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Building Permits in Los Angeles: What Needs One and How Long It Takes

Permits are where most construction schedules are won or lost. This guide explains what needs a permit, how LADBS and the independent cities process them, what they cost and how to avoid the correction cycles that add months.

In this guide
  1. Which department
  2. What needs a permit
  3. Timelines
  4. Fees
  5. Avoiding corrections
Permit review time by project typeA bar chart of typical Los Angeles plan review times. Simple permits take days, a pre-approved standard plan ADU three to ten business days, a custom detached ADU eight to fourteen weeks, and a new house nine to eighteen months from design to permit.Water heater, panel, reroofSame day to a weekPre-approved standard plan ADU3 to 10 business daysKitchen or bath with drawings2 to 6 weeksGarage conversion ADU6 to 10 weeksCustom detached ADU8 to 14 weeksAddition under 500 sq ft6 to 12 weeksNew house, design to permit9 to 18 monthsWEEKS OF FIRST REVIEW · CITY OF LOS ANGELES
How long each kind of permit really takesFirst-review times in the City of Los Angeles. Every correction round adds another three to six weeks.

Which department

The City of Los Angeles, which covers Hollywood, most of the Valley, the westside neighborhoods inside city limits, South LA and the Harbor, uses the Department of Building and Safety at dbs.lacity.gov. Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, Culver City, Pasadena, Burbank, Glendale, Long Beach and the beach cities each run their own. Unincorporated areas go to LA County Public Works. We confirm jurisdiction by parcel, because mailing addresses mislead constantly.

What needs a permit

WorkPermit
Paint, flooring, cabinets, counters in placeUsually no
Retrofit windows in the same openingUsually no, but energy-code and escape-window rules apply
Water heater, panel upgrade, HVAC replacement, reroofYes, usually express or over the counter
Kitchen or bath with plumbing or electrical changesYes
Removing or adding walls, additions, ADUsYes, plan check with plans
Decks over 30 inches, retaining walls over set heightYes
Seismic retrofit, foundation workYes, engineered plans
Commercial tenant improvementsYes, plus Health for food, accessibility review

Timelines

  • Express and over-the-counter permits: same day to one week
  • Pre-approved standard plan ADUs: 3 to 10 business days of plan review
  • Kitchen and bath remodels with drawings: 2 to 6 weeks
  • Garage conversion ADU: 6 to 10 weeks for a first review
  • Custom detached ADU: 8 to 14 weeks for a first review
  • Residential addition under 500 sq ft: 6 to 12 weeks for a first review
  • Each correction round: another 3 to 6 weeks
  • New construction: 9 to 18 months including planning clearances

A complete ADU application carries a hard 60-day decision deadline under state law, plus 15 business days for the city to tell you whether the application is complete. Nothing else on this list has a statutory ceiling, so these are observed ranges rather than promises.

Fees

Permit fees are a percentage of the project valuation. Additions and new units also pay school district fees (per square foot), and some projects pay sewer, park and dwelling unit fees. Plan check fees are paid at submittal. We list known fees in every estimate.

Avoiding corrections

  • Submit a complete set: site plan, floor plans, elevations, structural, energy-code forms and details.
  • Verify zoning, setbacks and floor area before design.
  • Use the city's standard plans where they fit (ADUs, bolt and brace).
  • Respond to corrections in one coordinated resubmittal.

Los Angeles County figures, updated 2026-10-29. Planning ranges, not a quote, and not legal advice. Rules change, so we confirm what applies to your property before design.

Related questions

Who does this work

Roof framing going up on a single-storey addition

Room Additions

More square footage: a bedroom, a primary suite, a bigger family room, or a whole second floor.Detached accessory dwelling unit in a back garden

ADU & Garage Conversion

A second home on your lot: a backyard unit, a converted garage, or a unit carved out of the house.Wood framing on a two-storey house under construction

Ground-Up New Construction

Starting from an empty lot or a teardown and ending with a finished building.

Let's talk about your property.

Call, or send the address and what you want to do. We will walk it, confirm what the city allows, and send a written proposal with scope, cost and timeline.

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