Department Los Angeles Building Department 2026: Permits, Inspections & Services

Los Angeles Building Permits, Inspections and LADBS Services

If you are planning construction, remodeling, demolition, electrical work, plumbing, an addition, an ADU, or another building project inside the City of Los Angeles, the agency you will usually deal with is the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS).

LADBS handles plan review, building permits, construction inspections, code enforcement, building records, zoning-related tools and several specialized construction services. Most permit work can now start online, so you usually do not need to visit an office just to begin an application.

Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety: Quick Information

Official Online Services

How to Get a Building Permit in Los Angeles

The exact path depends on the size and type of work. A simple replacement or minor alteration may qualify for an Express Permit, while a new building, structural alteration, addition, change of use or more complicated project usually requires plans and plan review.

1. Confirm the property is within Los Angeles city jurisdiction.
   Search the address in ZIMAS. Review the parcel, zoning and property information before preparing plans.
2. Define the exact scope of work.
   Write down what you are building or changing, such as a room addition, remodel, roof work, electrical upgrade, plumbing alteration, demolition, ADU or change of occupancy.
3. Determine whether plans are required.
   LADBS issues Express Permits for qualifying simple work that does not require plan review. Larger or more complex projects go through Counter, Expanded Counter or Regular Plan Check.
4. Create an Angeleno account if using online services.
   LADBS states that PermitLA and ePlanLA use the City’s Angeleno account system. Visit account.lacity.gov and register or sign in.
5. Use PermitLA or ePlanLA.
   If the project qualifies for an Express Permit, open PermitLA. If plans must be reviewed, submit the project through ePlanLA.
6. Respond to plan-check corrections.
   For reviewed projects, LADBS may issue correction comments and may require approvals from other City, county or state agencies. Update the plans and resubmit the corrected documents.
7. Complete required clearances.
   Depending on the project, approvals may involve City Planning, the Los Angeles Fire Department, Bureau of Engineering, Sanitation, LADWP, Housing, Transportation, Public Works, Cultural Affairs, County Health or another agency.
8. Pay the required fees and obtain permit issuance.
   Do not begin regulated construction merely because an application was submitted. Wait until the required permit has actually been issued.
9. Request inspections as construction progresses.
   Work such as foundations, framing, electrical, plumbing, HVAC and other regulated components may need approval before they are covered or concealed.
10. Complete the final inspection.
    When the project is complete, request final inspection. If the project requires a Certificate of Occupancy, it is issued after the required approvals are completed.

What Types of Permits Does LADBS Handle?

LADBS lists permit and review services covering areas including:

• Building construction
• New buildings and additions
• Interior alterations and changes to floor plans
• Change of use or occupancy
• Demolition and building removal
• Electrical work
• Plumbing work
• Mechanical and HVAC work
• Fire sprinkler systems
• Grading
• Elevators and pressure vessels
• Signs and sign structures
• Disabled-access review
• Green building requirements
• Fences, retaining walls and certain structural work

Whether a specific job requires a permit depends on the exact scope, dimensions, location, zoning conditions and applicable code exemptions. Do not assume that a small project is automatically permit-exempt.

Express Permit or Plan Check?

Documents to Prepare Before Applying

Your exact document package depends on the work, but preparing the information below before starting can prevent avoidable delays:

• Property address and parcel information
• Clear description of the proposed construction
• Existing and proposed building use
• Estimated project valuation
• Owner information
• Contractor or authorized agent information, if applicable
• Architect or engineer information when required
• Site plan
• Floor plans
• Elevations
• Structural plans and calculations when applicable
• Mechanical, electrical or plumbing plans when required
• Energy and green-building documentation where applicable
• Required clearances from other agencies

LADBS maintains an extensive Forms and Publications library with permit applications, correction lists, information bulletins and technical documents.

Los Angeles Building Codes in 2026

Los Angeles entered a new building-code cycle on January 1, 2026. Current LADBS publications reference the 2026 Los Angeles Building Code (LABC), 2026 Los Angeles Residential Code and related 2026 city technical codes. The 2026 LABC incorporates and locally amends the statewide 2025 California Building Code framework.

This matters because a project submitted in 2026 may be reviewed under a different code cycle than an older permit application. For a broader explanation of the statewide standards, see our California Building Code 2026 guide.

Building Permit Fees

Los Angeles does not have one flat price for a building permit. The total can depend on project valuation, permit type, plan review, electrical/plumbing/mechanical work, grading, inspections, applicable surcharges and required agency clearances.

For a project-specific estimate, use the official LADBS Permit Fee Calculator. LADBS also publishes separate fee schedules for electrical, plumbing, mechanical, elevator, fire sprinkler, grading and other services.

How Los Angeles Building Inspections Work

Receiving a permit is only one part of the process. LADBS requires inspection of permitted construction at appropriate stages, and work must generally be inspected before regulated components are covered or concealed.

Common inspection stages can include:

• Excavation and foundation
• Concrete
• Framing
• Shear-wall and roof nailing
• Electrical work
• Plumbing
• Mechanical and HVAC systems
• Fire sprinkler work
• Grading
• Green building items
• Final inspection

Schedule an inspection step by step

1. Make sure the permit has been issued.
2. Complete the work only to the stage that needs inspection.
3. Do not cover the work before approval.
4. Open the LADBS inspection request service.
5. Enter the requested permit and project information.
6. Submit the inspection request and keep the confirmation details.
7. On inspection day, provide access to the work and required documents.

