What decision does this guide help you make?
Use this guide to turn a vague line such as “permits included” into a responsibility schedule. Fees, plan review, field inspections, professional observation and final program records are related but separate tasks.
Use the 2026 cost guide with the decisions described on this page.
What is the practical sequence?
| Stage | Owner’s question | Useful output |
|---|---|---|
| Submit | Who files plans and pays each fee? | Accepted application |
| Review | Who answers structural and cross-discipline comments? | Approved plan set |
| Inspect | Who schedules, attends and records each visit? | Signed inspection sequence |
| Close | Who obtains final and program compliance records? | Complete owner file |
LADBS publishes a soft-story-specific permitting and inspection bulletin. Other municipalities use their own portals and correction processes. The approved plan set should control field pricing and work. If the plan changes, document who obtains approval and how price and time change.
Which records should be in one review file?
- application, permit number and fee receipts;
- approved drawings, calculations and revision history;
- plan-check comments and written responses;
- contractor and engineer contact sheet;
- inspection card or online inspection status;
- special inspection, testing and structural observation reports;
- correction notices, approved field changes and final sign-off;
- certificate of compliance or equivalent municipal record.
Where can a proposal become misleading?
“Permit allowance” may cover only the city fee, not the time to prepare plans, answer corrections or coordinate inspections. A passed field inspection may not be the same as final program compliance. Make the final document a named contract deliverable.
What should the written proposal state?
- permit applicant and plan preparer;
- fee inclusions and exclusions;
- plan-check response owner and included rounds;
- inspection scheduling and site attendance;
- required tests, special inspection and structural observation;
- correction and reinspection rules;
- as-built or record-document requirements;
- final municipal record and owner handoff.
How do local rules change the answer?
City of Los Angeles has a dedicated program status and inspection path. Burbank uses ProjectDox. Pasadena’s online permit center accepts seismic-retrofit submissions. Culver City Building Safety handles its municipal program. A single “LA permit process” description is not enough.
What can you do before the first site meeting?
Create one row for every approval task. Put a person or company beside it. Add the required predecessor and the proof of completion. Attach that schedule to the proposal before signing.
Frequently asked questions
Does a building permit prove soft-story compliance?
Not by itself. Confirm the jurisdiction’s final inspection and program closeout requirements.
Who should answer plan-check comments?
The responsible design professional usually addresses technical design comments, but the proposal should state the exact responsibility and coordination path.
Can a contractor pull the permit?
Rules depend on the jurisdiction, license and project arrangement. Verify the entity and classification with CSLB and confirm the city’s current requirements.