Building permits in Los Angeles, CA

Short answer: In Los Angeles, permits are issued by City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS); of the 16 common projects we checked, 10 always need a permit, 1 do not, and 4 depend on the details (1 unverified).

Permitting authority: City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS). Applies inside the City of Los Angeles only (not other cities or unincorporated LA County). Zoning sets fence heights separately from the building code. Fire hazard zones and hillside areas add rules.

Permit rules in Los Angeles
Project	Answer	Verified
ADU or garage conversion	Unverified, confirm locally LADBS lists ADUs among common permits, but we did not find an official page we could quote on their requirements.	2026-10-19
Deck	Depends on your project No permit for platforms and walks up to 30 in above grade and not over a basement or story. Higher decks need a permit.	2026-10-19
Driveway or patio	No permit required No building permit for walks and driveways up to 30 in above grade and not over a basement or story below.	2026-10-19
Electrical panel upgrade	Permit required Yes. Electrical work up to 400 amps in existing homes can get an express electrical permit with no plan check.	2026-10-19
EV charger	Permit required Yes. Home EV charger wiring, including any service upgrade, up to 400 amps is an express electrical permit.	2026-10-19
Fence	Depends on your project No building permit for most fences up to 10 ft (not pool barriers), or masonry and concrete fences up to 3.5 ft. Zoning height limits still …	2026-10-19
HVAC / AC replacement	Permit required Yes. Replacing an A/C unit with the same size and type is an express HVAC permit (no plan check).	2026-10-19
Interior / bathroom remodel	Permit required Yes. A non-structural kitchen or bathroom remodel is an Express Permit item (no plan check). Structural changes need plan check.	2026-10-19
Pool or hot tub	Permit required Yes. LADBS issues swimming pool permits, and a pool permit requires posting a Construction Site Notice. Pool barrier fences and pool wiring …	2026-10-19
Retaining wall	Depends on your project Some retaining walls are exempt under LAMC 91.101.5 item 4; others need a permit. We did not capture the exact height limit, so check with L…	2026-10-19
Roof replacement	Permit required Yes. Re-roofing is an Express Permit item at LADBS (no plan check). Over 50% replacement on a home needs a CRRC-rated cool roof product, and…	2026-10-19
Shed	Depends on your project Los Angeles has no specific small-shed exemption. Work valued at $2,500 or less is exempt unless it affects structural stability or public s…	2026-10-19
Siding replacement	Permit required Yes. New siding over sheathing and replacing siding with stucco are express permits.	2026-10-19
Solar panels	Permit required Yes. Small rooftop systems (10 kW or less on a one- or two-family home) qualify for streamlined or express online permits, which contractors…	2026-10-19
Water heater replacement	Permit required Yes. Replacing a water heater needs a plumbing permit (available as an Express Permit, no plan check). Only repairs that do not disconnect a…	2026-10-19
Window and door replacement	Permit required Yes. Changing out windows and doors (same size and type) is an express permit; replacements must be NFRC-certified dual glazing.	2026-10-19

Fee schedule: https://dbs.lacity.gov/services/homeowner-step-by-step

Other cities in California

All California cities · All cities · Permit guides

Not legal advice. Always confirm with your local building department. Rules change, and your parcel's zoning, HOA, historic district, floodplain or utility work can change the answer. We show the official source and the date we last checked it so you can verify for yourself.