Compton Building Department 2026: Permits, Inspections & Services

Compton Building Permits, Inspections & City Services

If you are planning construction, remodeling, roofing, electrical work, plumbing, an ADU, a commercial tenant improvement, or another regulated project in Compton, the main office you will work with is the City of Compton Building and Safety Department.

The process can feel confusing because Compton uses the CitizenServe portal for several permit-related actions, while important parts of permit issuance and payment still happen at the counter. This guide brings the current process, documents, inspection steps, contact information, and commonly needed city forms together in one place.

Compton Building Department Contact Information

Before driving to City Hall: confirm that your project, counter service, or plan-check appointment is available that day. Holiday schedules and department procedures can change.

What Building and Safety Handles

The department reviews plans for code compliance, issues permits, performs construction inspections, issues Certificates of Occupancy, and addresses certain building and safety violations.

Typical projects can include:

• New residential and commercial construction
• Home additions and remodels
• Accessory dwelling units and junior ADUs
• Roof replacement
• Window and door replacement
• Electrical service upgrades and rewiring
• Plumbing and repiping
• Water heater replacement
• Mechanical and HVAC work
• Demolition
• Solar photovoltaic systems
• Commercial tenant improvements
• Changes in use or occupancy
• Certificates of Occupancy
• Pre-sale residential inspections

How to Apply for a Compton Building Permit

Compton’s current portal needs a little explanation. The City provides CitizenServe for permit-related applications and records, but its current Building & Safety notice says that online payments are not available and that permit issuance/payment is handled in person. Some qualifying projects can still begin through an online application request.

1. Confirm the property is under City of Compton jurisdiction.

   Use the actual project address, not only the mailing city shown on postal mail. If the parcel is outside incorporated Compton, another agency may issue the permit.

2. Define the complete scope of work.

   Write down exactly what will be built, altered, replaced, demolished, or legalized. Include electrical, plumbing and mechanical work rather than describing only the main construction project.

3. Check Planning before finalizing plans.

   Planning issues can affect setbacks, land use, building placement, height, parking, changes of use, ADUs and commercial projects. Planning and Zoning can be reached at (310) 605-5532.

4. Prepare the correct application and supporting documents.

   The City’s main building application is Form B-002. Depending on the project, plans, engineering calculations, Title 24 documents, waste-management forms, agency clearances or other project-specific forms may also be required.

5. Make sure the applicant has the required City licensing information.

   The City’s permit portal states that permit applicants must have a current City of Compton business license. The permit-processing document also identifies licensing documentation for contractors, owner-builders and design professionals.

6. Start the permit request using the City’s process.

   For projects accepted through the portal, open the official CitizenServe system and choose the permit service. Use the username and password assigned through Licensing when required.

   Open the official Compton permit application page.

7. Complete required in-person processing.

   Bring the required original documents, identification, permit number and other items requested by Building & Safety. Current City instructions state that online payment is not available and permit issuance/payment is performed at the counter.

8. Respond to plan-check corrections.

   If corrections are issued, revise the affected drawings or documents and follow the City’s resubmittal procedure. Do not begin regulated construction simply because an application has been submitted.

9. Obtain the issued permit before beginning permitted work.

   Keep approved plans and permit documents available at the job site. Follow the inspection sequence assigned to the project.

Projects That May Qualify for Over-the-Counter Plan Check

The City’s CitizenServe information currently identifies the following as projects that may qualify for over-the-counter plan check:

• Residential remodels
• Certificate of Occupancy applications involving no work
• Solar projects
• Restoring a garage to its original use
• Residential revisions or plan changes to an already approved project
• Business signs
• Projects specifically directed to counter review by a plan checker
• Voluntary residential seismic retrofit
• Demolition projects

Published over-the-counter plan-check hours are generally:

Qualification is not guaranteed simply because a project appears on this list. Scope, existing violations, zoning issues, structural changes or other reviews can move a project into a different process.

Projects the City Lists for Online Application Requests

Compton also lists several common projects that may begin with an online application request, including:

• Like-for-like window replacement
• Water heater change-out
• Wall heater change-out
• Mechanical, electrical or plumbing permits tied to an already-issued building permit
• Pre-sale inspections
• Tear-off and reroofing or qualifying overlay work
• Electrical service meter upgrades
• Single-family dwelling rewiring
• Single-family dwelling repiping
• Residential main water-service line replacement
• Qualifying residential general remodeling

This does not mean the permit is fully completed online. The City’s portal specifically warns that issuance and payment may still need to be completed over the counter.

