Deck Permit in Los Angeles, California
By Mario Bailey Last checked 2026-06-17 · 2 official sources
Verified against official sources From an official sourcePermit required
Quick answer
A building permit is required in Los Angeles for all new deck construction. LADBS treats decks as additions or structures subject to standard plan check. Homeowners may apply through PermitLA online or visit a Development Services Center.
Who is pulling this permit?
Apply yourself
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?
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When a permit is usually needed
Before constructing any new residential deck
What deck permit costs in Los Angeles
Building permit fee is graduated by declared project valuation per LAMC 91.113 Table 1-A, posted base $65 for total valuation $100.01 to $2,000, rising by bracket above that; no deck-specific valuation multiplier is printed in the LADBS Valuation Table.
How Los Angeles compares in California
| Jurisdiction | Permit needed? | Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angelesthis page | Permit required | Not specified |
| Sacramento | It depends | uncovered deck 30 inches or more above grade requires a building permit |
| San Diego | It depends | deck over 200 sq ft or over 30 inches above grade or attached to a dwelling requires a permit |
| San Jose | It depends | deck over 200 sq ft or over 30 inches above grade or attached to dwelling or serving required exit requires a permit |
How to apply in Los Angeles
A residential deck permit application is a set of construction documents that show what will be built and prove it meets the IRC deck provisions. In practice that means a scaled site plan locating the deck and its setbacks, plus deck plans and structural details covering the footings, posts, beams, joists, ledger, guards, and stairs.
What most deck permit applications include:
- A permit application identifying the work, the deck's size (square footage), and whether electrical work such as lights or receptacles is included, submitted for plan review before construction begins (IRC R106).
- A scaled site plan (for example 1/4 inch to 1 foot) showing the new deck's location relative to the house, its overall length and width, and dimensioned distances from the deck to all property lines and other structures so required setbacks can be verified (IRC R106.1.1).
- A deck plan drawn to scale showing overall dimensions and the framing layout: joist size, spacing, span, and species; beam size and span; post size and height; and footing or pier size and depth (IRC R507.4 posts, R507.5 beams, R507.6 joists, R507.3 footings).
- A section or side elevation with connection details showing the ledger attachment to the house band joist with flashing, the fastener or bolt schedule, joist hangers, post-to-beam and post-to-footing connections, and the required lateral load connection (IRC R507.9 ledger connection, R507.9.2 lateral connection, R507.2.4 flashing).
- Footing sizing derived from tributary area, the soil bearing value, and design loads per IRC Table R507.3.1, with footings shown bearing on undisturbed soil at the frost depth required by the jurisdiction (IRC R507.3).
- Details for the guards required where the walking surface is more than 30 inches above grade, and for the stairs and handrails, showing guard height and opening limits, stair riser and tread dimensions, and handrail location (IRC R312 guards, R311.7 stairs and handrails).
- For designs that fall outside the prescriptive R507 tables (for example multi-story or stacked decks, or a ledger attached to a cantilever), engineered and stamped structural plans are submitted in place of the prescriptive details (IRC R507.1 and R301).
General submittal guidance from IRC R106.1.1 (construction documents) and IRC R507 (exterior decks), 2021 IRC. Source. Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety sets the exact checklist for Los Angeles.
Where to apply in Los Angeles:
Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety
- 201 N. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90012
- Phone: (213) 473-3231
Inspections and closing out your permit
Deck work is inspected in sequence as it is built: the footings before concrete is placed, the framing before the decking boards go down, and a final inspection once the deck is complete. Each stage checks the items that would be hidden or unsafe if missed.
- Footing or pier inspection: after the holes are dug and any forms or reinforcing are set but before concrete is placed, the inspector checks footing depth and diameter, a flat undisturbed bearing surface, and that the holes are free of water (IRC R109.1.1 foundation inspection; R507.3 footings).
- Framing inspection: after the deck is framed but before the decking conceals it, the inspector verifies the ledger attachment and its flashing, the fastener and bolt schedule, joist hangers and metal connectors, post-to-beam and post-to-footing connections, and the lateral load connection; call it before decking is installed (IRC R109.1.4 frame inspection; R507.9 ledger and flashing).
- Final inspection: after the deck is complete and before it is used, the inspector confirms guard height and opening limits (a 4 inch sphere must not pass, 4 3/8 inch at stairs), stair riser and tread dimensions, handrail height and graspability where there are 4 or more risers, stair landings, and required stair lighting (IRC R109.1.6 final inspection; R312 guards, R311.7 stairs and handrails).
Schedule each inspection in advance and pass the final before you use the work or close the permit. Request inspections through the Los Angeles permit portal or by phone at (213) 473-3231.