Have these items available during inspection

• A copy of the permit
• Approved plans when plan review was required
• The Building Card for applicable building permits
• Safe access to all work being inspected
• Any equipment required to inspect the work, such as a ladder where appropriate

You may also request an inspection by calling 3-1-1 within Los Angeles or (213) 473-3231 from outside the city.

Final Inspection and Certificate of Occupancy

After construction is completed and required inspections have passed, request the final inspection. Some projects then receive a Certificate of Occupancy, confirming that the building or affected occupancy is approved for its intended use.

Not every type of construction receives a new Certificate of Occupancy. Keep your final approval records, Certificate of Occupancy when issued, and Building Card with the property’s permanent records.

How to Check a Los Angeles Building Permit or Inspection Status

LADBS provides a Permit and Inspection Report service for active permit and inspection information. A practical way to reach the current tool is through the official Plan Review & Permitting page and choose Check Permit Status or Permit and Inspection Report.

For an existing project, keep these details handy:

• Property address
• Permit or application number
• Plan-check number if available
• Applicant or owner information

Search Los Angeles Building Permits and Property Records

LADBS now provides the PRISM — Permit & Records Information Search Module. It can be searched using an address, assessor parcel number, legal description, GIS PIN or document number.

The records system includes many categories of documents, including:

• Building permits dating back to 1905
• Certificates of Occupancy dating back to 1940
• Plot plans
• Geology and soils reports
• Affidavits and zoning-related records
• Approved building plans where available
• Board files
• Administrative approvals
• Selected electrical, plumbing and mechanical records

Micro-step: find a permit by address

1. Open LADBS PRISM.
2. Select the Address search option.
3. Enter the street number and street name.
4. Add the street type or ZIP code if needed to narrow the result.
5. Run the search.
6. Open the relevant property record.
7. Review permits, documents and available timeline information.

How to Obtain Official Building Records or Blueprints

If a document is not available through the online records system, LADBS may be able to provide it through the Records Section.

For ordinary building records, LADBS accepts a completed Records Research Request Form by email at Records.LADBS@lacity.org. In-person records appointments are available at the Metro and Van Nuys offices.

Copies of blueprints have additional access requirements. LADBS states that requests generally require a current owner’s grant deed and written authorization from the property owner and, when applicable, the licensed architect or engineer of record.

Report Unpermitted Construction or a Building-Code Violation

LADBS also investigates construction and property-code complaints. Examples can include construction without permits, improper building use, unsafe conditions and other possible code violations.

How to submit a complaint

1. Open the official LADBS Report Violation page.
2. Select the complaint category that matches the property.
3. Provide the property address and relevant details.
4. Describe the suspected violation clearly.
5. Submit the complaint.
6. Use the complaint-status service if you need to follow the case.

Complaints involving duplexes or apartments may be routed differently, including to the Los Angeles Housing Department, so choose the correct property type on the official complaint page.

LADBS Development Services Centers

LADBS currently lists five Development Services Centers. Services differ by location, so check the office page before traveling.

Office schedules and available services can change. Before visiting, check the official LADBS locations page. LADBS also notes that in-person permitting services may require an appointment.

Which LADBS Office Should You Use?

The Metro office provides the broadest combination of plan check, permits, records, inspection, code enforcement, case management and trade-licensing services. Van Nuys also handles permits, records, plan review and inspections.

West LA focuses primarily on permitting and plan-check services. South LA offers permitting and code-enforcement services, while San Pedro provides permitting, inspections and code enforcement.

If you only need to submit an online permit or ePlan project, you may be able to complete the process without visiting a counter.

City of Los Angeles vs. Los Angeles County Building Department

This is one of the most important things to understand before applying. LADBS serves properties within the City of Los Angeles. It does not automatically handle every property in Los Angeles County.

Los Angeles County contains many independent cities with their own permitting agencies. For example, a property in Beverly Hills uses that city’s Building & Safety services rather than LADBS. See our Beverly Hills Building Department guide for that process.

Other communities also have separate local systems. Our Agoura Hills Building Department guide explains another Los Angeles County city’s permit and inspection process.

Common Reasons a Los Angeles Permit Gets Delayed

• Using the wrong permitting jurisdiction
• Submitting incomplete plans
• Plans not matching the written scope of work
• Zoning issues discovered after plans were prepared
• Missing structural calculations
• Incomplete energy or green-building documentation
• Unresolved plan-check corrections
• Missing Planning, Fire, Public Works or other agency clearances
• Incorrect owner, contractor or applicant information
• Beginning or covering work before required inspections

Practical Checklist Before You Submit

• Confirm City of Los Angeles jurisdiction.
• Check zoning in ZIMAS.
• Write a clear project scope.
• Check whether the job qualifies for an Express Permit.
• Prepare drawings if plan review is required.
• Check 2026 Los Angeles code requirements.
• Identify outside-agency clearances early.
• Create your Angeleno account.
• Use PermitLA or ePlanLA as appropriate.
• Do not cover inspected work before approval.
• Keep permits, approved plans and the Building Card at the job site.
• Request final inspection when all permitted work is complete.

Frequently Asked Questions

Information reviewed for 2026. Permit requirements, fees, counter schedules and project-specific code requirements can change. Use the linked City of Los Angeles services for the final application, payment, inspection request or official determination.