Development Services
Building and Safety
SPECIAL NOTICES:
The Development Permit Center is open to the public for in-person services by appointment for all building and permitting needs. Please click below to learn about the different types of services and project permits and to schedule an appointment.
For zoning questions regarding SB 9, the new State law on single-family lot zoning, visit the SB 9 webpage or contact the Planning Bureau at 562.570.6194.
For building code questions on second principal dwelling units under SB 9, contact the Building and Safety Bureau at 562.570.PMIT (7648).
For general information on building accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and junior ADUs, please visit the ADU webpage.
There is a new permitting process for the installation of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (EVCS) at homes and businesses. For information and to download an application, visit the EVCS webpage.
Services and Resources
Our team of building and safety experts work to ensure the safety of our residents and businesses by making sure that buildings are in compliance with all state and local building codes. We offer a variety of services and resources, as shown below, including permitting, plan review and inspection:
Permit Center
Plan Review Service
Inspections
Express Permits (In-Person/Online)
Permit/Plan Status
Forms & Applications
ADDITIONAL TOPICS
HOW DO I?
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.
Development Services Fee Schedule.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
Learn more about emergency preparedness.
PROCESSING TIMES FOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
Processing times for plan submittal intake up through inspection request for construction projects will vary depending on the project type, size, and complexity. On average, the overall processing times may take 2 to 4 months for most construction projects that are submitted by email. For faster processing time, certain minor construction projects that meet the requirement of Information Bulletin IB-002 Over-the-Counter Plan Check Service can be processed and reviewed in person at our public counter on the same day of the appointment. The flowchart below will help you estimate the timeline for construction projects by adding up the processing times for each step of the process.
How Are We Doing
2021 Building & Safety Bureau Quarterly Report
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Working hard to ensure that buildings are safe, sustainable and structurally sound — Bureau staff responded to 10,614 phone calls for plan checks and completed reviews of 1,251 projects. A total of 2,507 permits were issued and 10,799 residential & commercial inspections were conducted. |
