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Q: Remodeling or adding improvements to your
home?
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A:
Homeowners
thinking about remodeling their home or adding other improvements, such as
decks, spas or retaining walls, many times have a number of questions about the
building permits.
This
information is designed to give homeowners basic knowledge of when construction
permits and other approvals are required by the City of Calabasas. It also
answers some of the most frequently asked questions and offers tips from the
City.
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Q: What are
permits and why do I need one? |
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A:
Permits are the way the
City of Calabasas regulates construction. This is designed to ensure that all
construction in the city is safe. The safety of the occupants in buildings is
the primary reason for having construction codes. The City of Calabasas has
adopted several codes, among them the Uniform Building, Mechanical and Plumbing,
and National Electrical codes. In addition, there are federal, state and local
laws that govern construction, such as those covering energy conservation.
Obtaining
the permit is just the first step in the process. In this step, you may need to
create plans to submit to the department, make a plot plan for your property
showing the improvements, and show the type of construction you’ll be using.
The City
has
handouts
to help you through this process.
Once plans
are approved, you’re required to build the project according to those plans. If
any changes are made to the plans, they must be made with the City’s approval.
The second
half of the process is the inspection of the work. For more information about
the inspection process go to
Inspection - Frequently Asked Questions.
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Q:
When do I need a construction permit? |
A:
A construction permit is
needed for all new construction. In many cases, a permit is needed for repair or
replacement of existing fixtures, such as replacing windows. A plumbing,
electrical, or a mechanical permit maybe needed for any addition or changes to a
building’s existing system; for example, moving or adding an electrical outlet,
replacing a water heater or replacing a heating or air conditioning unit.
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Q: When don't
I need a permit? |
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A:
A construction permit is not
needed for items such as painting or similar finish work, platform, decks and
walks 30 inches high or less over grade, small storage sheds of 120 square feet
or less, retaining walls less than 3 feet tall (unless supporting a surcharge), and in several other cases.
Fences 6
feet high or lower do not generally require permits. Nevertheless, the Planning
Department may regulate fence height, location and type. If you are uncertain
about your project, a telephone call or visit to the
Planning Department may
save time and headaches. Additional reviews may be required from other agencies;
be sure to check before building.
For plumbing, mechanical
and, electrical work, replacement or repair of fixtures (such as changing water
faucets or replacing switches) does not normally require a permit. Replacing a
water heater or adding a permanently wired light fixture does, however, require
a permit. |
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Q: How do I
get a building permit? |
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A:
After construction plans are completed, submit the plans for plan
check at the Building & Safety Division at City Hall. Often, small projects can
be approved over-the-counter; larger projects may require more time to allow for
review by various City departments. Usually, replacement roofs, doors or
windows, air conditioners or heaters can be approved over-the-counter. For a
complete list of over-the-counter type projects, go to
Over-the-Counter Plan Review Thresholds. |
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Q: How long
does it take to get a permit? |
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A:
Permit issuance periods vary. Some projects can be fully
permitted over-the-counter, meaning a return trip won’t be needed. Some
projects, however, require that plans be left for additional review. For a
complete list of over-the-counter type projects, go to
Over-the-Counter Plan Review Thresholds. |
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Q: What
agencies or departments will need to review my plans? |
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A:
Other government agencies
may need to review and approve your project. For example, septic systems require
County Health Department approval as well as City approval. After your plans
have been submitted, the City will route a set to each of the various City
agencies that are required to review them. This is why we require that you
submit multiple sets of plans. To learn more about the plan review process see
Plan Review - Frequently Asked Questions. |
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Q: What if I
don't get a permit? |
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A:
If a permit, when needed, is not obtained before construction,
you have violated City codes and regulations. You’ll be required to obtain
permits for the work and expose all aspects of the work so that it can be
inspected or you’ll have to return the structure or site to its original
condition.
Complications may occur at time of sale. Many lenders will not
fund a loan for the sale of a house if it has non-permitted construction.
Sometimes non-permitted construction must be modified or torn down. For example,
holes may have to be punched in walls to make sure the framing, wiring, and
plumbing meet the code requirements.
Remember...construction
codes were created for safety reasons. Work built without a permit can be
unsafe, no matter how good it looks. |
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Q: Who should
obtain the permit? |
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A:
Contractors licensed by the
State of California or your authorized agent can obtain permits. The homeowner
can also obtain the permits. If an authorized agent of the homeowner or of the
contractor is going to be pulling the permits, then they must present an
Authorized Agent form with notarized signatures at the time of permit issuance.
For down-loadable Authorized Agent forms go to the
General Information: Handouts/Drawings/Forms page of our web site. |
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Q: Can I do
the work myself or do I have to hire a contractor? |
A:
You can do the work yourself, but you must follow certain
regulations. Among them are the following:
Workers’ Compensation:
If you will
be hiring anyone, you may have to purchase Workers’ Compensation Insurance,
which is available from a variety of agencies. If you won’t be hiring anyone,
we’ll ask you to sign an "Owner-Builder Statement" to this effect. We can’t
issue you a permit without either insurance or the completed Owner-Builder
Statement.
Build to the plans:
Be sure to
follow your approved plans, whether they are drawn by an architect or designer
or are standard construction requirements given to you by the City. If you
change the plans while building the structure, this will cause problems when the
project is inspected. If you decide to make changes, check with the City’s plan
review staff or your field inspector. |
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Q: What about inspections? |
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A:
It is your responsibility to call us for inspections at specific times
during construction. You may have your contractor make the call, but it is still
your responsibility, as the property owner, to make sure the inspections are
made. Inspections are made during certain points in the project, depending on
the work that’s being performed. For example, retaining walls require
inspections of the footing, after block is laid and steel placed but before
grouting, and when all work is finished. For more information, please see
the section "When to call for Inspections".
Remember. . . the project is
not complete for legal purposes until it has passed the final inspection. |
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Q: How long is a permit good for? |
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A:
A building permit is valid for 180 days after it is issued. In addition, the
Building Official may grant a 180- day extension. In most cases, a permit will
not be expired unless the applicant has failed to call for an inspection and
show progress on the project for a 360-day period. Once a permit is expired, you
may be required to begin the permit process from the beginning and pay all of
the applicable fees again, so it is wise to avoid permit expiration. |
