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Building Construction Permits

What is a Building Construction Permit?

A building permit is permission to build, change or fix things on your property. The permit process ensures your project meets building code standards and follows local rules.

Who Issues the Permit?

If your property is in unincorporated LA County, LA County Public Works will issue your permit. If your property is outside of LA County’s jurisdiction, another office may handle your permit.

What are Common Types of Permits?

  • Residential Permits: Homes and garages.
  • Commercial Permits: Offices, stores, and restaurants.
  • Trade/Type Permits: Including pools, signs, solar panels, retaining walls, sewer, demolition, etc.

Office Locations

We are here to help you get the permits you need for your building projects. LA County Public Works offers building services to:

  • 10 District Offices for unincorporated communities.
  • 9 City Offices for incorporated cities.
Find Your Nearest Office

Contact

Do you have questions about permits? Need help with your project?

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Apply for a Sewer Tap and Saddle Installation Permit using EPIC-LA

What is EPIC-LA?

EPIC-LA is Los Angeles County’s online system for managing permits and inspections. It helps residents, businesses, and developers oversee their building projects from start to finish. Whether you’re constructing a home, upgrading your property, or planning a large project, EPIC-LA provides a centralized platform to handle all permitting needs. Take a look at the major features of EPIC-LA below.

Application

Use EPIC-LA to submit the application for your permit and inspection online

Application

Apply online for all your permitting and inspection needs

Document Upload

Submit electronic copies of all your plans and supporting documentation

Fee Payment

Pay all permit and inspection fees electronically

Status

Use EPIC-LA to track and manage the progress of your application

Status Updates

Receive comments and notifications electronically

Contacts

Gives others access to real-time feedback, comments and notifications.

Collaboration

Allow collaboration between the Department, applicants, and design teams

Apply for a Building Construction Permit

Step 1: Find the Right Office

      1. Go to the Service Locator.
      2. Enter your Los Angeles County street address or parcel number (numbers only, no dashes).
      3. Click Find Services to see which office gives permits for your area.
        • If LA County handles it, you’ll get the contact info for your local Building and Safety office.
        • If another office handles it, their contact info will show up.
        • Note: The Service Locator only works for addresses within Los Angeles County.

    Step 2: If Required, Make a Plan Check Required for Your Permit.

    1. Contact your local office (by phone or email shown in the Service Locator) to ask what’s required for your project. A plan check is when experts review your project plans to make sure they meet safety, building, and environmental standards.
    2. If required, submit your plans for review with your permit application.
    Contact Us

    Step 3: Apply for Your Permit

    1. Go to EPIC-LA and log in or create a new account.
    2. Click on Apply and search for the type of permit you need.
    3. Follow these steps:
    • Location
    • Description/Type
    • Contacts
    • Attachments (includes any required plans)
    • Review and Submit

    Step 4: If Required, Submit Plans and Pay Fees

    1. Upload your plans to EPIC-LA as attachments in Step 3.
    2. Wait for your invoice after the County confirms all required documents are available.
    3. Pay any applicable review fees to begin the plan review process.

    Step 5: County Reviews Your Project

    1. The County will review your plans and let you know if changes are needed:
      • If Not Approved: You’ll get an email listing needed corrections to make before resubmitting.
      • If Approved: You’ll get an email about next steps for permit issuance.

    Step 6: Get Your Per mit

    1. Submit any required forms for permit issuance.
    2. Once forms are submitted and approved, the County will issue your permit.
    3. You can now start your project!

    Step 7: Schedule Inspections

    1. Inspections are needed to make sure the work being done matches the permit.
    2. Use EPIC-LA to request inspections.

    Examples of inspections include:

    • General Inspection (e.g., checking walls and structures)
    • Grading Inspection (e.g., checking slopes or soil changes)
    • Final Inspection (to close out the project).

    Important Notes:

    • Request your first inspection within 12 months of getting your permit.
    • Schedule follow-up inspections every 6 months to keep your permit active.

    Choose Permit Type and Work Category (Work Class)

    What is a Permit Type and Work Category (Work Class)?

    Before you begin your project, you’ll need the right permit type and work category. This section explains what these terms mean and helps you pick the right one for your project, whether you’re building something new, making changes, or doing repairs.

    Permit Type

    Permit Type tells us what kind of project you are doing. 

    Examples include:

    • Building permits (for homes, stores, offices, etc.)
    • Electrical permits (for wiring, lights, or outlets).
    • Plumbing permits (for pipes, sinks, or toilets).

    Work Category (Work Class)

    Work Category (Work Class) tells us how big or small the project is and what kind of work is being done. 

    Examples include:

    • New: Building something brand new, like a house or garage.
    • Addition/Alteration: Removing from or adding to something that’s already built, like remodeling a kitchen or building an extra room.
    • Repair/Replacement: Fixing or replacing existing elements.

    Select Permit Type and Work Category (Work Class)

    Building Permits

    • Residential: Homes, garages, and duplexes.
      • New: Building a new house or garage.
      • Addition/Alteration: Adding a new room, converting a garage into living space.
      • Repair/Replacement: Fixing a roof or replacing windows.
    • Multifamily: Apartments or buildings with 3 or more living units.
    • Commercial: Stores, restaurants, or offices.
    • Mixed Use: Buildings with both stores and apartments.
    • Hotel/Motel: Hotels and motels.

    Electrical Permits

    For projects that involve electrical systems, like wiring or lights.

    • Simple: Small work that doesn’t need a detailed plan, like replacing an outlet.
    • Complex: Bigger work that requires a detailed plan, like rewiring a new structure..

    Plumbing and Sewer Permits

    For work involving water, pipes, plumbing systems, house sewer, or private sewage disposal work.

    • Simple: Fixing a sink or replacing a toilet.
    • Complex: Installing all new pipes for a home.

    Mechanical Permits

    For heating, air conditioning, or ventilation work.

    • Simple: Installing a small air conditioning unit.
    • Complex: Adding a full heating or air conditioning system to a new structure.

    Grading Permits

    For projects that change the land, like moving soil or creating slopes.

    Pool and Spa Permits

    For building or installing pools or spas.

    • Standard Plan Option: Using a pre-approved design for the pool structure.
    • Site Plan: Creating a custom design for your property.

    Solar Permits

    For installing solar panels to generate electricity.

    • Roof Mount Residential: Solar panels on a home’s roof.
    • Roof Mount Commercial: Solar panels on a commercial roof.
    • Ground Mount: Solar panels installed on the ground.

    Express Permits

    Fast permits for small residential projects that don’t need detailed plans.
    Examples:

    • Replacing plumbing or electrical fixtures.

    Need Help?

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