hold a current CSLB license. Whittier also requires contractors and subcontractors doing business in the city to maintain a current City of Whittier business license. For non-residential projects, Whittier states mechanical, electrical, and plumbing permits are issued only to appropriately licensed contractors, except where the Building Official allows otherwise.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Building valuation table starts at $44.00 for projects valued up to $500, plus other applicable charges.

Plan check fee

Building plan review is 65% of the permit fee. Additional charges may apply, including 10% of the plan check fee for state disabled access requirements and 10% of the plan check fee for state energy compliance requirements.

Permit fee formula

Primarily valuation-based for building permits using the city's valuation table and current building valuation factors, plus fixed issuance and technology fees and any applicable state surcharges.

Reinspection fee

Re-inspection or re-plan check after the third correction of the same item is $141.00 per hour.

Penalty (no permit)

Engineering penalty fee is double the permit cost where applicable.

Payment note

The FAQ says counter submittals may be paid by cash, check, or credit card. The online Accela system supports electronic tracking and payment.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• The city FAQ expressly lists painting as exempt from permit requirements.
• The city FAQ expressly lists wallpapering as exempt from permit requirements.
• The city FAQ expressly lists installing carpet or flooring as exempt from permit requirements.
• The city FAQ expressly lists window coverings as exempt from permit requirements.

Important: Whittier says permit exemptions are limited and that, with only a few exceptions, permits are required before most construction-related work. The city directs applicants to contact Building & Safety to confirm whether a specific scope is exempt.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Online via the Accela portal at (online)
• (562) 567-9320 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

The cutoff for next-business-day inspection scheduling is 3:00 p.m.

Inspection hours

Inspection requests may be made Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. according to the FAQ. Building inspectors are also available by appointment Monday through Friday from approximately 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The cutoff for next-business-day inspection scheduling is 3:00 p.m.

Time windows

Inspection requests may be made Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. according to the FAQ. Building inspectors are also available by appointment Monday through Friday from approximately 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The cutoff for next-business-day inspection scheduling is 3:00 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: Whittier notes that most projects require multiple inspections. The permit holder must keep the approved plans and job card on site; the inspector records results on the job card and may issue a correction notice before the next phase can proceed. All work must pass final inspection.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Whittier states that as of January 1, 2023 it adopted the 2022 California Building Standards Code. The city also lists the 2025 California Electrical Code, the 2023 Los Angeles County Fire Code, the 1997 Uniform Housing Code, and the 1997 Uniform Code for Abatement of Dangerous Buildings on its Plan Check, Permits, and Inspections page.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• https://www.cityofwhittier.org/government/community-development/building-safety/applications-and-forms
• https://www.cityofwhittier.org/services/online-resources/frequently-asked-questions/-selcat-9
• https://www.cityofwhittier.org/government/community-development/planning-services/development-code-and-zoning-map-update
• https://www.cityofwhittier.org/government/city-clerk/online-document-archive
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

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