How Do I Pull a Building Permit in LA? A Step-by-Step Guide
A plain-English walkthrough of pulling an LADBS permit: figure out your scope, check Express vs Standard, apply on PermitLA, pay, and schedule inspections. Most simple permits take under an hour.
- Everything runs through PermitLA, the LADBS online portal — create a free account to start.
- First, figure out what permit you need and whether it’s Express or Standard — that determines the whole path.
- Express: answer a few questions, pay, download — done in under an hour, no drawings.
- Standard: submit plans for plan check, clear corrections, pay fees, then the permit issues.
- You can pull your own permit as a homeowner (owner-builder), or your licensed contractor can pull it for you.
- After issuance, you schedule inspections through the same portal as the work progresses.
Step 1 — Figure out exactly what you’re permitting
Before you touch the portal, you need to know which permit(s) your project requires — building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, or a combination. A water heater is one plumbing permit; a garage conversion pulls four. If you’re not sure, the Permit360 scope guide tells you exactly which permits your project needs.
Step 2 — Determine Express vs. Standard
This is the fork that decides everything. Express permits need no drawings or review — most single-trade swaps qualify. Standard permits require plan check. Our Express vs Standard guide breaks down which is which, and the permit timeline guide covers how long each takes.
Step 3 — Create your PermitLA account
Go to permitla.lacitydbs.org and create a free LADBS account. This is the City’s online front door for applications, fees, and inspections.
Not sure which permits your project needs before you start?
Run it through the Permit360 scope guide first — you’ll walk into PermitLA already knowing the exact permits, forms, and fees to expect.
Step 4 — Apply
If it’s an Express Permit
- Choose Express Permits in PermitLA
- Select the work type (plumbing, mechanical, electrical, roofing, etc.)
- Answer a few short questions about the scope
- Pay the fee online and download the permit — keep it onsite during the work
If it’s a Standard (plan-check) permit
- Start a plan-check application and upload your plans
- LADBS reviews and returns corrections — revise and resubmit until it clears (this is the part that takes time)
- Once approved, pay the permit fees
- The permit is issued and you can begin work
Step 5 — Schedule inspections as you build
The permit isn’t the finish line — the work has to be inspected. Through PermitLA you request inspections at each required stage: often a rough inspection partway through (before walls or trenches are closed up) and a final inspection at completion. Inspections are usually scheduled within a few business days.
Step 6 — Final sign-off
Once the final inspection passes, the permit is closed out and the work is officially on the record. For larger projects like an ADU, that may include a Certificate of Occupancy. A closed permit is exactly what protects you later — it’s the proof at resale that the work was done legally.
Owner-builder vs. contractor
You can pull your own permit as an owner-builder and do qualifying work yourself — California allows it. The trade-off is that you take on the code-compliance and liability a licensed contractor would normally carry. For most projects, a licensed contractor pulls the permit as part of the job. Either way, if a contractor refuses to pull a permit, treat it as a red flag — see what happens if you remodel without a permit in LA.
What it costs
Fees range from roughly $80–$120 for a simple Express permit to several hundred dollars or more for a plan-check project. Use the Permit360 fee calculator for an itemized estimate, and see how much an LADBS building permit costs in 2026 for the full breakdown. After the work is done, you may also want to confirm it’s on the record — see how to look up permit history on a house in LA.
Frequently asked questions
Can I pull my own permit as a homeowner?
Yes. California allows homeowners to pull their own permits as an owner-builder. You take on the code-compliance and liability that a licensed contractor would normally carry, but for straightforward Express work, many homeowners pull their own permit without issue.
Where do I actually apply for a permit in LA?
Through PermitLA, the LADBS online portal at permitla.lacitydbs.org. You create a free account, and from there you can apply for Express Permits, start a plan-check application, pay fees, and schedule inspections.
Do I need drawings or plans?
For an Express Permit, no — you answer a few questions and pay. For a Standard permit (additions, structural work, ADUs), yes — you submit plans for plan check, and they have to be complete and code-compliant to clear review.
How much does it cost to pull a permit?
It varies by project, from roughly $80–$120 for a simple Express permit to several hundred dollars or more for a plan-check project. The Permit360 calculator gives an itemized estimate tied to your specific scope.
How do I schedule inspections after I get the permit?
Through the same PermitLA portal. You request inspections at each required stage as the work progresses — often a rough inspection partway through and a final inspection at completion — and they’re usually scheduled within a few business days.
Do I have to use a licensed contractor?
Not always. You can pull a permit as an owner-builder and do qualifying work yourself. But for most jobs, a licensed contractor pulls the permit as part of the project, and lenders or insurers may require licensed work in some cases.