Building Permits Process
Information for Property Owners
Permits are one mechanism the City employs to regulates construction. Permits are designed to ensure that all construction in the City is safe and habitable. The City has adopted several codes, among them the California Building, Mechanical and Plumbing, and Electrical codes for this reason. Also, there are federal, state and local laws that govern construction, such as that covering energy conservation.
Permit Process
There are several different types of permits, based on the type of construction: structural, plumbing, mechanical, electrical and combination (used for single-family home construction and other small projects). Most home owner projects require a combination permit. In addition, the complete demolition and relocation of buildings also requires permits.
Permit Process Obtaining a permit may be just the first step in a multi-step process. Initially, a property owner may need to create plans to submit to the Department, make a plot plan for the intended property showing the improvements, and show the type of construction to be used.
Once plans are approved by the plan check engineer, a property owner will pay for a permit and be required to build the project according to those plans. If any changes are made to the plans, they must be made with the City's approval.
For plumbing, mechanical and electrical work, replacement or repair of fixtures (such as changing water faucets or replacing switches) does not normally require a permit. Replacing a water heater or adding a permanently wired light fixture does, however, require a permit. To find out if you need a permit, please call (323) 588-6211, extension 2611.
Site Plan Reviews (SPR) and Building Plan Check Reviews
Any construction project, commercial or residential requires approval through a Site Plan Review (SPR) for Zoning Code compliance. Depending on the size and scope of the project, the project may require review by the City’s Planning Commission, however please check with a Planner to be sure. The SPR application may be submitted to the planning division Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Review and Approval periods vary from project to project.
You will need to submit 2 sets of plans to the Building & Safety Division for structural review once Planning approval has been obtained. You will be required to submit a total of two (2) full sets of plans and calculations and pay all applicable fees. Within fifteen (15) business days, a staff member will get back to you with either corrections or approval of your plans. If your plans should have any corrections, you will be required to pick up the plans and address all necessary corrections and re-submit the plans with two (2) new sets of plans and/or calculations. Any re-submittals will take within ten (10) business days for a turn around. You may have numerous reviews before the plans are approved depending on how well the plans are drawn and if the corrections have been fully addressed.
Multi-family structures and larger commercial building may take longer than fifteen (15) business days to review. Please contact the Building & Safety Division to obtain further information.
All other reviews (i.e. additions, pools, decks…) will take approximately fourteen (14) business days to be reviewed. If you should have any corrections, the applicant will be required to pick up the plans and address all necessary corrections and re-submit the plans given to him/her along with two (2) new sets of plans and/or calculations. Any re-submittals will take within ten (10) business days for a turn around. You may have numerous reviews before the plans are approved depending on how well the plans are drawn and if the corrections have been fully addressed.
If required, any grading plans, soils reports, drainage and erosion control plans are required to be submitted separately to the Engineering Division for review and approval along with all applicable fees to be paid.
If required, any landscaping plans will need to be submitted separately to the Planning Division for review and approval along with all applicable fees to be paid.
If your plans have been approved by the Planning Commission, please refer to your resolution for all conditions of approval. Some conditions will need to be addressed prior to building permit issuance. If these conditions are not addressed, it may hold up the issuance of your building permit. Again, please check you resolution for all required conditions of approval.
Keep in mind that your plan review will EXPIRE 180 days following the Building & Safety submittal of application if no permit has been obtain within that time. You may request an extension of time in writing prior to the plan review expiration for an additional 180 days. Once expired, you will be required to pay a new plan review fee and possibly re-submit new plans.
Other Approvals and Permits
Other agencies may need to review and approve the plans to your project which will require you to submit separately to them. The City of Bell will inform you of these reviews, approvals and/or fees at the time plans are submitted.