Understanding Permits and Approvals for Home Construction in Los Angeles
One of the most common surprises homeowners face during a remodel is the permitting process. In Los Angeles, construction permits are managed through LADBS (Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety), and nearly every structural, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical change requires one. Understanding the process upfront saves time, money, and headaches.
What Requires a Permit?
Most significant home improvements require a permit in Los Angeles. This includes kitchen remodels involving electrical or plumbing changes, bathroom additions or alterations, room additions, ADU construction, structural wall removal, HVAC replacements, and electrical panel upgrades. Simple cosmetic work like painting, flooring, or cabinet replacement typically does not require a permit.
The LADBS Permit Process
The permit process in Los Angeles generally follows these steps: plan check submission (either over the counter for simple projects or through the standard review for larger scopes), plan approval, permit issuance, inspections during construction, and final sign-off. For ADUs and full home remodels, the plan check alone can take 8–22 weeks depending on the project type and current LADBS backlog.
Why Unpermitted Work Is a Risk
Unpermitted work creates serious liability. When you sell your home, unpermitted additions or renovations can trigger costly retroactive permits, require demolition of completed work, or kill a sale entirely. Insurance companies may deny claims on damage related to unpermitted work. Lenders are increasingly scrutinizing permit histories on properties.
How We Do Constructions Handles Permitting
We Do Constructions manages the entire LADBS permit process in-house. Our team prepares permit drawings, submits applications, responds to plan check corrections, coordinates inspections, and secures final sign-offs. This is included as part of every full-service project we undertake across Los Angeles.
Key Takeaway
Never skip the permit. The cost of pulling permits is small relative to the risk of unpermitted work — and a licensed, experienced contractor should handle the process for you so construction timelines stay on track.
