The Development Permit Center is accepting email applications for those seeking simple Express Permits and other permits for construction that do not need a plan check review. Examples of simple Express projects are water heater replacements, electrical service or heating upgrades, window replacements, re-roof, etc. View the Development Permit Application

The front page of the permit application has information about the application process and instructions on how to fill it out, including details about our email submittal system, the number of required pages and specifics about when to use the following special forms/materials:

• California License Contractor’s Declaration and Owner-Builder’s Declaration (Pages 9-10)
• Owner/Builder/Contractor Permit Proxy Form (Used by owner or agency/representative in the absence of the Owner/Builder/Contractor. Pages 11-12)
• Plot Plan

A completed application, which should indicate Express Permit in the subject line, along with any required documents when requested by staff, can be emailed in PDF format (less than 75 MB) to DV-BuildingSafety@longbeach.gov.

For help on submitting your application or information about an application that was previously submitted, please contact our Permit Center staff at 562-570-PMIT (7648) or email DV-BuildingSafety@longbeach.gov.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR CONTRACTORS:

Contractors who are registered on the City’s Online Permitting System can continue with project submittals as before. To obtain information or questions about building permit records or status, please also visit the permit status page.

The Development Permit Center is accepting email applications and construction documents for construction projects that need a plan check.

A completed permit application, along with the construction documents, must be converted into PDF (less than 75MB) and emailed to DV-BuildingSafety@longbeach.gov to begin the plan intake process (herein referred to as EOTC).

View the Development Permit Application

For the relevant details and instructions on how to prepare your construction documents and the pertinent information that is required, please go to Plan Review Services.

For the relevant details and instructions on how to submit projects through the EOTC process, please go to Project Plan Submittal and Review Service.

Applicants who receive email/phone notices regarding their plans have the option to schedule an appointment to pick them up in person in front of the main lobby area of City Hall.

City staff will be available to coordinate the pickups and will be adhering to social distancing guidelines. Masks are required.

Plans from other Departments will not get bundled together for pickup unless requested by the applicant.

LOCATION: Long Beach Civic Center Plaza, 411 W. Ocean Blvd. 

PICKUP STATION DAYS/TIMES: Appointments must be scheduled 24 hours in advance.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 562.570.7648 (PMIT) during business hours.

Our goal is to have staff review them within 24 hours, but in some cases, it may take several days. The following is our anticipated general schedule to notify applicants and process their various types of service requests:

• Project Submittal Intake: 2 to 4 weeks
• Project Status Check and Other General Inquiries: 1 to 2 weeks
• Project Fee Collection: 3 to 5 business days
• Building Plan Check (depending on complexity, volume submitted, and type of project): 8 to 11 weeks
• Fire Plan Check (depending on complexity, volume submitted, and type of project): 5 to 7 weeks
• Planning Plan Check (depending on complexity, volume submitted, and type of project): 2 to 5 weeks
• Electric Plan Check: 5 to 7 weeks
• Plumbing Plan Check: 2 to 4 weeks
• Mechanical Plan Check: 3 to 5 weeks
• Permit Issuance: 2 to 5 weeks
• Building/Subtrade Inspection Request: 1 to 2 business days

We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience.

To check the status of your building permit, you may search the City’s Permit Status or contact the Development Permit Center at (562) 570-5237.

The Building and Safety Bureau works to safeguard public health, safety, and property through the plan check, permit, and inspection processes. To find out if a permit is needed for your building, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical project, go to the Do I need a permit? page or contact us at (562) 570 (5237). 

A permit is not required for any type of fence under four feet in height above grade pursuant to Section 18.04.020 of the Long Beach Municipal Code. Please note that even though a permit may not be required, all fences must comply with the requirements of the Long Beach zoning regulation. 

More information on constructing or installing fences and walls.

Building permit fees are calculated based on the valuation of a project. For information on how permit fees are accessed, refer to Section 18.06.010 of the Long Beach Municipal Code.
Development Services Fee Schedule.

A grading permit shall be obtained from the City’s Building Official for any grading work, except as specified in the following cases:

• Grading in an isolated, self-contained area, provided there is no danger to the public, and that such grading will not adversely affect adjoining properties.
• An excavation below finished grade for basements and footings of a building, retaining wall, or other structure authorized by a valid building permit.
• Cemetery graves.
• Refuse disposal sites controlled by other regulations.
• Excavation for wells or tunnels or utilities which do not provide vertical or lateral support for buildings, or adversely impact the safety or stability of private or public properties.
• Mining, quarrying, excavating, processing or stockpiling rock, sand, gravel, aggregate or clay controlled by other regulations, provided such operations do not affect the lateral support of, or significantly increase stresses in, soil on adjoining properties.
• Exploratory excavations performed under the direction of a registered design professional.
• An excavation which is less than two feet in depth, or does not create a cut slope greater than five feet in height and steeper than a 50% slope. This exception shall not apply to cut which exceeds 50 cubic yards or which changes the existing drainage pattern.
• A fill less than one foot in depth and placed on natural terrain with a slope flatter than 10%. This exception shall not apply when the fill exceeds 50 cubic yards or when the fill changes the existing drainage pattern.
• Excavation for caissons or piles under buildings or structures, swimming pools, or underground structures that are authorized by valid building permits.

A permit is valid for two years from the date issued, provided that any permit shall expire after 180 days from the the date of issuance if the work has not commenced, or when the City’s Building Official determines the work authorized by any permit has been suspended, discontinued or abandoned for a continuous period of 180 days.

Plan check applications expire 12 months after the plan check fees are paid, pursuant to Section 18.05.060 of the Long Beach Municipal Code.

A Plan Check Extension Form, can be filed to extend a permit application within 30 days of its expiration. Applicants must provide sufficient evidence that circumstances beyond their control prevented action to secure the permit within the allotted time and submit a filing fee of $241.55 in person at the Development Permit Center.

Financial hardship, contracting issues with design professionals or contractors, or seasonal weather conditions are typically not adequate reasons for the granting of an extension. 

To request copies of building permits for your property, you may search the City’s Building Permit Records, or contact the Development Permit Center at (562) 570-5237.

In a post-disaster situation, Building and Safety's Disaster Assessment staff is responsible for evaluating buildings and businesses for safety, serviceability, and occupancy.

Learn more about emergency preparedness.