Choose the Right LADBS Permit, Plan Check and Inspection Path
Los Angeles does not use one portal for every project. PermitLA is for qualifying work that does not need plan review. ePlanLA handles projects that require electronic plan check.
This guide also shows how to verify City of Los Angeles jurisdiction, search permit history, check ZIMAS overlays, prepare owner-builder documents, protect an issued permit from expiring and close every required inspection.
Choose the Exact LADBS Task You Need
City of Los Angeles, Unincorporated County or Another City?
Use LADBS when
- The property is inside City of Los Angeles limits.
- LADBS Permit and Inspection Report returns the address.
- ZIMAS identifies the parcel as City of Los Angeles.
- The project is not handled by another independent municipality.
Use Los Angeles County when
- The property is in an unincorporated county area.
- The LA County Service Locator directs you to County Public Works.
- The LA County permit viewer—not LADBS—contains the property record.
Use another city when
- The property is in Beverly Hills, Burbank, Culver City or another incorporated city.
- The postal address says Los Angeles but the legal municipality is different.
- The local city building department controls the parcel.
PermitLA or ePlanLA?
PermitLA Express Permit
Use PermitLA only when the project appears on LADBS Express Permit eligibility guidance.
- Simple work with no plan check
- Online permit issuance
- Angeleno Account login
- Owner, contractor or authorized-agent permit path
ePlanLA
Use ePlanLA when architectural, structural, grading, trade or other plans must be reviewed.
- Electronic plan submittal
- Reviewer comments and corrections
- Revised-plan uploads
- Electronic verification and permit issuance
LADBS Offices, Services and Current Hours
Location |
Address |
Published hours |
Main services |
|---|---|---|---|
Metro / Downtown |
201 and 221 N. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 |
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 7:30 AM–4:30 PM; Wed 9:00 AM–4:30 PM |
Express permits, records, plan check, inspection, code enforcement, case management and licensing |
Van Nuys |
6262 Van Nuys Boulevard, Room 251, Van Nuys, CA 91401 |
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 7:30 AM–4:30 PM; Wed 9:00 AM–4:30 PM |
Express permits, records, plan check, inspection and concierge services |
West Los Angeles |
1828 Sawtelle Boulevard, 2nd Floor, West Los Angeles, CA 90025 |
Monday–Friday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM |
Plan check and submittal; separate inspection office listed by LADBS |
South Los Angeles |
8475 S. Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90044 |
Tuesday and Thursday, 7:30 AM–12:00 PM and 1:00 PM–4:30 PM |
Express permit, counter plan check, plan submittal and code enforcement |
San Pedro |
638 S. Beacon Street, Room 276, San Pedro, CA 90731 |
Tuesday and Thursday, 7:30 AM–12:00 PM and 1:00 PM–4:00 PM |
Express permit, counter plan check, plan submittal, inspection and code enforcement |
Match the Project to the Correct LADBS Permit Path
Project |
Likely starting permit |
Extra review to check |
|---|---|---|
New building, addition or structural alteration |
Building permit + plan check |
Zoning, structural, energy, green building, fire, grading and utility clearances |
Small qualifying repair or replacement |
Express Permit |
Verify the exact work appears in the Express Permit eligibility bulletin |
Interior remodel |
Building alteration |
Structural walls, occupancy, accessibility, electrical, plumbing and HVAC |
ADU or garage conversion |
Residential plan check |
ZIMAS overlays, parking, fire access, utilities, energy and state/local ADU rules |
Roof replacement |
Building or Express Permit |
Deck repair, cool-roof requirements, structural change and solar equipment |
Window or exterior door replacement |
Building permit |
Opening-size change, emergency escape, energy and historic-overlay rules |
Electrical, plumbing, HVAC or fire sprinkler work |
Separate trade permit |
Licensed contractor, related building permit and system plan check |
Grading, retaining wall or hillside development |
Grading and structural review |
Soils, geology, haul route, hillside regulations, drainage and adjacent-property effects |
Restaurant or small-business tenant improvement |
Building and trade permits |
Planning use, fire, health, accessibility, grease waste and Certificate of Occupancy |
Demolition or building removal |
Demolition permit |
Utilities, asbestos, lead, AQMD notification, historic review and site security |
Which LADBS Plan-Review Process Fits the Project?
Counter Plan Check
For relatively simple projects requiring limited plan review.
Prepare a complete plot plan, floor plan and project-specific details.
Expanded Counter Plan Check
For modest projects such as larger home additions and certain multi-floor tenant improvements.
Regular Plan Check
For new buildings, structural work, grading and complex residential or commercial projects.
