Lancaster, CA Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

010 adopts the 2025 California Building Code, Chapter 1, Division II, incorporating the 2025 International Building Code with California amendments, as the Lancaster Administrative Code for Buildings and Construction. That adopted code becomes the administrative, organizational and enforcement framework governing site preparation and the construction, alteration, moving, demolition, repair, use, occupancy and maintenance of buildings, structures and building service equipment citywide, and a copy is kept on file with the Chief Building Official for public inspection. 1, to make it unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to erect, construct, alter, extend, repair, move, remove, demolish, occupy or maintain any building, structure, equipment, installation or land regulated by the technical codes in violation of those provisions; a related subsection extends that prohibition to owning, using, occupying or maintaining an unpermitted structure or unpermitted grading.

060 sets its expiration: work must start within 360 days, and a permit lapses if work is suspended or abandoned, meaning no substantial progress, for 180 days or more, though the Building Official can grant extensions in writing. 050 for minor roof-covering repairs totaling 100 square feet or 10% of the roof area, whichever is less, in any 12-month period, though even exempt repairs must still meet the building code's substantive requirements. 110, with a further appeal available to the city's Board of Appeals.