Do You Need a Permit in Los Angeles? Here’s What Homeowners Should Know.
Learn which projects in Los Angeles require building permits and why compliance matters. From remodels and ADUs to structural changes, Land Works Consulting helps guide you through LADBS requirements and approvals.
If you’re planning any type of construction, remodel, or home improvement project in Los Angeles, one of the first questions you’ll face is: “Do I need a permit for this?”
In most cases, the answer is yes — especially in LA, where zoning rules, building codes, and safety requirements are strictly enforced.
Understanding permit requirements early can save you from costly delays, correction notices, and stop-work orders. Here’s a simple breakdown to help you know when a permit is required and why it matters.
Common Projects That Require a Permit in Los Angeles
Most homeowners are surprised at how many “small” jobs require approval. In LA, you must obtain a permit for work that changes the structure, layout, safety, or utility systems of a property.
Here are the most common examples:
Structural changes
Plumbing or mechanical work
Electrical upgrades
Exterior changes
New builds & additions
If your project affects structure, utilities, life-safety systems, or square footage, you almost always need a permit.
Why Permits Matter in Los Angeles
Los Angeles has one of the most complex permitting systems in the country. LADBS permits protect:
Safety — ensuring work is built to code
Legal compliance — preventing violations or stop-work orders
Value — unpermitted work can lower resale value
Insurance coverage — unpermitted repairs may not be covered
Skipping permits often leads to expensive problems later.
How Land Works Consulting Helps
Permitting in Los Angeles can be overwhelming — zoning rules, plan check corrections, city submittal requirements, and long review times can stall a project for months.
That’s where we come in.
Land Works Consulting handles the full process for you:
Reviewing your scope to determine which permits you need
Preparing your submittal package
Coordinating with LADBS and planning departments
Managing corrections and resubmittals
Guiding you from start to final approval
We help you avoid delays, prevent mistakes, and keep your project moving forward.
If you’re unsure whether your project requires a permit, we’ll guide you through it.
Contact Us:
info@landworksconsulting.com
Land Works Consulting
Permitting • Entitlements • Zoning • Development Support
Serving Los Angeles County & surrounding areas.
The Essential LADBS Permit Checklist (2025 Guide for Los Angeles Property Owners & Developers)
It all begins with an idea.
When you're preparing to submit plans to LADBS (Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety), even one missing document can delay your entire project. At Land Works Consulting, we help homeowners, architects, and developers navigate the Los Angeles permitting process every day and the #1 reason projects get delayed is incomplete submissions.
To help you avoid preventable setbacks, here is the exact LADBS checklist you should review before submitting your permit package.
1. Complete Set of Architectural Plans
LADBS requires a full, coordinated drawing set that clearly shows the scope of work. This typically includes:
Site plan
Floor plans
Elevations
Roof plan
Sections & details
Window/door schedule
Your plans must follow LADBS formatting standards and include all required notes and legends. Missing details (like fire blocking, egress windows, or structural notes) are one of the biggest causes of corrections.
2. Structural Plans & Calculations
If your project involves framing changes, additions, or load-bearing modifications, LADBS will require:
Structural plans
Structural calculations
Lateral analysis (shear walls, hold-downs, etc.)
Ensure that the architect and engineer have coordinated everything mismatched sheets almost always result in corrections.
3. Title 24 Energy Calculations
All new construction and most remodels require updated Title 24 documentation to show your build meets California’s energy efficiency standards. Even small inconsistencies between T-24 and architectural plans can lead to immediate rejection.
4. Soils Report (If Required)
For hillside properties, additions, or new construction, LADBS may require:
Geotechnical report
Grading plan
Slope analysis
If your property is in a special hillside or liquefaction zone, this step becomes mandatory.
5. LADBS Forms and Supporting Documents
Common documents include:
Permit application
Owner-builder verification (if applicable)
Agent authorization form
Plot plan checklist
Clearance worksheet
Submitting without the correct forms is one of the most frequent mistakes we see.
6. Clearances From Other Agencies
Depending on your project location, LADBS may require clearance from:
Public Works
Fire Department
Housing + Community Investment
Bureau of Sanitation
City Planning
Missing a required clearance can delay approval for weeks.
