Insights
Plan check, grading permits, coastal development permits and the local ordinances that decide what can be built on a given lot.
You need a coastal development permit whenever you propose development inside California's coastal zone, which is a mapped boundary rather than a view of the water. Most new construction, additions, grading, demolition and shoreline work qualify. Either the local government or the Coastal Commission issues the permit, depending on the jurisdiction.
Read When do you need a coastal development permit in California?
Plan check is a jurisdiction's line by line review of your drawings against building, structural, energy, zoning and fire requirements before a permit issues. It takes months because each reviewer returns a written correction list, the design team responds, and the corrected set goes to the back of the queue. Most projects run several of those loops.
Read What is plan check, and why does it take so long?
Expect roughly two to eight months to get a building permit in Los Angeles once complete plans are submitted, and considerably longer when a project needs discretionary review. Minor work can clear over the counter in a day. Most custom residential projects go through full plan check and two or three correction cycles before approval.
Read How long does it take to get a building permit in Los Angeles?
