A building permit is required whenever you are constructing, moving, altering, converting, improving, repairing or demolishing a structure in any area of the City. It applies to work on the interior as well as exterior of the structure. Work covered by the building permit must have City inspections before the project can be considered complete. 

To get your permit, you must hire a contractor licensed in the City of Laguna Beach or provide proof of ownership to take on the liability yourself, submit the required paperwork, and pay a fee.

The cover sheet for your drawings should include:

1. Address of the work to be completed.

2. Name of the property owner.

3. Name of the person who prepared the plans.

4. Scope of work description.

5. Remodel square footage.

Building Permit Fees are based on the valuation (market value of labor and materials) of the work to be completed. Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing permits are based on separate itemized fees. Building Permit Fees must be paid at first plan check submittal and permit issuance.

Construction Work Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. weekdays only. No construction allowed on weekends or federal holidays.

Grading Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Hauling Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Inspection requests must be received before 4:00 p.m. to receive an inspection the following business day. Inspections will not be scheduled on alternating Fridays that City Hall is closed. There are no same day inspections.

To request inspections, please email lbinspectors@lagunabeachcity.net and provide:

1. Project address
2. Permit Number(s): list each permit number & type of inspection separately
3. Type of inspection(s)
4. Request date
5. Building Inspector Name
6. Requestor's name and mobile number
7. Optional: AM or PM

If you have more than one active permit, please request all appropriate inspection types under each separate permit number (please do not request all inspections on just one permit number).

The number and types of inspections you will need depends on the scope of your project.

To confirm your inspection date and time, please check Today's Daily Inspections or call the Building Division at (949) 497-0715 on the morning of the inspection after 8:30 a.m. Please note you will not receive an inspection confirmation phone call. 

NOTICE: permits will expire if inspections are not scheduled and "passed" every 180 days. All permits require a FINAL "passed" inspection to complete the permit.

FINAL INSPECTIONS: For new structures, major remodels/additions a Project List of Subcontractors is required 30 days prior to Final Inspection sign offs.
Project Subcontractor List 

Building Permit Records are available on the City's online permitting portal. You can research your permit, plan, inspection and project status by clicking "Search Public Records" at the top of the page.