A business operating from a residence in Torrance requires an approved Home Occupation Permit issued by the Community Development Department before applying for a business license. Building permits are available at the City of Torrance Permit Center, which is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The permit center provides information on active building and safety permits.
Permits are not required for one-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses, provided that the floor area does not exceed one-story. Home remodeling projects may require permits, but permits are generally required for projects that involve changes to the building’s existing footprint.
The city of Torrance grants permits for home remodeling projects, and permits are required for electrical, mechanical, grading, safety inspection, sign, banner, and roofing (residential) improvements. Most kitchen remodels in Torrance require a permit, and out-of-area contractors may try to discourage homeowners from pulling permits.
If your business requires construction or significant renovations, you will need to secure building permits from the Torrance Building and comply with all provisions of CILA, regulations, standards, and codes, including requirements for workers compensation insurance. A person issued a renewal permit must show the Building Official substantial progress in the form of a valid inspection every 180 days. Recycling is required, and the City of Torrance has a permit application fee of $10,000 for construction projects and $10,000 for demolition projects.
📹 Do I need a permit for my renovation?
Many homeowners believe that only new homes or major remodels require building permits. In fact, there are many smaller …
Do you need a permit to replace a toilet in California?
It is imperative to obtain the requisite permits for safety purposes when undertaking DIY projects such as patio cover installation, window replacement, and sink and toilet replacement. In the event that the property in question is located within a historic district, it is recommended that the Planning Bureau be contacted at One may contact the Planning Bureau at 570. 6194 for further information. 6194.
For a detailed account of the requisite procedures and exceptions pertaining to building permits, one is directed to the Long Beach Municipal Code, Section 18. Please refer to the Planning Bureau, telephone number 562. 570. LBCD.
Do you need a permit to replace cabinets in California?
Refacing cabinets is a simple home improvement project that doesn’t require a permit as it only changes the appearance of the cabinet without altering its structure or function. It involves removing doors, drawer fronts, and hardware and replacing them with new ones. Cabinet installation, replacement, and refacing can be done without a permit, provided there are no structural changes or electrical or plumbing work involved.
Countertop replacement is another simple project that doesn’t require a permit and can be done by the homeowner or a professional depending on the scope. Both projects can refresh the look of a kitchen without a significant renovation.
How big of a structure can you build in California without a permit?
In California, a shed with a size of 120 square feet or less typically doesn’t require a permit. Most jurisdictions follow this rule, and if the shed’s area exceeds 120 square feet, a building permit is required. Sequoia Sheds builds both 10×12 and 8×15 storage sheds, and can provide a quote for both sizes. They serve Northern California north of Sacramento and serve several common counties and cities, including Shasta County, Tehama County, Plumas County, Butte County, Glenn County, Redding, and Chico. They can provide a quote request on their quote request page.
What is exempt from a building code permit in California?
It is standard practice for building permits to be required for projects involving changes to walls, pipes, wiring, roofs, or major appliances. Conversely, permits are not typically required for simple surface projects, minor repairs, site improvements, or small structures.
Do you need a permit to replace drywall in California?
The Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) Electronic Permit System permits the replacement of interior drywall and plaster on a non-structural repair basis. The system allows for the use of interior plaster for existing plaster walls and ceilings or Gypsum wallboard for plaster or Gypsum wallboard walls and ceilings. Gypsum plaster or cement plaster must be applied three coats over metal lath or wire fabric lath, and two coats over other bases.
Plaster should not be installed unless it is replacing existing plaster with the same weight. Gypsum wallboard must be at least 1/2″ thick and not installed on exterior surfaces. If replacing Gypsum wallboard on garage walls or ceilings, it must have a Type X fire rating and a minimum thickness of 5/8″.
What home renovations require a permit in California?