Documents Needed to Obtain a Permit

One of the most useful City documents is Form B-020, which explains what different applicants should bring for permit processing.

The City document states that permit documents may need to be signed in person. Building & Safety also warns that it does not maintain copies of contractor documents, so bring the required material when completing permit issuance.

View official Form B-020: Documents Needed for Permit Processing.

Building Plans and Plan Review

Simple repair permits may need less documentation, while additions, new buildings, structural work and commercial projects can require much more. Depending on the scope, prepare for items such as:

• Site plan showing the property and proposed work
• Floor plans
• Exterior elevations
• Foundation and framing details
• Structural calculations where required
• Electrical, plumbing and mechanical information
• California energy-compliance documentation
• CALGreen-related documentation
• Planning approvals
• Fire or Public Works clearances when applicable
• Construction and demolition waste-management documents

A project does not need every item above. The actual submittal package depends on the project type and conditions at the property.

Which Building Code Applies in Compton in 2026?

For California building permit applications submitted on or after January 1, 2026, the statewide code cycle is the 2025 California Building Standards Code, Title 24. Applications received on or before December 31, 2025 generally remain under the prior 2022 code cycle, subject to the enforcing agency’s determination.

The 2025 Title 24 family includes the California Building, Residential, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Energy, Fire, Existing Building and Green Building Standards codes, among other parts.

For a practical explanation of the statewide code cycle, see our 2026 California Building Code and Title 24 guide.

Open the California Building Standards Commission code library.

How to Schedule a Building Inspection in Compton

Once a permit is issued, inspections must be completed at the stages required for that project. The City’s Form B-016 states that inspection requests are scheduled through the online portal by eligible City of Compton license holders.

1. Use the City-issued account.

   The contractor or eligible real-estate broker must use the username and password associated with the City license account.

2. Use the same email connected to Licensing.

   The City warns that using a different email can prevent the license and permit accounts from linking correctly.

3. Sign in to CitizenServe.

   Open My Account, log in, then choose View My Requests.

4. Open the issued permit.

   Look under the Issued tab for a permit that has already been issued. Projects still being reviewed normally appear under Under Review.

5. Select Request an Inspection.

   Choose the correct inspection and answer the portal questions completely. The City states that an email confirmation is sent after the request is submitted.

6. Check the inspection time on inspection day.

   Open the CitizenServe Reports area, choose Daily Inspections, enter the inspection date and locate the project address.

Read official Form B-016 inspection instructions.

Check Compton Daily Inspections.

Common Inspection Stages

The exact sequence is shown by the approved plans, permit and inspector. Depending on the work, inspections may involve:

• Footings and foundations before concrete placement
• Underground plumbing or utilities before concealment
• Framing
• Rough electrical
• Rough plumbing
• Rough mechanical work
• Insulation
• Drywall or other required concealed-work stages
• Energy or green-building items
• Final inspection

Do not cover work that is still waiting for an inspection. If the inspector identifies corrections, complete them and request the required follow-up inspection.

How to Search for a Compton Building Permit

The City provides a CitizenServe permit search for recent site or address activity. The City specifically warns that this is not a complete historical records search.

1. Open the official permit search.
2. Enter the available property or permit information.
3. Open the matching record.
4. Review the available permit or application activity.
5. If an older record is missing, contact Building & Safety or use the City’s public-records process rather than assuming no permit ever existed.

Search Compton permits.

Compton Building Permit Fees

There is no useful single price for a Compton building permit. The amount can change with the permit category, construction valuation, plan review, trade permits and other required City or outside-agency reviews.

The City’s permit resource library currently links to:

• Form B-053 — City of Compton Master Fee Schedule
• Form B-022 — project-fee/valuation calculation information
• Separate forms for project-specific services such as Certificates of Occupancy and pre-sale inspections

Open the City’s Master Fee Schedule.

Certificate of Occupancy in Compton

A Certificate of Occupancy, often called a C of O, confirms that the described structure has been inspected for applicable occupancy and code requirements.

