Hawthorne, CA Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopted code
- 2022 California Building Code, § 15.05.010
- Local exemption
- Fences not over 6 ft, § 15.04.040
- Plan review expiration
- 180 days inactive, extendable to 2 years
- Work-before-permit fee
- Equal to the required permit fee
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor, up to $1,000 fine/6 months jail
Summary
Hawthorne enforces the 2022 California Building Code, as locally amended, for construction citywide, and Municipal Code § 15.04.040 narrows the state's permit exemption list so that only fences six feet or under are exempt from a building permit.
Pursuant to the provisions of Sections 50020, and 50022.1 to 50022.10, inclusive, of the Government Code of the state ... the rules, regulations, provisions and conditions set forth in that certain code entitled the "2022 California Building Code," including the Appendices F, J, and O and Standards ... are hereby established and adopted ... and the same shall be designated, known and referred to as the "building code" of and for the city. ... Section [A] 105.2, Building Item 2, of the 2022 California Building Code is amended to read as follows: 2. Fences not over 6 feet (1,829 mm) high.
Full Breakdown
10, establishing it as the city's building code for construction, alteration, movement, repair, use, and demolition of buildings and structures. 030 gives the building official authority to adopt clarifying rules and to approve variations or omissions that are not detrimental to life, health, safety, or public welfare. 2, Building Item 2, so that the only structure exempted from that item is a fence not over six feet (1,829 mm) high, tightening the exemption compared with the unmodified state list. 050 sets a 180-day expiration on an inactive permit application, with the building official able to grant one or more 90-day extensions up to a two-year cap.
060 lets the building official charge an investigation fee, generally equal to the permit fee, when work begins before a permit is obtained, on top of the standard permit fee itself.
Violations & Fines
Beginning work before obtaining the required permit exposes the property owner or contractor to an investigation fee equal to the permit fee under § 15.04.060, in addition to the permit fee itself. Any violation of Title 15's adopted codes, including constructing or altering a building contrary to approved plans or a building official's directive, is a misdemeanor under § 15.04.070, punishable by up to a $1,000 fine, six months in jail, or both, with each day of continued violation a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What building code governs permits in Hawthorne right now?
Do I need a permit to build a backyard fence in Hawthorne?
What if I start construction before getting a Hawthorne permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hawthorne
California rules heatmap·Compare Hawthorne to another location·View the California building safety overview
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