Los Alamitos, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

City of Los Alamitos building permits within city limits. The City FAQ states Los Alamitos does not serve Rossmoor; Rossmoor work is handled by Orange County.

Department

Development Services Department, Building & Safety Division

Address

3191 Katella Avenue, Los Alamitos, CA 90720

Phone

(562) 431-3538; Building & Safety staff directory lists ext. 302

Email

building@cityoflosalamitos.org

Website

https://cityoflosalamitos.org/412/Building-Safety

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Create a Permit Center account and start a new application, or use the walk-in counter during posted counter hours if your project is suitable for in-person submittal.
2. Complete the permit application and upload PDF plans and supporting documents through the Permit Center. City FAQs also state traditional submittals use 3 plan sets, 2 sets of structural calculations, and 2 sets of Title 24 energy calculations.
3. City staff reviews the application for completeness and assesses plan check fees. The City states someone from City Hall will contact the applicant with the plan check fee, which can be paid by phone or credit card through the Permit Center workflow.
4. Respond to plan check comments and submit revisions if required.
5. After approval, pay remaining permit fees and obtain the issued permit.
6. Request inspections through the Permit Center; the City also provides an inspection run list online. For Solar PV permits, requests submitted before 5:00 p.m. are typically scheduled for the next business day.

Typical processing time: City FAQ says first plan check review is generally 10 business days and second review 5 business days. The City's solar PV page says standard solar permits not approved over the counter should be reviewed in about 1 week.

Source: Development Services Department, Building & Safety Division

General Requirements

The City says most major projects require a permit. Common permit types listed by the City are building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and block wall permits.

Required Documents

• Permit application
• plans
• supporting documents
• and, depending on project type, structural calculations, Title 24 energy calculations, owner-builder forms, property owner authorization letters for tenant improvements or agents, smoke and carbon monoxide detector affidavit, and trade-specific documentation. Contractors and subcontractors must maintain a completed subcontractor list form at the job site.

Permit validity

A City expedited EVCS checklist states permits expire 1 year after issuance or 180 days after the last inspection passed, whichever is later.

Building code

The current Building & Safety page states Los Alamitos has enforced the 2022 California Building Standards Code, with local amendments, since January 1, 2023. Note: an older City FAQ page still lists 2019 code editions, so the newer Building & Safety page appears to be the current authority.

Owner-builder

The City publishes an owner-builder information handout explaining owner-as-worker, owner-as-contractor, and owner-as-employer roles and risks. City FAQ also says permits may be issued to an owner for work on a single-family or duplex property if the owner lives in one unit, and to certain non-resident owners on limited-value projects.

Contractor requirements

Permits may be issued to licensed contractors. Contractors working in Los Alamitos must hold a City business license. If they have employees, a workers' compensation certificate must be on file; contractors working alone may waive that requirement but must show a pocket copy of their California contractor license. Subcontractors also need City business licenses.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Building valuation-based fees start at $224.77 for projects valued at $1-$500, plus a $56.51 building permit issuance fee and applicable surcharges. Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing permits each show a $56.51 issuance fee before unit fees.

Plan check fee

City FAQ says building plan check is 65% of the building permit fee, mechanical 25% of the mechanical permit fee, electrical 50% of the electrical permit fee, and plumbing 65% of the plumbing permit fee. The fee schedule also includes hourly plan check items for some permit classes.

Permit fee formula

Building permit fees are valuation-based. Trade permits use issuance fees plus unit-based fees. Some permit categories use flat fees, including residential solar.

Reinspection fee

Fee schedule lists reinspection fees including BL 88 at $113.03, mechanical BL 115 at $224.77 per inspection, and plumbing BL 143 at $224.77 per hour. Additional plan review for revisions is also charged in several permit classes.

Payment note

The Permit Center supports credit card payments. The City states staff will contact applicants with plan check fee amounts and those fees can be paid over the phone or by credit card through the Permit Center workflow.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Construction of block wall less than 30 inches high
• Construction of decks and platforms less than 30 inches high, open walkways, and driveways on grade
• Replacement of up to 400 square feet of roofing on an existing building in any 12-month period
• Installation of ceramic tile on floors and countertops, and on walls not more than 48 inches high
• Replacement of existing broken or damaged ceramic tiles
• Plaster patching not in excess of 10 square yards
• Construction of pools not over 2 feet in depth, without electrical or plumbing fixtures
• Construction of cases, counters, and partitions less than 5 feet high
• Construction of retaining walls and planter boxes under 30 inches high measured from bottom of footings

Important: The City attributes these exceptions to California Building Code section 105.2 and frames them as common exceptions only. Other permits or approvals may still apply depending on scope, location, utilities, fire/life-safety impacts, or zoning. The same FAQ notes residential projects over $1,000 trigger smoke and carbon monoxide detector certification requirements.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Request inspections through the Permit Center at https (online)
• Request inspections through the Permit Center at https (online)
• (562) 431-3538 (phone)

Inspection hours

Building & Safety lists A.M. inspections from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and P.M. inspections from 12:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. FAQ states inspections are performed Monday through Thursday beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Typical inspection sequence: Sequence depends on scope. The City requires inspection after permitted work is installed and before final approval. Project-specific city materials indicate inspectors may require additional inspections depending on scope, and permit holders must have the permit card, approved job copy of plans, and manufacturer instructions available when applicable.

Additional Resources

• Building code: The current Building & Safety page states Los Alamitos has enforced the 2022 California Building Standards Code, with local amendments, since January 1, 2023. Note: an older City FAQ page still lists 2019 code editions, so the newer Building & Safety page appears to be the current authority.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• https://cityoflosalamitos.org/DocumentCenter/View/238/Zoning-Map-PDF
• https://cityoflosalamitos.org/DocumentCenter/View/5328/Master-Fee-Schedule
• https://cityoflosalamitos.org/DocumentCenter/View/202/Permit-Application-PDF
• https://cityoflosalamitos.org/DocumentCenter/View/201/Owner-Builder-Information-PDF
• https://cityoflosalamitos.org/415/SolarAPP
• https://cityoflosalamitos.org/512/Solar-Photovoltaic-PV-Permit
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

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