Burbank Building Department 2026: Permits, Inspections & Services

Burbank Building Department Contact Information

The local permitting office is the City of Burbank Community Development Department, Building & Safety Division.

What Building Permits Does Burbank Require?

Burbank generally requires permits for new construction, additions, remodels, alterations and regulated electrical, plumbing or mechanical work. The City separates many applications into Tier 1 and Tier 2 projects.

Common Tier 1 projects

Examples published by the City include:

• Reroofing.
• Kitchen or bathroom remodels without interior wall demolition.
• Same-size window replacement without creating new openings.
• Drywall replacement.
• Replacement of exterior finishes with the same material.
• Electrical service upgrades, subject to Burbank Water and Power requirements.
• Residential rewiring or repiping.
• HVAC replacement or new HVAC work; energy documentation may be required.
• Water-heater replacement.
• Certain standard seismic brace-and-bolt retrofits.

Typical Tier 2 projects

• New houses and other new structures.
• Building additions.
• Substantial alterations and remodels.
• Commercial tenant improvements.
• Accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
• Sign permits that require plan review.
• Engineered projects or work exceeding mechanical, electrical or plumbing plan-check thresholds.

How to Apply for a Burbank Building Permit

For a simple Tier 1 permit

1. Confirm the project qualifies. Compare the work with the City’s Tier 1 list and permit exemptions.
2. Open Burbank Online Permits. Go to permit.burbankca.gov.
3. Create or sign in to your account. Use an email address you can access because the account is also used for payments and inspection requests.
4. Select the permit type. Enter the property and project information requested by the portal.
5. Upload required supporting information. Some simple permits still require a floor plan, window schedule, energy report, meter information or other documentation.
6. Pay and obtain the permit. Do not begin regulated work until the permit has been issued.

For Tier 2 projects requiring ProjectDox

ProjectDox is Burbank’s electronic plan-review system. A new applicant should not simply create a ProjectDox account first; the City requires an electronic invitation for a new project.

1. Download the correct application. Use the City’s Building Permit Applications page for residential, commercial, ADU, demolition, sign, solar and other current forms.
2. Prepare the invitation email. Include the completed application, uploader’s name, email and phone number, project address and a clear project description.
3. Add project details. For relevant projects, provide the work area in square feet, construction type, occupancy group, valuation and the trades being submitted, such as electrical, plumbing, mechanical, civil or landscape.
4. Attach prior entitlement approval if applicable. If Planning has already approved an entitlement, include the approval letter.
5. Email the request. Send the complete package to eplancheck@burbankca.gov. The City says applicants are normally contacted with further information within approximately three to seven business days.
6. Use the ProjectDox invitation. After access is granted, enter the ProjectDox portal and upload plans and supporting documents.
7. Complete the upload task. Merely uploading files does not necessarily submit them. Finish the assigned ProjectDox task so the City receives the submittal.
8. Pay plan-check fees when assessed. Formal review proceeds after the required review fees are paid.
9. Respond to corrections. Wait until the system releases the resubmittal task, then upload corrected documents without unnecessarily changing established file names.
10. Download approved plans and obtain the permit. After all required reviewers approve the project, follow the ProjectDox instructions, pay remaining permit fees and receive the permit before construction begins.

ProjectDox file rules that can prevent delays

• Use PDF for submitted plans.
• Do not include URLs or hyperlinks in drawing files.
• Upload each drawing sheet as an individual file.
• Use landscape orientation for plans.
• Name files in the format Sheet number-Sheet description.
• Keep plan-sheet file names to no more than 32 characters.
• Do not add unnecessary dates or version numbers to plan-sheet names.
• Supporting documents may be uploaded as multipage PDFs.

How to Schedule a Building Inspection in Burbank

Once permitted work reaches an inspection stage, request the inspection through Burbank Online Permits. The City asks applicants to request next-day inspections online and allows future scheduling up to three days in advance, excluding weekends and holidays.

1. Open Burbank Online Permits and sign in.
2. Select Schedule Inspection.
3. Enter the nine-digit permit number beginning with BS.
4. Verify that the correct project address appears.
5. Select the inspection date and required inspection type.
6. Add a useful note for the inspector if access or project conditions need explanation.
7. Submit the inspection request.
8. On the morning of the inspection, call Building Inspection staff between 7:00 a.m. and 7:45 a.m. at (818) 238-5220 to confirm the inspection time.

Cancel, check results or schedule another inspection

Use the same portal to cancel a scheduled inspection or open inspection results. More than one inspection can be requested when the project is ready for multiple required disciplines or stages.

A limited exception applies to homeowners personally performing their own construction without contractors or employees; the City publishes Sunday and holiday hours of 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. for that situation.

Burbank Building Permit Fees in 2026

Burbank does not use one flat building-permit price. Building and plan-check charges depend on the project type, size, scope, construction classification and any additional reviews or city services that apply.

For a reliable estimate, have the project address, square footage, valuation, occupancy or use, construction type and exact scope ready, then contact Building & Safety before budgeting from an unofficial online estimate.

Which Building Codes Apply in Burbank in 2026?

Effective January 1, 2026, Burbank adopted and enforces the 2025 California Building Standards Code together with Burbank’s local amendments in Title 9 of the Municipal Code.

The 2026 code framework includes the applicable:

• 2025 California Building Code.
• 2025 California Residential Code.
• 2025 California Electrical Code.
• 2025 California Mechanical Code.
• 2025 California Plumbing Code.
• 2025 California Energy Code / Building Energy Efficiency Standards.
• 2025 CALGreen requirements.
• 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface provisions where applicable.
• Other California codes and Burbank local amendments applicable to the project.

Review Burbank’s official building-code page before preparing final plans because local amendments can change requirements beyond the statewide model.

Work That May Be Exempt From a Building Permit

Some limited work is exempt from the building-permit requirement, but an exemption does not waive zoning, fire, property-line, utility or other legal requirements.

Fence and wall rules are especially easy to misread because zoning height limits can still apply even when a building permit is not required. Confirm the project against Burbank’s current zoning rules before construction.

How to Search Burbank Building Permits and Property Records

If you are buying property, checking previous work, researching a certificate of occupancy or looking for old inspection information, use the City’s records systems rather than relying only on seller or contractor paperwork.

For an active permit or inspection

Start with Burbank Online Permits. Applicants can use it for permit-related actions, payments and inspection functions.

For historical building documents

The City’s Public Records Portal provides access to City records including building permits, inspection records and certificates of occupancy when those records are available electronically.

Common Burbank Permit Problems and What to Do

When Other Burbank Departments May Be Involved

A building permit does not always complete every approval required for a project.

• Planning: zoning compliance, entitlements, development standards and certain project signs.
• Public Works: sidewalks, driveway approaches, excavation, street work, encroachments and other right-of-way activity.
• Fire Department: fire-life-safety systems and applicable fire review or inspections.
• Burbank Water and Power: electrical-service changes, meter requirements, solar-related steps and utility coordination.
• South Coast AQMD: asbestos-related survey, notification and work-practice requirements for applicable renovation and demolition work.

Official Burbank Building Resources

Burbank Building Department: 10 Frequently Asked Questions

Before You Start Work

For most Burbank projects, the safest sequence is simple: confirm zoning first, identify the correct permit tier, prepare the required plans and forms, obtain the issued permit, keep approved documents available at the job site and request inspections before regulated work is concealed. Use the City’s official portal for the final application, payment and inspection actions.