The Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) Permit and Engineering Bureau is divided into two main groups, the Structural Division and the Green/MEP Division. These groups are responsible for issuing the following types of permits:

• Building Permits

• Mechanical Permits

• Electrical Permits

• Plumbing Permits

• Grading Permits

• Shoring Permits

• Fire Sprinkler Permits

• Fire Alarm Permits

• Elevator/Pressure Vessel Permits

Not sure what type of permits you need for your project or don’t see the type you’re looking for above? Reach out to our team to learn more!

The LADBS offers a few different types of plan check processes depending upon the scope of your project and the amount of time they need to review your drawings to ensure compliance with all code and life safety requirements. Your project would be subject to one of the following processes:

• Express Permits - no plan check required, permits are issued immediately

• Counter Plan Check - plan check is conducted same day for in-person submissions, and 1-3 working days for online submissions

• Expanded Counter Plan Check - plan check is conducted within 3-5 working days for both in-person and online submissions

• Regular Plan Check - plan check is conducted anywhere between 3-8 weeks depending upon the availability of plan check staff and current assignment times

The timelines provided above are generalized and can differ at the time of submission. They are also indicative of only the first review cycle and does not include timing for intake and application screening.

Not sure what path your project qualifies for or does your project require a strategic permitting workplan to get through the process as efficiently as possible? Reach out to our team to learn more!

Beyond just LADBS, the scope and size of your project may trigger other agency approvals, referred to as Clearances prior to the issuance of any Building Permit. These types of reviews might include:

• Disabled Access

• Green

• Zoning

• Planning

• Fire/Life Safety

• Fire Hydrants & Access

• Engineering Permits

• Transportation

• Sanitation Low Impact Development

• Sanitation Industrial Waste Management

• Street Services Urban Forestry

• LADWP

• Los Angeles Housing Department

In addition to City Agencies, sometimes County, State, or other regulatory jurisdictions may need to get involved with your project.

• CalOSHA Permits

• Health Permits

• Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority

This list is not exhaustive of all agencies that may get involved with your project, nor does it list every approval required through each of these departments. Wondering what approvals would be specific for your project? Reach out to our team to learn more!

All projects must be submitted through one of the aforementioned plan check processes to obtain a permit. However, they have created specialized groups within their divisions to focus certain reviewers on specific project types. Some of these include:

• Soft-Story Retrofit

• Adaptive Reuse

• Affordable Housing

• High-Rise and NDC Concrete Retrofits

• ADU Standard Plans

• Restaurant & Small Business Express Program

Additionally, they have developed certain programs to aid in the guidance and customer support efforts they offer:

• Development Service Case Management

• Preliminary Plan Check

• Parallel Design Permitting Process

• Inspection Case Management

• Temporary Special Events

Curious to learn how these different programs and services can affect your project - or not seeing a program or service you would like to know more about? Reach out to our team to learn more!

Please reach out to our team to learn more about these permits and processes and the best approach for your project!