Skip to main content
PermitBase

Building Permit in Long Beach, California

Long Beach requires permits broadly and says so plainly: 'most construction activities, including alterations, replacements, and repair work in dwellings require permits and inspections.'

Verified 2026-09-11 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Permits issue at the Development Permit Center to 'A licensed contractor who has a valid California State Contractor's License and an active Long Beach Business License .' or to 'A Homeowner of a one- or two-family dwelling and related accessory building or structure in accordance with Information Bulletin BU-029 / Eligibility to Obtain a Construction Permit .' Contractor
  • A Combination Permit is available where the work spans trades - it 'is required to construct, install, or modify all building, electrical, plumbing, and/or mechanical structure/systems.'
  • Some work is exempt at the Building Official's discretion: 'Minor installations, repairs, or replacements may be exempt from obtaining building permits, as determined by the Building Official.'
  • Named exemptions include detached sheds and playhouses that 'should not exceed 120 square feet and 8 feet in height from floor to roof; and should not include any plumbing, electrical, or mechanical installations.', fences 'up to 6 feet and six 6 inches in height', retaining walls or planter boxes 'up to 4 feet in height, not supporting a surcharge or sloping earth', and decks 'up to 30 inches above adjacent ground level'.
  • Location can add requirements: 'Additional requirements may apply in historic districts and coastal zones, in accordance with the City's Zoning Regulations.'

Required documents

Check off what you have — your progress is saved on this device.

Not ready yet — 0 of 1 required documents checked.

This checker covers one permit. A full project usually triggers several — our checklist will assemble all of them, free →

Fee schedule

Building Permit feesLong Beach links Fee Schedules from the Building Permits page rather than printing amounts inline; no figure is asserted here because none was read.
Per the City's published fee schedules

Review timeline

Plan review
Not published — contact the department

How long did your Building Permit permit actually take in Long Beach?

Anonymous — one question, no email. Answers are combined and only shown once at least 5 people have reported.

Inspection process

  1. 1

    Inspection

    Through the Building and Safety Bureau after permit issuance.

Tips

  • PERMITS DIE ON A 90-DAY CLOCK, NOT THE 180 DAYS SOME CALIFORNIA CITIES USE: 'Permits become null and void if work authorized is not commenced within 90 days of the issuance or if such work is suspended or abandoned at any time after the work is commenced for a period of 90 days .'
  • WORKERS' COMPENSATION IS CONDITIONAL ON HAVING EMPLOYEES: 'If a contractor has employees, proof of Workers' Compensation Insurance must be shown at the time of permit issuance. Contractors working alone may waive this requirement, but must show a pocket copy of their State Contractor's License.' Contractor
  • THE SHED EXEMPTION HAS THREE CONDITIONS AT ONCE - under 120 square feet, under 8 feet, and no plumbing, electrical or mechanical installations. Adding a socket takes it out of the exemption.
  • HISTORIC DISTRICTS AND COASTAL ZONES ADD REQUIREMENTS. The City directs historic-district projects to contact the Planning Bureau before beginning.

Frequently asked questions

Long Beach requires a building permit for: Permits issue at the Development Permit Center to 'A licensed contractor who has a valid California State Contractor's License and an active Long Beach Business License .' or to 'A Homeowner of a one- or two-family dwelling and related accessory building or structure in accordance with Information Bulletin BU-029 / Eligibility to Obtain a Construction Permit .'; A Combination Permit is available where the work spans trades - it 'is required to construct, install, or modify all building, electrical, plumbing, and/or mechanical structure/systems.'; Some work is exempt at the Building Official's discretion: 'Minor installations, repairs, or replacements may be exempt from obtaining building permits, as determined by the Building Official.'; Named exemptions include detached sheds and playhouses that 'should not exceed 120 square feet and 8 feet in height from floor to roof; and should not include any plumbing, electrical, or mechanical installations.', fences 'up to 6 feet and six 6 inches in height', retaining walls or planter boxes 'up to 4 feet in height, not supporting a surcharge or sloping earth', and decks 'up to 30 inches above adjacent ground level'.; Location can add requirements: 'Additional requirements may apply in historic districts and coastal zones, in accordance with the City's Zoning Regulations.'. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Long Beach - Community Development Department, Building and Safety Bureau at 562.570.PMIT (7648) before starting work.

In Long Beach, the published Building Permit fees is: Per the City's published fee schedules. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

Long Beach does not publish a plan-review timeline for this permit. Contact City of Long Beach - Community Development Department, Building and Safety Bureau at 562.570.PMIT (7648) for current turnaround.

You'll need: APP-001 Development Permit Application. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Long Beach requires 1 inspection(s) for a building permit, in order: Inspection. Schedule each through City of Long Beach - Community Development Department, Building and Safety Bureau (562.570.PMIT (7648)).

Apply through City of Long Beach - Community Development Department, Building and Safety Bureau at 411 W. Ocean Blvd., 2nd Floor, Long Beach, CA 90802 - the Permit Center is at City Hall on the 2nd floor. NOTE: a page footer gives 411 West Ocean Blvd., 3rd Floor for Community Development generally; the 2nd floor is what both the Building & Safety contact block and the OTC page give for the Permit Center itself.. Phone: 562.570.PMIT (7648). Office hours: Building & Safety: M 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM, T 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM, W 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM, TH 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM, F 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM. OTC plan review appointments are Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Wednesday 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., excluding holidays.. Official information: https://www.longbeach.gov/lbcd/building/.

Long Beach, California has adopted: California Building Standards Code as adopted locally, administered through Long Beach Municipal Code Section 18.04 - the City points readers there 'For additional information regarding building permit requirements and exceptions'. NO EDITION YEAR IS ASSERTED: this record does not state the adopting ordinance's edition.. Local amendments apply — see the Long Beach overview page for the full list.

A short, specific list - small detached sheds under 120 square feet and 8 feet with no utilities, fences to 6 feet 6 inches, retaining walls to 4 feet, decks under 30 inches, roof paint, and roofing up to 100 square feet on an existing roof. Everything else generally needs one.

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-09-11.

Department & other records

Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the Long Beach building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

Long Beach's permit history isn't searchable here yet

This page covers what the permit requires. What we don't have for Long Beach yet is the record of permits actually issued — the history you'd search by street address. That is a gap in our coverage, not a statement about any particular property.

Your email, and the place — never an address. We only use it to tell you when Long Beach lands. Privacy.

Other permits in Long Beach

Electrical PermitPlumbing PermitMechanical PermitAccessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit

Building Permit in other cities

Fresno, CaliforniaOakland, CaliforniaSacramento, CaliforniaSan Diego, CaliforniaSan Jose, CaliforniaAkron, ColoradoAlamogordo, New MexicoAlamosa, Colorado

Compare building permit fees across California →

Look up this fee in a different city →

Embed this data card →

Related guides

California Permits

Now live

Build your Long Beach project checklist

Describe your project once and get every permit, document, and fee it triggers in Long Beach — in one checklist. Free, for any city and any number of projects.

Get started →