Build a Review-Ready Los Angeles Permit Application
Confirm the property is inside City limits
Search ZIMAS, the LADBS Permit and Inspection Report or the LA County Service Locator.
Check zoning and overlay controls
Identify the zoning code, specific plan, HPOZ, community design overlay, hillside area and other property-specific restrictions.
Choose PermitLA or ePlanLA
Use PermitLA only when the work qualifies for an Express Permit. Use ePlanLA when drawings require review.
Prepare coordinated documents
Make the application scope, plans, valuation, code analysis, Title 24 documents and contractor information agree.
Identify required City clearances
A project may need Planning, Fire, Public Works, Transportation, Water and Power, Sanitation, Housing or other approvals.
Respond to corrections item by item
Repeat each plan-check comment in a response letter and identify the sheet, detail or document containing the revision.
Complete permit-issuance declarations
The owner, licensed contractor or authorized agent must provide the required signatures, authorizations and declarations.
Confirm the permit is issued before work begins
Plan approval or “ready to issue” status is not the same as an issued permit.
Prepare These Items Before Submitting
Property and applicant
- Exact project address
- Assessor parcel number
- Owner’s legal name
- Applicant contact details
- Contractor license information
- Written authorization when needed
Project information
- Clear scope of work
- Project valuation
- Existing and proposed use
- Building area and height
- Occupancy and construction type
- Parking and access information
Plans and calculations
- Plot or site plan
- Floor plans and elevations
- Structural calculations
- Energy compliance documents
- Green Building forms
- Soils, geology or grading reports
Use ZIMAS Before Paying for Final Design
Look up these items
- Current zone
- General Plan land use
- Community Plan Area
- Specific Plan
- Historic Preservation Overlay Zone
- Community Design Overlay
- Hillside or coastal controls
- Planning case history
Then verify the project
- Use is permitted
- Required yards and setbacks
- Height and floor area
- Lot coverage
- Parking requirements
- Signs and exterior changes
- Overlay approval process
- Correct zoning code chapter
Understand the Responsibility Before Signing as Owner-Builder
Prepare the correct documents
- Completed Owner-Builder Declaration
- Permit questionnaire when required
- Property-owner authorization for an agent
- Notarization or identification supporting the signature when instructed
- Corporate or LLC ownership documents when applicable
Accept the real responsibility
- Accurate permit scope
- Code-compliant construction
- Licensed trades where required
- Workers’ compensation obligations
- Inspection scheduling
- Correction and final-closeout responsibility
Use the Official Fee Calculator—Not a Generic Percentage
Permit and plan-check fees
Fees depend on the permit type, project scope, valuation, floor area, equipment and required reviews.
Separate charges to check
- Electrical, plumbing and HVAC permits
- Grading or fire-sprinkler permits
- School developer fees
- Extra inspection-trip fees
- Modification or research fees
Payment verification
Use the LADBS invoice service to confirm the amount and record number before paying.
Request and Prepare for a LADBS Inspection
Online request
Search by a single address, address range or permit/application information.
Phone request
Call 3-1-1 inside Los Angeles or 213-473-3231 from outside the City.
The City call center accepts a single inspection request and can provide date information.
Mobile option
LADBS Go supports inspection requests, permit review, parcel details, nearby service centers, violations and counter wait times.
Have ready
- 15-digit permit number
- Project address
- Inspection type
- Contact name and phone
- Access information
- Correction notice when applicable
Before the inspector arrives
- Permit is issued and active
- Approved plans are available
- Work remains visible
- Safe access is provided
- Required stage is complete
- Previous corrections are resolved
When Construction and Demolition Work Is Allowed
Day |
General permitted hours |
Important note |
|---|---|---|
Monday–Friday |
7:00 AM–9:00 PM |
Other noise, permit or project conditions can be more restrictive |
Saturday |
8:00 AM–6:00 PM |
Check hillside and project-specific limits |
Sunday |
No work permitted |
Off-hour approval does not automatically override every restriction |
Prevent an Issued LADBS Permit From Expiring
Two-year permit period
The current LADBS Signature Declaration states that an issued permit expires two years after the permit-issuance date.
Twelve-month inactivity rule
The same declaration states that a permit also expires when no construction work is performed for a continuous period of 12 months.
What Common LADBS Statuses Mean
Search Permits, Inspections, Certificates and Plans
Start with the Permit and Inspection Report
Search by address, 15-digit permit/application number, 10-digit plan-check/job number, code case or assessor parcel number.
Use the LADBS Records System
Search available Department-issued documents such as permits, inspections, certificates and code-enforcement records.
Check Atlas
Atlas can display parcel, permit, building, Certificate of Occupancy and mapped hazard-layer information.