7. Digital File Formatting Requirements
Since LADBS now requires digital submissions, all files must be:
Flattened
Properly labeled
Combined in the correct order
Uploaded in PDF
Under the maximum file size
Incorrect formatting is a surprisingly common reason for rejection especially for architect-submitted plans.
Why This Checklist Matters
Every correction slows you down.
A complete, organized submittal can reduce your processing time by 2–4 weeks, prevent rejections, and keep your project moving.
At Land Works Consulting, we submit hundreds of permits each year. We know exactly what LADBS expects and how to avoid delays.
Need Help Submitting Your LADBS Permit?
If you want your permit submitted correctly on the first try, our team handles:
✔ Full permit expediting
✔ LADBS submissions & corrections
✔ Entitlements
✔ Clearances
✔ Plan check coordination
✔ Communication with the city
Whether you're a developer, architect, contractor, or homeowner, we make the process simple.
→ Contact Land Works Consulting today for a fast, stress-free permit submission.
ADU Permit Requirements in Los Angeles (2025 Guide): What You MUST Have Before Submitting
It all begins with an idea.
Building an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) in Los Angeles is one of the best ways to add value, create rental income, or expand your property but the permitting process can feel overwhelming. LADBS has strict requirements, and even a single missing document can delay your project for weeks.
To help homeowners, architects, and developers avoid unnecessary corrections, here is the complete ADU permit requirements checklist you must follow in Los Angeles for a smooth approval process.
1. Complete Architectural Plan Set
Every ADU requires a full, detailed plan set that follows LADBS standards. This includes:
Site plan with property lines, setbacks, and utility connections
Floor plan
Roof plan
Exterior elevations
Building sections & construction details
Door & window schedules
Your plans must clearly identify the ADU as attached, detached, or garage conversion, as this affects zoning and structural requirements.
2. Zoning Compliance Review
Before submitting, verify your property meets zoning rules:
ADUs are allowed on all R-zones and many non-residential zones
Must follow setback regulations (generally 4 ft side/rear for detached ADUs)
Maximum ADU size (typically 1,200 sq ft)
Height limits, especially near property lines
Parking requirements (may be waived if near public transit)
Failure to confirm zoning compliance is one of the most common rejection reasons at LADBS.
3. Structural Plans & Calculations
Structural documentation is required for all ADUs, especially:
Second-story ADUs
Garage conversions (raising ceilings, replacing slab, new beams)
Additions to existing structures
New construction ADUs
Your engineer must provide:
✔ Structural plans
✔ Calculations
✔ Shear wall layout
✔ Foundation details
All structural pages must coordinate perfectly with architectural plans.
4. Title 24 Energy Compliance
California mandates updated Title 24 energy calculations for all ADUs. These must match:
Window sizes
Insulation values
Mechanical systems
Roofing materials
Any mismatch between T-24 and the plans nearly always results in corrections.
5. Utility & Infrastructure Requirements
LADBS requires verification of utility connections, including:
Electrical load calculations
Plumbing layout (sewer & supply lines)
Location of existing vs. new meters
Gas line verification (if applicable)
For garage conversions, LADBS may require proof that the existing slab is structurally adequate or that it is being replaced.
6. Required LADBS Forms
Common forms needed for ADU approval include:
Building permit application
Plot plan checklist
Agent authorization (if LWC is submitting for you)
Owner-builder declaration (if applicable)
Waste Management Plan (some jurisdictions)
Submitting incomplete or outdated forms is a frequent source of delays.
7. Clearances From Other Agencies
Based on location, your ADU may require approval from:
City Planning (zoning review)
Public Works (sewer capacity)
Fire Department (setbacks, access roads)
Housing Department (if rent-controlled property)
Sanitation (utility verification)
Not all ADUs need every clearance but missing the required ones will stop your permit.
8. Digital Submission Requirements
LADBS requires plan files to meet strict digital formatting:
PDFs must be flattened
All pages correctly labeled
Files combined in the correct order
Size limits adhered to
Separate uploads for T-24, structural, and specialized reports
Incorrect file formatting is one of the top reasons non-expediters struggle with ADU submissions.
