La Habra, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Handles building permit intake, plan review coordination, permit issuance, and inspections for projects within the incorporated City of La Habra, Orange County, California.

Department

City of La Habra, Community & Economic Development Department, Building & Safety Division

Address

110 East La Habra Boulevard, La Habra, CA 90631

Phone

562-383-4116

Email

buildingpermits@lahabraca.gov

Website

https://www.lahabraca.gov/205/Building-Safety

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm zoning and project allowances first, especially for business uses, tenant improvements, or discretionary projects. Planning review may be needed before permit issuance.
2. Register for the City's online portal and submit the permit application and plan package. For plan-review projects, submit one PDF with the full plan set plus separate files for calculations and supporting documents.
3. Staff reviews the submittal for completeness. The city says to allow about 1 to 3 business days for this initial completeness review.
4. Pay the invoiced plan check fees. The city routes plans to applicable departments, including Building, Planning, Engineering, Public Works, and Traffic, and outside agencies when required.
5. Receive comments, revise if needed, and resubmit corrections. The city states the initial plan review takes about two weeks.
6. After all approvals and required outside clearances or fees are satisfied, permit issuance and remaining fee collection are handled in person at the counter.
7. Start work only after permit issuance, keep the approved plans and inspection card/job card on site, and request inspections before covering work.

Typical processing time: 1 to 3 business days for completeness review; about 2 weeks for the initial plan review; next-business-day inspections may be available if requested by 4 p.m. and slots remain open.

Source: City of La Habra, Community & Economic Development Department, Building & Safety Division

General Requirements

La Habra follows the California Building Standards Code rule that permits are required to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert, or demolish buildings or structures. The city also expressly says permits are required for tenant improvements, additions, demolition, interior walls, drop ceilings, and new plumbing, electrical, or mechanical work.

Required Documents

• Permit application
• plan set in PDF
• separate calculations and supplemental documents
• response letters for resubmittals
• HOA approval if applicable. Separate applications/submittals may also be required for grading, demolition, building, landscape, site lighting, site amenities, and photovoltaic systems.

Permit validity

La Habra has adopted the 2025 California codes. Under California Building Standards Law, a permit generally remains valid if work starts within 12 months after issuance; extensions may be granted in writing for up to 180 days each on a showing of justifiable cause.

Building code

La Habra Municipal Code Title 15 adopts the 2025 California Building Code, Residential Code, Green Building Standards Code, Existing Building Code, Mechanical Code, Plumbing Code, Electrical Code, and Energy Code; the city also adopts the County of Los Angeles Fire Code and the Orange County Grading and Excavation Code.

Owner-builder

Owner-builders must complete and submit the city's owner-builder declaration/disclosure forms before permit issuance. The city states the work site must be the owner's principal residence occupied for 12 months before completion, and the homeowner may not construct and then sell more than 2 structures during any 3-year period.

Contractor requirements

The city requires current and active contractor licensing for contractor applicants, and state CSLB rules require a current valid license for projects that require a building permit, use employee labor, or total $1,000 or more in labor and materials.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

The FY 2025-26 new-construction valuation table starts at $105 permit fee for a $1-$500 single-family residential valuation. The city fee summary does not clearly identify one universal minimum fee for every permit type.

Plan check fee

Building plan check is based on the building fee schedule valuation table; hourly building plan check is listed at $197. Energy calculations plan check is 31% of the building plan check fee, and green building plan check is 15% of the building plan check fee.

Permit fee formula

Primarily valuation-based for building permit and building plan check fees, with additional trade permit fees and separate citywide or outside-agency fees as applicable.

Reinspection fee

Reinspection is $123 per hour; investigation fee is $182 per hour; inspection time is billed at $162 per hour where applicable.

Penalty (no permit)

Reinspection is $123 per hour; investigation fee is $182 per hour; inspection time is billed at $162 per hour where applicable.

Payment note

After invoice issuance, payments may be made online by Visa, MasterCard, or check. The city instructs applicants to forward the payment confirmation to buildingpermits@lahabraca.gov. Invoices over $5,000 must be paid by check delivered in person or by mail. The city also states permit issuance and some remaining fee collection are handled in person at the counter.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Finish work specifically identified by the city as not requiring a permit: carpeting
• Finish work specifically identified by the city as not requiring a permit: non-structural flooring such as tile, laminate, and hardwood
• Finish work specifically identified by the city as not requiring a permit: wallpapering
• Finish work specifically identified by the city as not requiring a permit: painting

Important: These are limited examples from city guidance. The city separately states permits are required for structural work and for changes to electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems. Exemptions do not override zoning, fire, stormwater, health, floodplain, or other agency requirements.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Call Building & Safety at 562-383-4116 to request inspections; the department also lists an inspection request voicemail line at 562-383-4122. Portal link (online)
• 562-383-4116 (phone)
• 562-383-4122 (phone)

Inspection hours

The city says inspections are conducted Monday through Friday, although City Hall is closed Fridays. Requests received by 4 p.m. are conducted the next business day when availability permits. A separate city handout says callers may request AM or PM service windows.

Typical inspection sequence: Request inspections before covering work; keep the permit, approved plans, and inspection card/checklist on site; complete periodic progress inspections as required for the scope of work; obtain final sign-off before final contractor payment.

Additional Resources

• Building code: La Habra Municipal Code Title 15 adopts the 2025 California Building Code, Residential Code, Green Building Standards Code, Existing Building Code, Mechanical Code, Plumbing Code, Electrical Code, and Energy Code; the city also adopts the County of Los Angeles Fire Code and the Orange County Grading and Excavation Code.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• https://www.lahabraca.gov/211/Plan-Submittal-Guidelines
• https://www.lahabraca.gov/215/Inspections
• https://www.lahabraca.gov/224/Required-Permits
• https://www.lahabraca.gov/208/Owner-Builder-Information
• https://ecode360.com/42844189
• https://www.dgs.ca.gov/BSC/Codes
• https://www.dgs.ca.gov/-/media/Divisions/BSC/07-About/Law/CBSC_LAW_2025-Eff01-01-2026.pdf
• https://www.cslb.ca.gov/consumers/hire_a_contractor/Building_Permit_Requirements.aspx
• https://www.cslb.ca.gov/consumers/hire_a_contractor/What_Kind_Of_Contractor.aspx
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

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