This summary covers various types of projects involving plumbing, electrical, mechanical work, structural changes, residential additions, alterations, remodeling, accessory structures, HVAC, water heaters, air conditioners, retaining walls, and residential projects like swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs. For more information on securing a permit and submittal requirements, please visit the Permit Center webpage or the Permit Directory.
Do I need a permit to replace kitchen cabinets in California?
In the state of California, any project involving the replacement, addition, or alteration of kitchen cabinets requires the issuance of a permit. In some cases, homeowners may be required to obtain a permit for the installation of new cabinets or for changes to existing cabinets.
Do I need a permit to remodel my kitchen in Los Angeles?
In Los Angeles, renovating your kitchen without a permit can lead to severe consequences, including fines, penalties, and property demolition. Reputable contractors advise against performing unpermitted work to protect clients’ interests and ensure proper completion. The city requires permits to prevent unsafe hazard creation, such as floods or fires, and to ensure quality and safe construction. If a contractor suggests that you don’t need a permit for a kitchen remodel, it’s important to follow the proper permitting process to avoid long-term issues and ensure the quality of the work. It’s a public service to ensure property owners receive the quality and safe construction they pay for.
Does a roofer need to be licensed in California?
California roofing regulations require a valid C-39 Roofing Contractor license issued by the CSLB, as well as liability insurance and the ability to secure permits. Safety regulations are crucial to protect workers and the public, and compliance with building codes and regulations is essential for quality and safety. A contractor’s license is the gateway to opportunities, expertise, and success, allowing them to take on larger projects and be their own boss. To pursue a roofing license, contact Contractors Intelligence School at 1-800-425-7570 for in-class preparation and live classes throughout California.
What happens if you get caught remodeling without a permit in California?
Failure to obtain a building permit is a violation of Contractors License Law and can expose homeowners to additional liability and costs. Contractors performing improvement work without a local building permit violate Business and Professions (B and P) Code sections 7110 and 7090. Violations can result in civil penalty assessments of up to $5, 000 per violation, an order of correction requiring payment of permit fees and any assessed penalties by the local building department, and suspension or revocation of the license.
Do I need a permit to redo my roof in California?
To replace your entire roof, you need a roofing permit to meet California code standards. A licensed roofing contractor can provide a thorough inspection, honest estimate, and the best workmanship. Bay Valley Contractors offers reliable roofing services, with a vetted team with the necessary licenses, permits, and expertise to ensure a smooth and efficient process. Contact them today for reliable roofing services.
📹 Building Permits | Should I Pull My Own Permits? Q&A
If you are doing a major remodel or a home addition you are going to need a building permit (no doubt about it) But if you haven’t …
As a DIY homeowner I’ve pulled many permits with EASE!!! I’ve done one sheet plans pencil to paper and got them approved for foundations. One contractor gave me a $50,000 estimate to take out old foundation build anew. I did it myself and added a bathroom all for under $5000!!! Not a big deal!!! Thousands of article’s showing DIY how to get things done. Construction is not ROCKET SCIENCE!! Pulling plans is no big deal the City will help you through the process.
My experience has been substantially different. I downloaded a free CAD, made my own drawings, had them printed for few dollars at Kinko’s, and the city has always been extremely helpful. I have to admit my work is flexible, so I can take a couple hours off, go down to the city/do groceries/buy materials and finish work in the evening.
There is nothing scary about visiting Planning and Building. I am an LA area residential designer aka “Draftsman” and a licensed general contractor in the industry for over 30 years. I this article we are past the planning department stage, with the construction set of plans in hand. At this point, I simply hand the “Building Department Clerk” the plans, fill out the permit application and pay the fees. On a very small project such a deck a “Plan Checker” may do an “over the counter review” otherwise into the pile of plans. Two weeks later you get a notification to pick up the plans for corrections or approval. I can count on one hand how many plan corrections I could do over the counter as the designer and zero as a contractor. As for a General Contractor getting your plans through faster, “BS”, expediting “rush plan check” are reserved for very large change order projects and cost from 10-20 thousand dollars. PS if the owner wants to hire there own sub-trades the contractor should not pull the permit.