Request plans carefully
Blueprint access can require proof of ownership, identification and additional authorization or research.
Confirm permit closeout
A permit appearing in search results does not prove every inspection passed or the Certificate of Occupancy was issued.
Understand the Los Angeles Residential Property Report
Seller responsibility
LADBS Online Services states that qualifying residential-property sellers must obtain and deliver the City report to the buyer before the sale agreement or close of escrow, subject to listed exceptions.
Current online amount shown
The LADBS service currently displays a fee of $70.85 for each Residential Property Report request.
A newly issued report is generally not required again for six months, but the seller must still provide the existing report to the buyer.
Projects That Need Extra Los Angeles Review
Project condition |
Extra issue to investigate |
Best first action |
|---|---|---|
Hillside or steep lot |
Grading, geology, haul route, drainage, retaining walls and construction hours |
Review ZIMAS and request preliminary technical guidance before final design |
Historic property or HPOZ |
Exterior alterations, demolition, windows, additions and compatibility review |
Open the HPOZ information listed in ZIMAS before ordering materials |
Wildfire-rebuild property |
Rebuild eligibility, soils/geology, debris history and expedited processes |
Use the LA One-Stop Rebuilding Center and current implementation guidelines |
Soft-story or non-ductile concrete building |
Mandatory retrofit program status and engineering requirements |
Search the property record and specialized retrofit program |
Restaurant or small business |
Planning use, health, fire, grease, ventilation, accessibility and occupancy |
Use Restaurant and Small Business Express assistance |
Major development |
Multiple City departments, entitlements, public improvements and utilities |
Check Development Services Case Management eligibility |
Report or Resolve a Los Angeles Building Violation
Report a possible violation
Use LADBS Online Services or call 3-1-1 for complaint intake.
Check complaint status
Search the Permit and Inspection Report using the address or CEIS/311 service-request number.
Resolve an Order to Comply
Read every cited condition, required permit, fee and inspection before scheduling corrective work.
Fix Common LADBS Portal and Review Problems
Problem |
Likely reason |
Best next step |
|---|---|---|
Address not found |
Jurisdiction, fraction, prefix, suffix or address formatting |
Search the street number without fractions and street name without directional prefix or street suffix |
PermitLA rejects the project |
Work requires plan check or is not Express Permit eligible |
Review eligibility and move to ePlanLA when required |
ePlan correction keeps returning |
Incomplete response or conflicting plan versions |
Submit one coordinated revision set with an itemized response letter |
Ready-to-issue permit cannot be issued |
Missing authorization, owner-builder declaration, insurance, contractor data, clearance or payment |
Use the LADBS homeowner/agent checklist and ask which issuance item remains |
Inspection option is unavailable |
Permit not issued, sequence incomplete, status hold or wrong address |
Check the full permit report and contact 3-1-1 or the inspection office |
Old permit has no final result |
Final inspection never occurred or records are incomplete |
Request the inspection history and ask LADBS what is needed to close the permit now |
Plans cannot be released |
Ownership, identification or authorization requirement |
Prepare the deed, ID and required duplication affidavit before the records appointment |
Permit is close to expiration |
Two-year permit period or 12 months without construction activity |
Contact LADBS before expiration and obtain current extension or renewal instructions |
What to Say When Contacting LADBS
“I am planning to [describe exact work] at [full address]. ZIMAS shows [zone and overlays]. Does this qualify for PermitLA, or must I submit through ePlanLA and plan check?”
“Application [number] is ready to issue. Can you identify the exact remaining authorization, declaration, contractor, insurance, clearance or payment item?”
“Permit [15-digit number] at [address] is ready for the [inspection type]. The work is complete for that stage, uncovered and safely accessible.”
“Permit [number] does not show final approval. Which inspections, documents or corrections remain, and can the current owner complete the closeout?”
Do Not Finish the Project Until These Items Are Complete
- City of Los Angeles jurisdiction confirmed
- ZIMAS zone and overlays reviewed
- PermitLA or ePlanLA path confirmed
- Building and trade permits identified
- City clearances completed
- Owner-builder or contractor declarations accepted
- Permit formally issued
- Approved plans kept available
- Required work left visible
- All inspection corrections resolved
- Building and trade finals approved
- Certificate and final records saved
Downtown LADBS Office Map
201 N. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
221 N. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Open the Correct Los Angeles Building Resource
Los Angeles Building Permit Questions
Is LADBS for every property with a Los Angeles mailing address?
No. LADBS handles construction within City of Los Angeles limits. Unincorporated Los Angeles County and independent cities use different permitting authorities. Confirm jurisdiction before applying.
