Building permits in Los Angeles County, California
Of the 10 common home projects we have verified in Los Angeles County, 5 need a permit outright and 5 depend on size or scope. Click any project for the full rule, fee, and how to apply.
By Mario Bailey Last checked · 2 official sources
Verified against official sources- Project types verified
- 10
- in Los Angeles County
Los Angeles County Public Works, Building and Safety Division
- Los Angeles County Public Works, Building and Safety Division, 3rd Floor, 900 S. Fremont Avenue, Alhambra, CA 91803
- Phone: 626-458-3173
- Official permit page
- Permit portal
- Official fee schedule
Look up a permit in Los Angeles County
Los Angeles County runs an online permit portal. Many local portals let you check application status, search permit records, and view inspection results without calling the office.
What needs a permit in Los Angeles County
Of the 10 common home projects we have verified in Los Angeles County, 5 need a permit outright and 5 depend on size or scope. Click any project for the full rule, fee, and how to apply.
| Project | Permit needed? | Threshold | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck Permit | It depends | height of the deck surface above grade; the exemption also requires the deck not to be over any basement or story below and not to be part of an accessible route | No deck line item is published. |
| Electrical Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Electrical Code Fee Schedule (Title 27 of the County of Los Angeles Code, Ord No. |
| Fence Permit | It depends | height of a fence or freestanding block wall measured from the lowest adjacent grade; a masonry or concrete fence must also be set back from a public way at least a distance equal to its height to stay exempt | No fence line item is published. |
| HVAC Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Mechanical Code Fee Schedule (Title 29 of the County of Los Angeles Code, Ord No. |
| Patio Permit | It depends | Not specified | No patio line item is published. |
| Plumbing Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Plumbing Code Fee Schedule (Title 28 of the Los Angeles Code, Ord. |
| Pool Permit | It depends | depth of a prefabricated pool or other body of water accessory to a one- or two-family (Group R-3) home; the same exemption also reaches pools that do not exceed 5,000 gallons and are installed entirely above adjacent grade | There is no single pool price. |
| Roof Replacement Permit | Permit required | Not specified | No reroofing line item is published. |
| Shed Permit | It depends | gross floor area of a one-story detached accessory building; the exemption also requires the height not to exceed 12 feet and the maximum roof projection not to exceed 24 inches | No shed line item is published. |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Chapter 68, Section 6805 of the County of Los Angeles Building Code: 'The combined... |
Planning a project in Los Angeles County?
Hire it out
Before you sign, ask the contractor:
- Who pulls the permit, you or me, and is the permit fee included in the bid?
- Which inspections will this job need, and who meets the inspector on site?
- Is your contractor license active in this locality, and under which business name?
Planning several things at once? Check your whole project