Why ADU Permitting Is Complicated in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is one of the busiest permitting jurisdictions in the U.S., and ADUs have their own unique rules. A proper submittal can cut your approval time by 2–6 weeks.
At Land Works Consulting, we handle the entire process so you don’t have to from zoning review to final approval.
Need Help Getting Your ADU Permit Approved Fast?
Our team specializes in helping homeowners, developers, and contractors get ADU permits approved without delays.
We handle:
✔ Full ADU permit submissions
✔ LADBS coordination & corrections
✔ Zoning and feasibility checks
✔ Utility verification
✔ Entitlements (if needed)
✔ Clearances from all agencies
Whether you’re building a new construction ADU, garage conversion, or attached ADU, we make the process fast and stress-free.
→ Contact Land Works Consulting today to get started with your ADU permit.
Common LADBS Mistakes That Cause Delays
It all begins with an idea.
Navigating the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) can be one of the most time-consuming parts of any construction project. Whether you’re planning an ADU, addition, remodel, or new build, small mistakes during plan check or permit submittal can lead to months of avoidable delays.
At Land Works Consulting, we see the same issues come up again and again. Below are the most common LADBS mistakes that slow projects down and how to prevent them.
Incomplete or Inconsistent Plan Sets
One of the biggest causes of LADBS corrections is submitting plans that don’t fully match across disciplines.
Common issues include:
Architectural plans that don’t align with structural sheets
Missing dimensions, notes, or details
Inconsistent square footage or room labels
Plans not reflecting existing site conditions
Even minor discrepancies can trigger multiple rounds of corrections.
How to avoid it:
Before submittal, plans should be reviewed holistically architectural, structural, Title 24, and site conditions all working together.
Missing Required Documents at Submittal
LADBS requires specific documents depending on the project scope, zoning, and location. Missing just one can stall the entire review process.
Frequently overlooked items:
Title 24 energy reports
Soils or geology reports
Existing conditions documentation
Fire department clearances (when applicable)
Owner authorizations or affidavits
How to avoid it:
Each project needs a tailored submittal checklist not a one-size-fits-all approach.
Zoning and Code Assumptions
Many delays happen when plans are designed based on assumptions rather than verified zoning and code requirements.
Examples include:
Setback violations
Exceeding allowable height or FAR
Incorrect ADU classifications
Parking miscalculations
When zoning issues are flagged during plan check, revisions can be extensive and time-consuming.
How to avoid it:
A zoning and feasibility review should happen before plans are finalized not after submittal.
Poorly Prepared Correction Responses
Receiving LADBS corrections is normal but how you respond matters.
Common mistakes:
Partial or vague responses
Ignoring certain comments
Revising plans without clearly addressing the correction list
Resubmitting without a coordinated response letter
This often leads to repeat corrections and longer review cycles.
How to avoid it:
Correction responses should be clear, organized, and fully coordinated across all plan sets.
No Active Follow-Up with LADBS
Submitting plans is only part of the process. Without follow-up, projects can sit untouched in queues longer than necessary.
Issues we often see:
Missed resubmittal windows
Delays in routing between departments
No escalation when plans stall
How to avoid it:
Active permit management tracking status, communicating with reviewers, and following up strategically keeps projects moving.
How Land Works Consulting Helps Prevent Permit Delays
At Land Works Consulting, we manage the permit process from start to finish so your project doesn’t get stuck in the LADBS system.
Our services include:
Permit strategy + feasibility studies
Zoning and code analysis
Complete permit submittal management
LADBS correction responses
Ongoing city coordination and follow-ups
On-site support and inspection coordination
Whether you’re a homeowner, builder, architect, or developer, our goal is simple: reduce delays, avoid rework, and keep your project on schedule.
Need Help With an LADBS Permit?
If your project is stalled or you want to avoid delays before submitting Land Works Consulting is here to help.
📍 Serving Los Angeles, LA County, Glendale, Pasadena, and surrounding cities
Contact us to get started today