Approval questions · 448 answers · 2688 total in the reference desk
Permits & Code
How property-specific requirements and agency review affect the approval path.
What a permit clock does and does not cover
State baseline reviewed September 26, 2026. Local procedures, exceptions and parcel conditions still apply.
The statutory review clock
After an ADU application is submitted, the local agency must say in writing within 15 business days whether it is complete, and generally approve or deny a complete application within 60 days (Gov. Code § 66317). The clock measures agency review of a complete application — not design, corrections, utility work or construction.
If the agency finds the application incomplete or issues corrections, the time the applicant's team spends revising drawings and resubmitting is outside the agency's clock. Complete, coordinated drawings are the part of the schedule the owner's team controls most.
Water, sewer, electric and gas connections are reviewed and scheduled by the utility or agency that owns each system, sometimes on separate applications. Their timing is not set by the ADU review clock; ask each provider what it needs and when.
Once a permit is issued, duration depends on scope, site conditions, material lead times, inspections and any correction notices in the field. No general duration applies to every property; a schedule should be built from the actual scope.
The city that governs the parcel. In Los Angeles County that can be one of 88 cities or unincorporated county land. Check the parcel against official city boundaries before assembling documents.
Permit history, a zoning report, a boundary or topographic survey where the site requires one, and utility information. The project passport lists each unknown with the source that answers it and why it matters.
No. Declared valuation is an administrative figure used for fees. The Beverly Hills monthly report, for example, lists valuation for each permit, but it does not show what the work cost to build.
City of Beverly Hills Community Development is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
002Which approvals apply to a ADU in Beverly Hills?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
003Who reviews a garage conversion in Beverly Hills?+
City of Beverly Hills Community Development is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
004Which approvals apply to a garage conversion in Beverly Hills?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
005Who reviews a JADU in Beverly Hills?+
City of Beverly Hills Community Development is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
006Which approvals apply to a JADU in Beverly Hills?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
007Who reviews a home addition in Beverly Hills?+
City of Beverly Hills Community Development is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
008Which approvals apply to a home addition in Beverly Hills?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
009Who reviews a kitchen remodel in Beverly Hills?+
City of Beverly Hills Community Development is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
010Which approvals apply to a kitchen remodel in Beverly Hills?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
011Who reviews a bathroom remodel in Beverly Hills?+
City of Beverly Hills Community Development is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
012Which approvals apply to a bathroom remodel in Beverly Hills?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
013Who reviews a whole-home remodel in Beverly Hills?+
City of Beverly Hills Community Development is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
014Which approvals apply to a whole-home remodel in Beverly Hills?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
015Who reviews a roofing project in Beverly Hills?+
City of Beverly Hills Community Development is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
016Which approvals apply to a roofing project in Beverly Hills?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
017Who reviews a siding project in Beverly Hills?+
City of Beverly Hills Community Development is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
018Which approvals apply to a siding project in Beverly Hills?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
019Who reviews a deck project in Beverly Hills?+
City of Beverly Hills Community Development is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
020Which approvals apply to a deck project in Beverly Hills?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
021Who reviews a concrete project in Beverly Hills?+
City of Beverly Hills Community Development is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
022Which approvals apply to a concrete project in Beverly Hills?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
023Who reviews a window and door project in Beverly Hills?+
City of Beverly Hills Community Development is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
024Which approvals apply to a window and door project in Beverly Hills?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
025Who reviews a foundation work in Beverly Hills?+
City of Beverly Hills Community Development is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
026Which approvals apply to a foundation work in Beverly Hills?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
027Who reviews a framing scope in Beverly Hills?+
City of Beverly Hills Community Development is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
028Which approvals apply to a framing scope in Beverly Hills?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
029Who reviews a seismic retrofit in Beverly Hills?+
City of Beverly Hills Community Development is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
030Which approvals apply to a seismic retrofit in Beverly Hills?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
031Who reviews a hillside project in Beverly Hills?+
City of Beverly Hills Community Development is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
032Which approvals apply to a hillside project in Beverly Hills?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
033Who reviews a ADU in Santa Monica?+
Santa Monica Planning & Building is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
034Which approvals apply to a ADU in Santa Monica?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
035Who reviews a garage conversion in Santa Monica?+
Santa Monica Planning & Building is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
036Which approvals apply to a garage conversion in Santa Monica?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
037Who reviews a JADU in Santa Monica?+
Santa Monica Planning & Building is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
038Which approvals apply to a JADU in Santa Monica?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
039Who reviews a home addition in Santa Monica?+
Santa Monica Planning & Building is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
040Which approvals apply to a home addition in Santa Monica?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
041Who reviews a kitchen remodel in Santa Monica?+
Santa Monica Planning & Building is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
042Which approvals apply to a kitchen remodel in Santa Monica?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
043Who reviews a bathroom remodel in Santa Monica?+
Santa Monica Planning & Building is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
044Which approvals apply to a bathroom remodel in Santa Monica?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
045Who reviews a whole-home remodel in Santa Monica?+
Santa Monica Planning & Building is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
046Which approvals apply to a whole-home remodel in Santa Monica?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
047Who reviews a roofing project in Santa Monica?+
Santa Monica Planning & Building is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
048Which approvals apply to a roofing project in Santa Monica?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
049Who reviews a siding project in Santa Monica?+
Santa Monica Planning & Building is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
050Which approvals apply to a siding project in Santa Monica?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
051Who reviews a deck project in Santa Monica?+
Santa Monica Planning & Building is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
052Which approvals apply to a deck project in Santa Monica?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
053Who reviews a concrete project in Santa Monica?+
Santa Monica Planning & Building is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
054Which approvals apply to a concrete project in Santa Monica?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
055Who reviews a window and door project in Santa Monica?+
Santa Monica Planning & Building is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
056Which approvals apply to a window and door project in Santa Monica?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
057Who reviews a foundation work in Santa Monica?+
Santa Monica Planning & Building is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
058Which approvals apply to a foundation work in Santa Monica?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
059Who reviews a framing scope in Santa Monica?+
Santa Monica Planning & Building is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
060Which approvals apply to a framing scope in Santa Monica?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
City permits guides — the deep dive
Every FAQ above is anchored in real jurisdiction data. For full line-item breakdowns, plan-check timelines, and city-specific schedules, open the permits guide for the city you're building in.