Hey Alex, I’m a commercial electrician (not licensed where I live, and want to do the electrical work for an AG pool. I already submitted my drawing and cut sheet with the permit application and it was approved. We put my wife’s name under homeowner because she was listed on all the other permits. Now the inspector is saying I can’t do the work. I’ve lived in this house for seven years and am obviously married to my wife who is on the application. I’m not on the deed. Can he really tell me I’m not the homeowner when we split all the bills or is he being unreasonable?
Hey friend, you might know about, I live in FL not in CA, but there might be similarities. I want to install solar panels in my roof. I know I can do that myself (although I am not a licensed electrician, I know the fundamentals, I’m familiar with the building code, plus I can do my own research) and save A LOT, given that companies that do that full install are charging 20K or more… I talked to the Pinellas County over here, and they told me that I need structural and electrical plans. Do you know if I could go to a particular kind of contractor or engineer and ask them for the structural and electrical plans for that solar panel installation, then take it from there myself? What kind of business I should ask these plans for? A general contractor, a construction company, an electrical company? Please advice, I really want to install my panels, but just want to pay for materials and do all the work myself. I believe is too much to pay $20K an pay them off during 15+ years when doing it myself I can pay them off in 3+ years.
I see alot of people on here acting like its no big deal, one fellow claims he did his whole new bath for 5K. lol. Hmmmm, 5k? I highly doubt that and here’s why, lets look at JUST the typical items in a bathroom, Exhaust fan, whisper quiet with Humidity sensor, say 4 can lights, one over vanity light surface mount, one or two outlets and their 12G wiring, the breaker at the panel, The angle stops for the toilet and the sink, the supply lines for those, the faucet, the sink, the countertop, the vanity, the toilet, the tub, the shower/tub valve and the trim kit, the drain kit, The copper for those fixtures, the ABS for those drains, The wall tile, the floor tile, the shower pan tile and all of that grout, the termination pieces or schluter for the tile, a shampoo box, the shower glass or tub over glass, the baseboard, the sheetrock and texture mud, The water proofing behind the tile, The primer and paint, The accessories like TP holder, towel bars, robe hooks, toilet seat, vanity mirror…….Im not sure where THIS person lives but these items add up in a big hurry and thats not INCLUDING any labor to do all the work, AND the likely hood of you having to buy certain tools that you’ll probably use once. Im just not into giving people the false hope.
The sad truth is no ones going to give you the straight answer. Cause it’s not that simple. Depending on the job and the home owner’s construction knowledge. It can be as easy as emailing the building and safety and telling them what your trying to do. Sometimes it’s less stress if you have the money to spend and just let the contractors do it.
Guys you can pull your own permits without headaches. Just go ask all questions and all paperwork and just fill those in. They normally highlight everything for you when you tell them it’s your first time. I just did that and it took one day to get my permits. Don’t listen to this guys. He makes it sound impossible 😂😂😂😂😂 it’s just too funny now that I went through this process. Anyone can do it.
He speaks the truth. A contractor the insists on the homeowner apply for permits is a contractor you don’t want to work with. As a contractor, most of us don’t deliver the permit application package to the city until we are fairly certain we have everything and there’s a reasonably good change the application will be approved the first time. We all hate going the the permits office so we try do do it as little as possible.
Immediate subscriber this was such amazing information! I’m 37 years old but my mother just retired and I’m trying to convince her to build her house. I absolutely love architecture and construction work and admire the profession but there’s so many working parts to this. Thank you for giving us insight!
Alex thanks for the article very imformative, excuseme i have 10 acres of land in lancaster california, ll is emty land, in paved st and electricity post in front of my property please any one know what do I need to do to ask to install electricity on that on this emty land, I dont want to pay a big amount of money, what do I need to say to get electricity on the land?