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The Building and Safety Division is responsible for ensuring structural integrity and life-safety compliance in the construction, demolition, and alteration of buildings. This includes, but is not limited to, oversight of electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems, energy conservation requirements, and accessibility for persons with disabilities.
All Plan Check, Building, and Zoning applications must be submitted through the Accela Citizen Portal, whether you are a licensed contractor or a property owner undertaking construction or improvements. The portal enables users to submit applications, upload required documentation, pay fees, track permit status, and receive issued permits and approved documents electronically — conveniently from your office or home.
The following permits may be applied for online:
Required when work involves the installation, alteration, repair, replacement, or relocation of regulated systems governed by the California Building Standards Code
Required for all projects involving the alteration of a structure, in whole or in part, including, but not limited to, removal and replacement of wall or ceiling coverings, relocation of non-bearing partition walls, and property line walls/fences.
Required for new sewer connections, repair or connection of private utilities.
Required when demolition of existing structures is indicated by a condition of approval for the entitlement or by review of the structural engineer.
Required for the installation, modification, or expansion of solar photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal systems.
Required for the installation, modification, extension, or removal of new and existing sprinkler systems.
Permit Eligibility
Building & Safety permits are issued only to a State of California licensed contractor or the property owner. Requirements vary by applicant type to ensure proper authorization and compliance with City and State regulations.
Contractors applying for a permit must supply the following items with every application:
Property owners applying for a permit must supply the following items with every application:
Additional documentation may be required based on ownership type:
Property owners must also complete and upload a signed Owner/Builder Affidavit.
Resources
To schedule an inspection, please visit the Inspections page.
Deadline for Issuance of Permits
Applicants must obtain permits for their project within 180 days from the date of plan check submittal or the project will be considered abandoned. If the applicant wishes to obtain a permit after the 180-day period, payment of new plan check fees will be required and the project will be considered new. The plans are required to go through the plan check process again. In addition, if a new building Code cycle is adopted after the 180-day period, the plans will need to be updated to comply with the new Code.
Permit Expiration
A building permit is valid for 12 months from the date it is issued. If a meaningful* inspection is not conducted for work authorized by the building permit within the 180-day period, the permit will be considered invalid. Every meaningful inspection renews the 180-day time frame from the date of the inspection.
Please note that an extension may be granted by the Building Official upon a written request submitted to the Development Services Department prior to the permit expiration date. The request must be based on a justifiable reason why the extension is needed, and it is subject to review and approval by the Building Official at his/her discretion.
Keep in mind that, once a permit expires, the applicant may be required to start the permit process over again, including payment of all of the applicable fees, so it is wise to avoid permit expiration.
*Meaningful inspection: A significant, required inspection for the purpose of moving the project forward, not merely to keep the permit from expiring.
Fees
Plan Check, Building & Zoning Fees may be found here.
Office Hours
Building Official
Available with an appointment on a first-come-first-serve basis at the Planning & Community Preservation Department Counter:
Service Counter Hours:
Construction Hours:
Contact Us
Planning & Community Preservation Department
232 W. Sierra Madre Blvd.
Sierra Madre, CA 91024
(626) 355-7138
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