Should I use PermitLA or ePlanLA?
Use PermitLA for qualifying Express Permits that do not require plan review. Use ePlanLA when plans and electronic plan check are required.
How do I search an LADBS permit?
Use the Permit and Inspection Report. Search by address, 15-digit permit/application number, 10-digit plan-check number, assessor parcel number or CEIS/311 request number.
How do I request a Los Angeles building inspection?
Use the LADBS online Request for Inspection service, the LADBS Go app or call 3-1-1 inside Los Angeles. Call 213-473-3231 from outside the City.
Does Los Angeles require a Notice of Commencement?
No. A Florida-style Notice of Commencement is not part of the Los Angeles permit process. LADBS instead requires applicable permit signatures, owner-builder or contractor declarations, authorization documents, insurance and City clearances.
Can a homeowner obtain a permit as owner-builder?
Yes, when the owner qualifies and completes the required LADBS owner-builder documents. The owner accepts significant responsibility for construction, workers, licensed trades, inspections and code compliance.
When does an issued LADBS permit expire?
The current LADBS Signature Declaration states that an issued permit expires two years after issuance and can also expire when no construction work is performed for a continuous 12-month period.
What are the general Los Angeles construction hours?
General permitted hours are Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM and Saturday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Sunday construction and demolition work is generally not permitted. Hillside and project-specific restrictions may be stricter.
How can I obtain old plans or blueprints?
Contact the LADBS Records Section and prepare proof of ownership, valid identification and any required plan-duplication affidavit or authorization. Some records require research and may not be available immediately.
What should I do when a permit does not show final approval?
Open the full inspection history, identify the missing building or trade inspection and contact LADBS for current closeout instructions. Do not assume an old permit closed automatically.
Official Information Used for This Guide
Building-Department.org is an independent guide and is not the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety or the City of Los Angeles.
This page was rebuilt using current LADBS Plan Review and Permitting, PermitLA, ePlanLA, Inspection, Property Records, Homeowner, Office Location, Construction Hours, Fee Calculator, ZIMAS and Development Services Case Management resources.
Last reviewed: July 23, 2026.
Office schedules, fees, permit eligibility, code editions, school fees and online-service behavior can change. Confirm time-sensitive requirements through the official LADBS system before filing, paying or beginning work.
Khushboo Bobade is a public records researcher and editorial writer specializing in government service documentation and construction permit systems.
Her research focuses on explaining building permits, inspection procedures, zoning regulations, and public permit records maintained by local government building departments across the United States.
Professional profile: View LinkedIn Profile
Check Permit Type, Estimate Fees, Prepare Inspections and Find Official Building Department Links
Use this free tool before applying for a building permit, booking an inspection, checking zoning rules, or searching permit records. It helps homeowners, contractors, landlords, buyers, and business owners understand the next step before visiting the official building department portal.
What building department task do you need help with?
Choose your goal. The tool will suggest the right next step, what to prepare, and which official page to check.
Before starting work, check whether your project needs building, zoning, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, right-of-way, or HOA approval.
Many portals require contractor registration, license details, insurance, plans, owner authorization, and inspection scheduling access.
Building Permit Type Finder
Select the project type to understand which permits or reviews are commonly required. Always confirm with the official local building department.
Permit Fee Estimate Calculator
Estimate a rough permit fee using project value and common percentage-based review assumptions. Local minimum fees, technology fees, impact fees, reinspection fees, and trade fees can change the final amount.
Inspection Readiness Checklist
Use this before scheduling framing, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, roofing, final, or certificate-related inspections.
Zoning and Setback Pre-check
Use this before applying for a permit when your project may affect land use, setbacks, lot coverage, height, parking, signs, fences, accessory structures, or business use.
Plan Review Timeline Estimator
Estimate how complex your review may be. Local staffing, incomplete plans, corrections, holidays, fire review, zoning review, and outside agency review can change timing.
Permit Records Search Helper
Use this if you are trying to find old permits, inspection history, certificate of occupancy details, open permits, or code-related records.
Official Building Department Resource Finder
Enter city/county and state to create safe searches for official permit portals, inspection scheduling, building codes, zoning maps, forms, fees, and contact pages.
Building Department vs Planning/Zoning
- Building Department: permits, plan review, inspections, code compliance, certificates.
- Planning/Zoning: land use, setbacks, height, lot coverage, signs, parking, variances.
Best sitewide placement
Place this tool after the first main guide section or before FAQs. It turns a normal article into a practical permit-preparation page.
Important note
This tool gives educational guidance only. Final permit requirements, fees, inspections, forms, and deadlines must be confirmed with the official local building department.