The Building and Safety Division provides services to the community in their building and development projects.  Professional, trained staff performs field inspections at various phases of construction. These inspections are conducted to ensure that the project is in conformance with applicable Building codes. The Building department works collaboratively with other agencies to ensure that projects do not proceed without appropriate approvals.

HOW TO GET HELP

If you have any questions regarding building/construction permits, you can receive help in the following ways:

1. Come down - The Building Division is available from 7:30 to 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. to answer questions and process permits.

2. Send us your question via email.

3. Call the  Building Division at (562) 431-3538 Ext. 302

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

If you need to come to City Hall for a permit, having the following documents filled out will help to speed up the process.

1. Permit Worksheet

2. Construction Permit Application and Declaration

3. Owner-Builder Information

4. Property Owner Acknowledgement

Important Note for Contractors: Please be aware that in addition to contractors being required to have a city business license, any sub-contractor working on a project must have a city business license as well.  Please download the Sub-Contractors List Form and have it filled out at the job site at all times.  Projects will not be finaled by the city building inspector without this form.

USEFUL INFORMATIONAL HANDOUTS

• Attached Patio Cover

• Building Material Weights

• Building Design Limitations

• Concrete Block Wall

• Conventional Wood Frame Construction

• Electrical Load Calculations

• Electrical Panel Upgrade

• Fire Separation

• Gray Water Fact Sheet

• Hillside Construction

• Pipe Burial Depths

• Pool Barrier

• Residential Lighting Requirements

• Residential Required Plans

• Site Plan Sample

• Underground Gas Piping

• Water Heater

• Window Replacement

CONSTRUCTION PERMITS

Construction Permits are documents obtained through the Department of Community Development, Building Division, which authorizes the start of construction or remodeling of a building in the City of Los Alamitos.

There are five common types of permits:

1. Building Permit: Is required to construct or modify a building or structure.

2. Electrical Permit: Is required to install or modify an electrical system.

3. Plumbing Permit: Is required to install or modify a plumbing system.

4. Mechanical Permit: Is required to install or modify heating, ventilation, refrigeration, air conditioning and other related systems.

5. Fence Permit: Is required for any fence over three feet high or retaining wall over thirty inches high.

WHEN IS A PERMIT NEEDED?

Most major projects will require a permit of some kind. This is necessary to ensure that all buildings meet minimum standards which will protect its occupants and neighbors not only in everyday living, but also in case of emergencies and natural disasters.

However, some minor alterations are allowed without obtaining permits. The most common exceptions are:.

1. Erection of fences less than three feet high.

2. Construction of decks and platforms less than thirty inches high, open walkways, and driveways on grade.

3. Replacement of up to 400 square feet of roofing on an existing building in any twelve month period.

4. Installation of ceramic tile on floors and countertops, and on walls not more than forty-eight inches high. Replacement of any existing broken or damaged ceramic tiles.

5. Plaster patching not in excess of ten square yards.

6. Construction of pools not over two feet in depth, without electrical or plumbing fixtures.

7. Construction of cases, counters and partitions less than five feet high.

8. Construction of retaining walls and planter boxes under 30 inches high measured from bottom of footings.

(This list is a summary of Municipal Code Section 18.12.010; some items are excluded.)

Do you need a building permit for an upcoming residential project that is going to cost over $1,000?  Please be aware that as of January 1, 2011, you are now required to install battery operated CO2 detectors in your home.  For projects where the inspector will not be accessing the inside of your home (reroofs, patios, stucco repair), please have the homeowner fill out and sign this form to certify that CO2 detectors have been installed.

HOW DOES ONE APPLY?

Permits are issued by the Building Division in City Hall. On some simple jobs a permit can be obtained during the first visit. However, in most circumstances more time will be needed to review the plans in detail prior to issuing any permits.

A minimum of three complete sets of plans are required to obtain permits. The Building Official may waive this requirement. If plans are required they must include the following items:

WHO CAN OBTAIN A CONSTRUCTION PERMIT?

A permit will be issued to:

1. A property owner, for work on single family or duplex buildings, provided that the owner lives in one of the units.

2. A licensed contractor.

3. A non-resident property owner of a single family or commercial property if the value of the work does not exceed ten percent of the building's value in any 12 month period.

When a permit is taken out, the signature and identity of the applicant must be verified. A California Driver's License, State of California Identification Card, or other positive identification will meet this requirement.

Contractors working in the City of Los Alamitos are required to have a Los Alamitos business license.

If a contractor has employees, a Certificate of Workers' Compensation Insurance must be on file with the Planning and Building Department. Contractors working alone may waive this requirement, but must show a pocket copy of their State Contractors License.

PLAN CHECK

City engineers and planners will review the plans submitted with a permit application. This may result in design changes to comply with City regulations. The amount of time required for plan check depends on the size and complexity of the project.

Plan check fees prior to issuance of each type of permit are as follows:

• Building plan check at 65% of building permit fee;

• Mechanical plan check at 25% of mechanical permit fee;

• Electrical plan check at 50% of electrical permit fee;

• Plumbing plan check at 65% of plumbing permit fee.

ON-SITE INSPECTIONS

A City inspector will make one or more inspections of the project. These inspections ensure that the project will be safe and sound upon completion. After the job has received a final inspection, the building permit will be kept on file in the Building Division as proof of the work which was completed.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

The cost of a permit is based upon the valuation of the proposed project as determined by the type of construction, size of project and the specific use of the buildings or structures.

Building permit fees are generally about one percent of the valuation. Electrical, plumbing and mechanical permit fees, when required, each average from 10% to 20% of the building permit fees.

HOW LONG IS IT VALID?

Permits will remain active provided the construction is started within 180 days of permit issuance and at least one inspection is performed within each 180 days until the completion of the project.

Further information can be obtained by calling (562) 431-3538 Ext. 302 between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on alternate Fridays.

Copies of the Municipal Code are available from the Office of the City Clerk in City Hall or by clicking here.