Los Angeles, CA Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Fee basis
- Construction value, Table No. 1-A
- Fee review
- Annually every July 1
- Final inspection required
- Before Certificate of Occupancy
- Reroofing inspection waiver
- Available with contractor/owner certification
- Reinspection fee
- Separate charge under § 98.0412
Summary
Every Los Angeles building permit is tied to a fee based on construction value and to a mandatory inspection program. LAMC § 91.108.1 requires the Department of Building and Safety to inspect all permitted work through a final inspection before a Certificate of Occupancy issues, while § 91.107.2.1 sets the permit fee from the project's value under Table No. 1-A.
the Department shall collect a fee... the amount of the permit fee shall be as shown in Table No. 1-A of this code for the total value of all construction work for which the building permit is issued... All construction or work for which a permit is required shall be subject to inspection by authorized employees of the Department, and certain types of construction shall have continuous inspection by Registered Deputy Inspectors... Prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy... a final inspection shall be made by the Department of all construction or work for which a permit has been issued.
Full Breakdown
1 pegging the Building Permit fee to "Table No. 1-A of this code for the total value of all construction work for which the building permit is issued," folding in painting, roofing, electrical, plumbing, heating and fire-sprinkler work into one valuation. 1 requires the Superintendent of Building to review and adjust every fee annually every July 1st based on movement in a cost index. 109. 12 substitutes a private certification for a Department inspection visit. 0412, assessed separately from the original permit fee.
Violations & Fines
Working without paying the required permit fee, or covering inspected work before Department approval, exposes the responsible party to stop-work orders and penalty fees assessed on top of the standard Table No. 1-A charge. Concealing work that a required inspection under § 91.108.5 has not yet approved is itself a Code violation, and the covered portion must be exposed again for inspection before further work is approved.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a Los Angeles building permit fee calculated?
Is every permitted project in LA inspected?
Can I skip inspections on a reroofing permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Los Angeles
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Building Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle building permits.