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Following are the “5 Steps of the Permit Process” for construction projects requiring a permit:

1. Application :If it has been determined that a permit is required, (see Work Exempt from Permits), the permittee shall complete a permit application, pay plan check and/or permit fees, and when required submit plans and specifications for review. When necessary, the Building Official will give the permittee an Agency Referral Sheet. The applicant is responsible for obtaining the noted agency approvals prior to obtaining the permit.
2. Plan Check:When a plan check is required* the review process will be either:
   • Over-the-counter Plan Check Typically, projects that can be plan checked in 15 minutes or less may be reviewed over the counter, during the morning office counter hours, or
   • Plan Taken in for Review Complex projects or projects at the discretion of the Building Official will be taken in and reviewed in the order it was received. Turn-around time may vary depending on the volume of plans submitted to an office.

   *Not all permit applications require a plan check, (Example, replacement of a residential water heater. No plan check required. The permit could be issued upon completion of the application and payment of permit fee).

3. Permit Issuance: A permit can be issued once the permit application is completed, the plan check review is either approved or a plan check is not required, any required agency approvals are received, and the fees have been paid.
4. Inspection : When the permitted work reaches a certain phase of construction the permit holder is required to request for inspection online through EPIC-LA (for projects in the unincorporated County areas) or call the Building and Safety District Office (for projects within Contract Cities) that issued the permit to schedule an inspection. An inspector will review the work for compliance with the requirements of the code(s), the approved plan, and the permit(s) scope of work.
5. Project Complete : The project is complete once any required agency approvals have been obtained and the work covered by the permit(s) has passed final inspection, (inspection record card and permit(s) have been signed and dated). Additionally, for buildings and structures, a Certificate of Occupancy will be issued by the Building Official.

For a general road map of the permitting process, please click here

An accurate detailed set of plans, specifications, and supporting documents is required for most construction projects. Hiring a California-licensed engineer or land surveyor will provide specialized knowledge regarding the principles of engineering, building code requirements, and local conditions including wind loads, snow loads, and earthquake activity. Additionally, a licensed engineer may be required to provide design, analysis, and evaluation of complex soil conditions, grading, foundation/site work, retaining walls, hydrology, structural elements, and mechanical or electrical systems. The resulting plans, specifications, and supporting documents are required to be signed and sealed (stamped) by the engineer. It is your choice as to which engineer you employ. The Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists (BPELSG) can help you verify if an engineer is properly licensed and if any complaints or disciplinary action has been taken against them. For more information, the BPELSG can be contacted at (866) 780-5370 or via their website.

The local Building and Safety District Office maintains the building records.

• Permit(s) - Copies of the permit records can be obtained for a nominal fee from the local Building and Safety District Office. Additionally, you may be directed to the Office of the Assessor, to obtain the “Field Notes” to assist in creating a complete property profile.
• Plans - An official copy of the plans and specifications shall be maintained by the Building Official and open for inspection only on the premises as a public record. The plans and specifications may only be duplicated in compliance with Health and Safety Code (HSC) Section 19851.
  • Commercial Plans - The Building Official shall maintain an official copy of the approved plans and specifications of every commercial building, during the life of the building (see exceptions in the Health and Safety Code (HSC) Section 19850.
  • Residential Plans - The Building Official shall retain the approved plans and specifications for a period of not less than 90 days from date of completion of the work covered therein.

The provisions of the Code are not intended to prevent the use of any material, appliance, installation, device, arrangement, design, or method of construction not specifically prescribed by the Code.

Upon receiving a written application, filing fee, and sufficient evidence or proof, the Building Official may approve any such alternate that is at least the equivalent of that prescribed in the Code in quality, strength, effectiveness, fire resistance and other life-safety factors, durability, planning and design, energy, material resource efficiency and conservation, environmental air quality, performance, water, and sanitation.

All construction or work for which a building permit is required shall be subject to inspection by the Building Official and certain types of construction shall have continuous or periodic special inspection as specified in Chapter 17 of the County of Los Angeles Building Code.

Review the Work Exempt from Permits.

A list of the special inspectors currently certified by Building and Safety Division is available at the Special Inspectors page

It is the permit holder's responsibility (the property owner, or in most cases, the licensed general contractor) to request periodic inspections. The permit holder is required to request for inspection online through EPIC-LA (for projects in the unincorporated County areas) or contact the local Building and Safety District Office (for projects within Contract Cities) that issued the permit to have an inspector review the work. All inspection requests must be made at least 24 hours in advance. Inspections are only performed during regular working hours.

• Plan Expiration: When no permit has been issued within 12 months following the date of permit application, the application shall expire. The Building Official may grant two extensions upon written request by the applicant and payment of fees.
• Permit Expiration: The permit expires if the work has not started within 12 months from the date of permit issuance, or if the work lapses for more than 180 days at any time after the start of work. The permit may be granted one or more extensions of 180 days each, upon written request. When a permit expires, a new permit application shall be filed, and new plan check and permit fees shall be paid.

• Plan Check fee refund: The plan check fee will be refunded only when it is verified that no review of the plan as taken place, in which case the refund shall be 80 percent of the plan check.
• Permit fee refund: When it has been verified that no portion of the work or construction covered by a permit has commenced, and the permit has been canceled or expired, the permittee, may request in writing, a refund in an amount equal to 80 percent of the permit fee provided the request has been submitted no later than one year after the expiration date of the permit