As a homeowner/owner-builder in Los Angeles County this site will provide you with guidance for getting through the “5 Steps of the Permit Process,” including helpful links and information regarding services and building code requirements. You can learn what you’ll need to proceed with hiring professionals, the purpose of permits and requirements for construction involving additions, alterations, or repairs to your principal place of residence. Also, should you have any questions you can call or visit your local Building and Safety District Office.
As a homeowner/owner-builder in Los Angeles County this site will provide you with guidance for getting through the “5 Steps of the Permit Process,” including helpful links and information regarding services, building code requirements. You can learn what you’ll need to proceed with the hiring professionals, the purpose and types of permits required for construction involving additions, alterations, or repairs to your principal place of residence. Also, should you have any questions you can call or visit your local Building and Safety District Office.
Electronic Permitting and Inspections for the County of Los Angeles (EPIC-LA), For the unincorporated areas, is the online portal to Building and Safety’s electronic permitting services. On this site, you can submit plans, specifications, and supporting documents for review and approval, pay permit fees and apply for a permit.
Building and Safety Online Plan Check System, for Contract Cities, online plan check applications may be submitted via the BSOP Web Application.
First step in the permit/plan check process for any building project
Reviews of plans, documents for compliance with building codes
Legal go-ahead for specified construction; checklist for inspections
Certification that permitted work is safe and complete
When all permitted work is complete, inspected and signed-off
First step in the permit/plan check process for any building project
Reviews of plans, documents for compliance with building codes
Legal go-ahead for specified construction; checklist for inspections
Certification that permitted work is safe and complete
When all permitted work is complete, inspected and signed-off
*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).
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.
Plans, specifications, and supporting documents may be prepared by a licensed civil engineer, architect, or drafts-person. Structural elements of a plan must be reviewed and stamped by a licensed engineer.
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.
