If you’re getting ready to break ground on a new building or demolishing an old one to start fresh, the simple answer is: yes, you'll need a permit. But what if you’re remodeling an existing structure? The answer may be "no" or “it depends.”
Before you schedule the construction crew or take a sledgehammer to your back wall, a little research can save you time from frustrating and expensive delays caused by a missing or incorrect Los Angeles construction permit. Working with a trusted permit expediting partner like Burnham Nationwide can help you avoid these costly mistakes.
Conduct a Property Search
Researching a property's permit history used to involve a lengthy and time-consuming trip to the Los Angeles Building and Safety Records counter. Now the same search can be performed online with a few clicks of a mouse.
There are over 13 million property records for Los Angeles County, dating back to 1905. These records include valuable information like:
- Past permits and appeals
- Building modification appeals and approvals
- Grading files
- Commission files
- Certificate of occupancy
- Past code violations and resolutions
- Legal description of the property, including zoning
- Descriptions of permitted projects done on the property
- Approvals and denials of permit and permit variance requests
- Information on specific requirements for properties in “Overlay” or “Specific Plan” areas
Understanding a property's permit history is an important first step in staying code compliant and avoiding delays.
Determine the Type of Permit You Need
Not every project requires the same level of reveiw. For very small DIY projects that don’t change the existing property characteristics, you may not need a permit at all. For example, if you’re replacing a gas water heater, you may qualify for an Express Permit - especially when the contractor doing the work is licensed and certified.
Medium-sized, less complex projects that impact plumbing, gas lines, grading, or electrical systems likely require a permit. Many of these can be handled through LADBS.org’s online express permitting system, or get a simple, in-person plan check in under an hour.
More complex projects require multiple permits and reviews. This is where permit expediting services are really important and valuable. Burnham Nationwide helps project teams navigate these requirements, avoid mistakes, and stay compliant with local code regulations.
Common permits required for large-scale projects include:
- Full plan approval
- Work permits
- Permits to allow for use of heavy construction equipment
- Environmental permits for features like underground storage tanks, storm water runoff, flood control, etc.
- Solar/photovoltaic permits
- Electrical vehicle charger permits
- Plumbing, electrical, grading, fencing, fire suppression, roads/walks/driveways, trenching, signage, etc.
Submit a Building Plan
Before you begin a project, your project must go through a plan check to make sure it is complete and code compliant. The components of a complete plan will be broken out into sections covering:
- Property grading and excavation
- Foundation
- Overall building plan
- Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning
- Electrical
- Plumbing
- Fire suppression
Once submitted, the plan will be carefully review by multiple engineers to ensure it meets all building codes and safety requirements. It is very common for plans to be returned with comments that require corrections and revisions before the final approval. Once the plan is approved, the appropriate Los Angeles building permits will be issued, allowing your project to move forward.
It is important to keep in mind that the Los Angeles construction permits process can be much more complex than this brief overview. With strict regulations, evolving codes and plenty of opportunities for the inexperienced owner or contractor to make mistakes.
That's where Burnham Nationwide can help. Our team specializes in permit expediting and code compliance, they have the expertise to get your building project through the permitting process as efficient as possible.