Inspection sequence from IRC R109 (inspections: R109.1.1 footing before concrete, R109.1.4 frame, R109.1.6 final), 2021 IRC. Source. An open permit left un-inspected can surface later in a title search or home sale.
Your Deck Permit checklist for Los Angeles
- Confirm the requirement. Yes, a permit is required. Usually needed: Before constructing any new residential deck.
- Budget the fee. Building permit fee is graduated by declared project valuation per LAMC 91.113 Table 1-A, posted base $65 for total valuation $100.01 to $2,000, rising by bracket above that; no deck-specific valuation multiplier is printed in the LADBS Valuation Table. Official fee schedule.
- Apply. A residential deck permit application is a set of construction documents that show what will be built and prove it meets the IRC deck provisions. In practice that means a scaled site plan locating the deck and its setbacks, plus deck plans and structural details covering the footings, posts, beams, joists, ledger, guards, and stairs. Start at the Los Angeles permit portal.
- Keep the office details handy. Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety. Phone: (213) 473-3231. Address: 201 N. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90012.
- Plan for inspections. Deck work is inspected in sequence as it is built: the footings before concrete is placed, the framing before the decking boards go down, and a final inspection once the deck is complete. Each stage checks the items that would be hidden or unsafe if missed.
Compiled from the official sources on this page. Last checked 2026-06-17.
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First-time inspection pass rates in Los Angeles
Measured from Los Angeles's own inspection event log: how often each inspection type passes on the first visit.
- Final: 62% pass first time (n=80,069)
- Smoke Detectors: 90% pass first time (n=38,441)
- Floor/Roof Diaphrgm/Shear Wall: 61% pass first time (n=33,475)
- Interior/Exterior Lathing: 50% pass first time (n=23,574)
- Footing/Foundation/Slab: 58% pass first time (n=21,651)
2023-07-26 to 2026-07-26. Source: City of Los Angeles building and safety inspections (open data). Full study.
Permitting activity in Los Angeles
In 2024, Los Angeles authorized permits for 10,488 new residential housing units (3,041 single-family, 7,447 in multi-family buildings), valued at $1.6B, down from13,154 the year before. That works out to about 2.6 permits per 1,000 residents.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual data · population 3,970,219.
About Los Angeles
Los Angeles has about 1,537,034 housing units. The median home is valued at $879,500, against a median household income of $80,366. About 36% of homes are owner-occupied, and the typical home was built around 1964.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2023 5-year.
Frequently asked questions
- Do you need a deck permit in Los Angeles?
- A building permit is required in Los Angeles for all new deck construction. LADBS treats decks as additions or structures subject to standard plan check. Homeowners may apply through PermitLA online or visit a Development Services Center. Always confirm with the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety before starting.
- How much does a deck permit cost in Los Angeles?
- Building permit fee is graduated by declared project valuation per LAMC 91.113 Table 1-A, posted base $65 for total valuation $100.01 to $2,000, rising by bracket above that; no deck-specific valuation multiplier is printed in the LADBS Valuation Table. See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
- Where do you apply for a deck permit in Los Angeles?
- You can apply through the Los Angeles permit portal or contact the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety directly. The links are listed on this page.
From the Library
What else needs a permit in Los Angeles
Every other permit type we have verified for this jurisdiction, with the rule that applies here.
| Project | Permit needed? | Threshold | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Itemized per installed item per the LADBS Electrical Permit Fee Schedule (rev 12/2016):... |
| Fence Permit | It depends | masonry or concrete fence up to 6 ft in height may be built without a permit if it meets LADBS construction specifications in IB-P-BC2014-080; a solid masonry infill panel between pilasters may not exceed 3 ft 6 in with lightweight open material filling the remaining height; non-masonry fence height threshold not confirmed from official page | Valuation-based building permit per LAMC 91.113 Table 1-A; |
| HVAC Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Itemized per piece of equipment per LADBS Fee Sch.3 (7/2017), for example a gas furnace... |
| Patio Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Valuation-based building permit per LAMC 91.113 Table 1-A; |
| Plumbing Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Itemized per fixture per LADBS Fee Sch.5 (7/2017), for example a toilet at $23 and a wa... |
| Pool Permit | Permit required | Not specified | The pool shell takes a valuation-based building permit with the LADBS Valuation Table p... |
| Roof Replacement Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Valuation-based building permit per LAMC 91.113 Table 1-A; |
| Shed Permit | It depends | one-story shed under 120 sq ft and under 12 ft in height with no electrical or plumbing does not require a permit | No shed-specific valuation multiplier printed; |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Residential rooftop PV is an electrical permit with itemized per-component fees per the... |
Deck Permit in other California localities
Official sources
Verified by a person against the sources above on 2026-06-17, not confirmed with Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety. Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.
Last checked: 2026-06-17Report an error on this page
Compare Deck Permit requirements across California localities