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.
061Who reviews a seismic retrofit 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.
062Which approvals apply to a seismic retrofit 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.
063Who reviews a hillside 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.
064Which approvals apply to a hillside 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.
065Who reviews a ADU in Pasadena?+
Pasadena Permit Center is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
066Which approvals apply to a ADU in Pasadena?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
067Who reviews a garage conversion in Pasadena?+
Pasadena Permit Center is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
068Which approvals apply to a garage conversion in Pasadena?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
069Who reviews a JADU in Pasadena?+
Pasadena Permit Center is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
070Which approvals apply to a JADU in Pasadena?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
071Who reviews a home addition in Pasadena?+
Pasadena Permit Center is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
072Which approvals apply to a home addition in Pasadena?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
073Who reviews a kitchen remodel in Pasadena?+
Pasadena Permit Center is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
074Which approvals apply to a kitchen remodel in Pasadena?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
075Who reviews a bathroom remodel in Pasadena?+
Pasadena Permit Center is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
076Which approvals apply to a bathroom remodel in Pasadena?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
077Who reviews a whole-home remodel in Pasadena?+
Pasadena Permit Center is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
078Which approvals apply to a whole-home remodel in Pasadena?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
079Who reviews a roofing project in Pasadena?+
Pasadena Permit Center is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
080Which approvals apply to a roofing project in Pasadena?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
081Who reviews a siding project in Pasadena?+
Pasadena Permit Center is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
082Which approvals apply to a siding project in Pasadena?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
083Who reviews a deck project in Pasadena?+
Pasadena Permit Center is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
084Which approvals apply to a deck project in Pasadena?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
085Who reviews a concrete project in Pasadena?+
Pasadena Permit Center is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
086Which approvals apply to a concrete project in Pasadena?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
087Who reviews a window and door project in Pasadena?+
Pasadena Permit Center is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
088Which approvals apply to a window and door project in Pasadena?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
089Who reviews a foundation work in Pasadena?+
Pasadena Permit Center is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
090Which approvals apply to a foundation work in Pasadena?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
091Who reviews a framing scope in Pasadena?+
Pasadena Permit Center is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
092Which approvals apply to a framing scope in Pasadena?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
093Who reviews a seismic retrofit in Pasadena?+
Pasadena Permit Center is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
094Which approvals apply to a seismic retrofit in Pasadena?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
095Who reviews a hillside project in Pasadena?+
Pasadena Permit Center is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
096Which approvals apply to a hillside project in Pasadena?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
097Who reviews a ADU in Long Beach?+
Long Beach Development Services is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
098Which approvals apply to a ADU in Long Beach?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
099Who reviews a garage conversion in Long Beach?+
Long Beach Development Services is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
100Which approvals apply to a garage conversion in Long Beach?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
101Who reviews a JADU in Long Beach?+
Long Beach Development Services is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
102Which approvals apply to a JADU in Long Beach?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
103Who reviews a home addition in Long Beach?+
Long Beach Development Services is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
104Which approvals apply to a home addition in Long Beach?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
105Who reviews a kitchen remodel in Long Beach?+
Long Beach Development Services is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
106Which approvals apply to a kitchen remodel in Long Beach?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
107Who reviews a bathroom remodel in Long Beach?+
Long Beach Development Services is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
108Which approvals apply to a bathroom remodel in Long Beach?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
109Who reviews a whole-home remodel in Long Beach?+
Long Beach Development Services is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
110Which approvals apply to a whole-home remodel in Long Beach?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
111Who reviews a roofing project in Long Beach?+
Long Beach Development Services is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
112Which approvals apply to a roofing project in Long Beach?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
113Who reviews a siding project in Long Beach?+
Long Beach Development Services is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
114Which approvals apply to a siding project in Long Beach?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
115Who reviews a deck project in Long Beach?+
Long Beach Development Services is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
116Which approvals apply to a deck project in Long Beach?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
117Who reviews a concrete project in Long Beach?+
Long Beach Development Services is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
118Which approvals apply to a concrete project in Long Beach?+
The applicable pathway depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction. Requirements should be confirmed against current official sources before design commitments are made.
119Who reviews a window and door project in Long Beach?+
Long Beach Development Services is listed as the primary permit authority. Planning, utilities, fire or other agencies may also be involved depending on the address and scope.
120Which approvals apply to a window and door project in Long Beach?+
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.
