I AM A CONTRACTOR

As a licensed contractor this site provides guidance for getting through the “5 Steps of the Permit Process” in Los Angeles County and provides you with helpful links and information regarding services, code requirements, “Special Inspections”, references materials and contact information. Also, should you have any questions you can call or visit your local Building and Safety District Office.

What do I have to do?

As a licensed contractor this site provides guidance for getting through the “5 Steps of the Permit Process” in Los Angeles County and provides you with helpful links and information regarding services, code requirements, “Special Inspections”, references materials and contact information. 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.

5 Steps of the Permit Process

01 Application

First step in the permit/plan check process for any building project

02 Plan Check

Reviews of plans, documents for compliance with building codes

03 Permit

Legal go-ahead for specified construction; checklist for inspections

04 Inspection

Certification that permitted work is safe and complete

05 Completion

When all permitted work is complete, inspected and signed-off

Application

First step in the permit/plan check process for any building project

Plan Check

Reviews of plans, documents for compliance with building codes

Permit

Legal go-ahead for specified construction; checklist for inspections

Inspection

Certification that permitted work is safe and complete

Completion

When all permitted work is complete, inspected and signed-off

Contractor Facts

What is the permit process?

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).

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

Does my project require an engineer?

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.

Where can I find copies of plans and permits?

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.

  Can an alternate material, design or method of construction be used?

  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.