Building permits in Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles (Los Angeles County) follows California's statewide codes, but runs its own permit intake, forms, fees, and review timelines through its building department. Here's the general picture for the trades — and where to confirm the specifics.
LADBS runs LA's permit process through two online portals — PermitLA for express permits that do not require plan review, and ePlanLA for projects that do (electronic plan review and issuance) — plus in-person service at the Development Services Centers. Both portals require a free Angeleno account. LA has adopted the 2025 California Building Code (Title 24 Part 2) and the 2025 California Residential Code via the LA Building Code (LAMC Chapter IX).
Verified local data — Los Angeles
Every fact below is sourced from a public City of Los Angeles document or portal page. Each carries the source URL and the date we last verified it.
- Permit portal
- PermitLA + ePlanLA (LADBS online permits)
verified May 22, 2026 · source · PermitLA (https://permitla.lacitydbs.org) handles express permits that do not require plan review; ePlanLA (https://eplanla.lacity.org) handles permits that require plan check. Both require a free Angeleno account.
- Submission methods
Online · In-person
verified May 22, 2026 · source · Online via PermitLA + ePlanLA; in-person by appointment at any of LADBS's Development Services Centers (Metro, Van Nuys, West LA, San Pedro)
- Adopted code edition
2025 California Building Code (LA Building Code, LAMC Chapter IX)
verified May 22, 2026 · source · Per Council File 25-1217 (ordinance amending LAMC Chapter IX, December 2025); LA adopts the 2025 California Building Code and 2025 California Residential Code with local amendments
- Fee schedule
- LADBS Fee Schedules — building permit valuation table, plan check fees, and per-trade fee tables
verified May 22, 2026 · source
Other local notes
PermitLA handles express permits — simple construction projects that do not require plan review (per LADBS's Express Permit Eligibility list). For projects that need plan check, file through ePlanLA.
verified May 22, 2026 · source
Both PermitLA and ePlanLA require an Angeleno account — the single sign-on used across LA City services (Bureau of Engineering, City Planning, LADBS). Contractors must also have a current City Business Tax Registration and a CSLB license matching the work.
verified May 22, 2026 · source
In-person service is by appointment at any of LADBS's Development Services Centers: Metropolitan (downtown), Van Nuys, West LA, and San Pedro. The same online accounts work across all four offices.
verified May 22, 2026 · source
Fees are calculated from a building-permit valuation table plus per-trade fee tables (electrical, plumbing, mechanical, grading, fire sprinkler), with the LADBS Permit Fee Calculator providing project-specific estimates before filing.
verified May 22, 2026 · source
Official building department
Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS)Verified Los Angeles specifics are shown above. For project-specific fees, timelines, and counter staff, this department is the authority.
Permits by trade in Los Angeles
Electrical permits
Service panel upgrades · Rewires and circuit additions · EV charger installs →
Plumbing permits
Water heater replacement · Repipes · Sewer line repair →
HVAC permits
AC / furnace changeouts · Heat pump installs · Mini-split systems →
ADU permits
New detached ADU · Garage or accessory-structure conversion · Junior ADU (JADU) within the existing home →
Solar permits
Rooftop solar PV systems · Battery energy storage (ESS) · Solar + storage retrofits →
Roofing permits
Full roof replacement (tear-off) · Re-roof / overlay where allowed · Structural sheathing or deck repair →
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