Plan Check & Permit

Links Helpful to Plan Check & Permit

The Construction Process

The full "Homeowner's Guide to Permits & Inspections" can be downloaded as a PDF here.

  1. Get zoning and property information from ZIMAS, an online research tool from the City Planning department.
    • If your property doesn't appear in ZIMAS, you may not be within the City of Los Angeles, and will require service from another County department. Use the Online Service Locator from the LA County Dept of Public Works to find out who services your area.
  2. Design your project and draw plans
  3. Submit plans and complete a permit application at an LADBS office
  4. Plans are approved by LADBS and a permit is issued, which may be picked up at an LADBS office.
  5. Construction begins, and inspections are requested while construction is occurring.
    • There are many different inspection types, and inspection requirements depending on the project. You must have an inspection done on relevant construction before any work is covered or concealed.
    • All inspections will be recorded on the Building Card (B-8), and plans must be present for each inspection.
  6. Final inspection is performed and a Certificate of Occupancy is issued.
    • Retain the Certificate of Occupancy and Building Card (B8) for your records

Notice to Contractors - Insurance and License Requirements

California Labor Code Section 3800 requires all contractors to show their valid certificate of workers’ compensation insurance at the time of each permit issuance. The certificate holder must be the contractor’s state license board.

The Department of Building and Safety does not maintain a worker’s compensation certificate log with a list of authorized agents. All authorized agents for contractors must carry and show their notarized letter at each permit issuance.

The following items are required from you at the time of permit issuance:

  1. Copy of certificate of workers’ compensation insurance made out to the contractor’s state license board.
  2. Copy of your LA City business tax registration certificate or a newly paid receipt for one.
  3. Notarized letters of authorization for your agents.
  4. Copy of your contractor’s license pocket ID.
  5. Solid Waste Hauler Permit Information.

Applicants without employees are exempt from requirement #1. Your cooperation will help expedite the permit process.

Notice to Land Use Professionals

Any individual may qualify as a lobbyist, regardless of occupation, education, training, or professional title. This includes applicants for entitlements, property owners, permit expediters, and other land use professionals. It also includes CEOs, attorneys, consultants, architects, and engineers. 

The Los Angeles Municipal Lobbying Ordinance requires everyone who meets the lobbyist qualification criteria below to register as a lobbyist with the Ethics Commission. In addition to registering, lobbyists are required to disclose their lobbying activity on a quarterly basis. 

You are a City lobbyist if you are compensated to do both of the following regarding one or more legislative or administrative City matters (including land use permits) on someone else's behalf. 

  1. Have at least one direct communication with a City employee (either personally or through an agent) in an attempt to influence City action; and
  2. Spend at least 30 hours during a consecutive three-month period engaged in lobbying activities, such as trying to influence a City employee, providing advice or recommending strategy to a client, researching an issue, engaging in public relations, drafting an ordinance or resolution, attending or monitoring a City hearing or meeting, or engaging in other similar activities. 

Learn more about influencing land-use decisions, register as a lobbyist online, or contact the Ethics Commision for more information.

Flowchart of LADBS Permit Process, leading from plan check, through permit and inspections

How to Get a Permit

  1. Express Permit
    (Online or walk-in)
  1. Counter Plan Check
  1. Expanded Counter Plan Check
  1. Regular Plan Check
  1. Parallel Design - Permitting Process

Types of Plan Checks & Permits

Note: Plans need to be submitted to the appropriate section separately.

Building Permits are required for new constructions, additions, alterations, and demolition/removal of a building or structure.

Building plans shall be filed and approved by the Department (as a Building Plan Check) before any permit is issued for the following:

  • New building or structure
  • Addition to building
  • Structural alteration to building or structure
  • Interior modification and change of floor plan
  • Change of use and/or occupancy
  • Parking layout change
  • Use-of-land, such as recycling deposit center, open air storage, outdoor temporary events
  • Signs and sign structures
  • Fences, retaining walls and shoring plans

For more information on the Plan Check process, visit our Regular Plan Check and Counter Plan Check pages.

See Building Permit Forms & Publications