How do I apply for building permits in Los Angeles?

Starting a construction or renovation project in Los Angeles, California requires more than just a vision and a budget. One critical step is obtaining the proper building permits. These permits ensure your project complies with the Los Angeles Building Codes and Zoning Codes, as well as California building, plumbing, electric, and energy codes. Without a permit, you risk fines, delays, or even having to undo completed work.

When do you need a building permit?

Not every construction project requires a permit, but many do. If you're installing a sign, building a new ADU, or opening up a new restaurant in Los Angeles, you need a building permit. In Los Angeles, permits are required for:

• New construction of homes or commercial buildings

• Installing wall signs, monument signs, pylon signs, and blade signs

• Tenant improvement and remodeling commercial buildings

• Major renovations affecting structural elements

• Electrical, plumbing, or mechanical system upgrades

• Demolition of buildings or parts of buildings

  
  

If you are unsure if your project needs a permit, always contact the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) for clarification before starting work.

Preparing and submitting your application

Before applying for a building permit, gather all necessary documents to avoid delays:

• Detailed plans and drawings of the proposed work

• Engineering sheets or structural calculations prepared by a licensed architect or engineer if required

• Site plan showing property boundaries, existing structures, and proposed changes

• Project description explaining the scope of work

• Property owner contact information if you are not the owner

• Energy compliance documentation, also known as Title 24 energy report

• Application forms as required by the permit type

Once you have all the required documents, you can submit your application to Los Angeles through the city’s e-permitting portal, which allows you to upload documents and track your application status.

What happens after you apply

Once your application is submitted, the city will issue plan check fees which must be paid before they will review your application. Once paid, Los Angeles reviews your application for compliance with state and local codes. This review process can take four to six weeks or longer depending on the complexity of your project.

Next, the city will issue corrections, where the city asks you to revise your submission. Corrections may include requests for you to do the following:

• Revise your plans to comply with state and local codes

• Add missing information or measurements, to your plans

• Clarify unclear details on your plans

• Create a plot plan on a template provided by Los Angeles

• Create and upload your Title 24 Energy Report documentation

• Remove proposed elements that are prohibited by the codes or Zoning ordinances

  
  

The city also issues a Clearance Summary Worksheet that lists all the agencies who must provide clearance before your permit will be approved. These may include the Planning Department, Department of Cultural Affairs, Department of Transportation, Fire Department, and more depending on the project scope and Zoning. The city will also determine if you need any special approvals, such as a Variance, Conditional Use Permit, or Zoning Permit. Once you get all clearances and resubmit your corrected plans, the city will review your application again. If necessary, the city will issue further rounds of corrections until your permit is approved.

Common mistakes in the permit process

If your permit application is incomplete or doesn't comply with local codes, Los Angeles will reject your submission or request corrections. Mistakes, incomplete applications, and misunderstandings of the code can delay your project by weeks or months. Common mistakes include:

• Accidentally applying for the wrong permit type

• Not knowing if your project needs a pre-inspection report before applying

• Applying for permits in the wrong jurisdiction

• Filling out the wrong application forms

• Uploading the application materials to the wrong portal

• Applying for clearances in the wrong order

• Not including all the required documents, such as the Title 24 energy report

• Not knowing who to contact when your application is put on hold or slips through the cracks at the city

• Omitting required information on the cover page of the project plans

• Forgetting building frontages, project dimensions, or other measurements critical to the permit type

• Not contacting the correct city department when you have questions

• Missing a supplemental permit that is required in conjunction with your Building permit, such as a Business License

• Not knowing who to contact to get city mistakes fixed

• Referencing the wrong codes

• Misunderstanding corrections issued by the Building Department

• Not including the right documentation when applying for clearances

  
  

These mistakes can significantly slow down your project and lead to costly delays. When applications are incomplete or contain errors, they will be rejected or returned for corrections, requiring additional time to resubmit. This can result in a cascading effect, pushing back timelines and potentially increasing costs. In some cases, mistakes might necessitate starting the entire permitting process over, which can further extend the project's duration.

Permitting can be a headache, but Carter Permit Consulting can get your permit approved

Applying for building permits in Los Angeles can be a confusing process. The city doesn't offer clear step-by-step instructions, and the portal isn't intuitive for new users. Corrections issued by plan checkers can be vague, confusing, or even contradictory. Sometimes your application slips through the cracks, and weeks can go by without your permit application making any progress. Mistakes can make your permit drag on for weeks or months longer than necessary, causing missed deadlines and delayed project timelines.

There is an easier way. Carter Permit Consulting can take the headache out of the permit process. We are a full service permit expediting and consulting company that can take care of your next Los Angeles permit. We'll take care of the permit process from start to finish, including filling out application materials, submitting to the city, paying fees, resubmitting corrections, seeking clearances, relentlessly following up with city officials, pulling the permit, and even conducting final inspections.

Why trust Carter Permit Consulting with your Los Angeles building permit?

At Cater Permit Consulting, our permit expeditors have over a decade of combined experience in get permits approved in Los Angeles. Our team has a comprehensive knowledge of the permit process from start to finish, including the following:

• Comprehensive Knowledge of the Local Codes

  Even before submitting your permit application, our team's expertise can help your project get faster permit approvals. Our team can pre-check your plans for adherence to the Los Angeles Building Code, which may help your project avoid multiple rounds of corrections and costly redesigns. This expertise not only saves you time but also reduces the risk of delays to your project timeline.

  
  

• Streamlined Application Process

  Carter Permit Consulting specializes in streamlining the application process from submittal to permit issuance. From gathering necessary documentation to filling out complex forms, our team ensures that every detail is meticulously handled. With over a decade of experience in pulling permits in Los Angeles, we know exactly how to submit your building permit the correct way the first time, which documents are required, and how to fill them out. We even take care of preparing Plot Plans and Title 24 Energy Documents, which are required for all electrical projects in Los Angeles. Our streamlined approach saves you from unnecessary frustration, delays, and wasted time navigating the permit process yourself. Our organized, thoughtful approach minimizes the likelihood of errors that could lead to rejections or corrections, allowing you to focus on other critical aspects of your project.

• Efficient Communication with Los Angeles

  Effective communication with city departments is crucial for a successful permit application. The team at Carter Permit Consulting have established relationships with various Los Angeles agencies, which can facilitate smoother interactions. Our familiarity with the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety and Los Angeles City Planning can not only expedite the review process, but also enhance the chances of approval, as we know how to present your application in the best possible light.

  
  

• Cost-Effective Solutions

  While some may view consulting services as an additional expense, Carter Permit Consulting can actually save your project thousands of dollars in the long run. By preventing delays, minimizing the risk of permit denials, and ensuring compliance with all regulations, our services can save you money that might otherwise be spent on costly redesigns, time navigating the permit process, and lost contracts due to missed deadlines and delays. In some cases, we can even provide historical permit research and code consultations to potentially avoid costly specialty permits, like Conditional Use Permits.

Contact the team at Carter Permit Consulting today

The team at Carter Permit Consulting can help get your next permit approved in Los Angeles. With our expertise, personalized approach, and commitment to client satisfaction, we are well-equipped to help you navigate the often complicated world of permitting with confidence and ease. By partnering with Carter Permit Consulting, you can alleviate the stress associated with the permit application process, ensuring a more efficient and successful outcome for your Los Angeles building project. Read more about how we can help on our services page, or contact us for a free quote today.