The City’s currently linked Form B-007 states a $227 issuance fee associated with determining building compliance for occupancy. The form also states that the certificate expires when there is a change in use, occupancy, ownership and/or business tenancy.

Information requested on the form includes:

• Applicant and owner information
• Building address and APN
• Permit number
• Occupancy and proposed use
• Description of work
• Zoning
• Construction type
• Occupancy load
• Fire-sprinkler information
• Total square footage

Download Compton Certificate of Occupancy Form B-007.

Residential Property Sale: Compton Pre-Sale Inspection

Compton has an important local requirement for residential sales. The City’s residential-sale form explains that, before sale or exchange of a residential building, the owner or authorized representative must obtain a Report of Residential Building Records so the buyer receives information about recorded use, occupancy, zoning and code issues.

The City’s current linked form identifies these inspection fees:

If you are buying or selling property, do not treat a pre-sale report as the same thing as a private home inspection. It is a City building-record/code process with a different purpose.

Construction & Demolition Waste Requirements

Compton’s official C&D Waste Management Plan is easy to overlook, but it can matter before construction starts and again before final inspection.

The City’s current form requires covered projects to plan for diversion of at least 75% of construction and demolition debris from landfill disposal. Applicants may need to use an approved franchise hauler or follow the City’s self-hauler procedure, retain weight receipts, and submit the required final compliance documentation.

The City’s form identifies covered work including examples such as:

• Demolition projects
• Soft demolition
• Residential additions over 250 square feet
• Residential alterations or remodels over 250 square feet
• Tenant improvements over 250 square feet
• Qualifying projects with valuation over $10,000
• Reroofing

Keep receipts and weight tickets throughout the project. The form warns that the performance security deposit can be affected when required final documentation is not provided.

Open Compton C&D Waste Management Form B-001.

ADU Permits in Compton

Compton maintains a dedicated Accessory Dwelling Unit resource for homeowners, designers and contractors. The City has also made several conceptual ADU plan sets available without charge.

However, a free conceptual plan is not a complete ready-to-build permit package. The City’s ADU page explains that applicants still need to prepare project-specific items such as the site plan, structural details and energy calculations. The conceptual plans must generally be used as provided rather than redesigned.

The City publishes plan concepts for several unit sizes, including approximately 447, 650, 750 and 1,000 square feet. The larger 1,000-square-foot concept is identified by the City as requiring Planning Architectural Review Board review.

Before paying a designer to redraw something that the City may already provide, review the official ADU resources first.

Open the City of Compton ADU resource center.

Which Compton Department Should You Contact?

Common Permit Problems and the Practical Fix

Before You Visit Compton City Hall

A few minutes of preparation can save a second trip. Bring or have available:

• Exact project address
• Assessor’s Parcel Number if available
• Existing permit/application number
• Clear description of the work
• Property-owner information
• Contractor license information when applicable
• City business-license information
• Photo identification
• Required original authorization documents
• Plans and calculations required for the project
• Planning or other agency approvals already obtained

If you are unsure which forms apply, call (310) 605-5509 with the address and a clear description of the project instead of guessing and submitting the wrong permit category.

Other California Permit Guides

If you work on properties in more than one California city, do not reuse Compton’s process elsewhere. Permit portals, fees and inspection procedures vary by jurisdiction. You can also review our Baldwin Park Building & Safety guide, Arcadia building permit guide, and Beverly Hills Building & Safety guide for other Los Angeles County permitting examples.

Compton Building Department FAQs

Official Compton Building Resources

• City of Compton Building & Safety Department — department services, contact information and official links.
• CitizenServe Building/Safety/PW Portal — applications, forms, plan-check information, permit search and inspections.
• Form B-020 — documents required for permit processing.
• Form B-016 — inspection scheduling and inspection-time instructions.
• Compton ADU resources — ADU information and City conceptual plan sets.
• California Building Standards Commission — current Title 24 code resources.

Information reviewed: October 23, 2026. Government fees, forms, counter hours, portal functions and permit requirements can change. USBuilding.org is an independent informational resource and is not affiliated with the City of Compton. Final permit decisions, code interpretations and project-specific requirements are determined by the responsible government agency.