Request a Proposal
This resource is designed to help you navigate the City of Los Angeles plan check process and provide helpful information on how to get approved for permits as quickly as possible.
Feel free to reach out to our team for any additional information or questions as needed.
Happy Permitting!
Elizabeth Vernengo
Director of Production
Email: production@permitplace.com
Phone: 818.786.8690
Samantha has more than 13 years of experience managing commercial construction projects in the design and permitting stages. Her expertise is primarily in mall and restaurant tenant improvement projects. She has managed these types of projects throughout the United States and parts of Canada, with a primary focus in California. This experience has given her the ability to streamline your project’s permitting process as well as anticipate any project hiccups long before they become project issues. When Samantha is not working hard for your permits, she loves to spend time with her husband and two young children.
As the Assistant Project Manager, Tim is in charge of everything coming and going, and keeping his finger on the pulse of your project, knowing the status of all elements. He has permitted everything from ground-up drive through restaurants, to mobile vaccination trailers all over the United States. Tim is passionate about advocating for our clients and is a pro at navigating tricky jurisdictions and persistently following up with plan checkers and building officials. He's happy to assist with anything you may need.
Permit Place has an unique understanding of LADBS’ plan check process that helps us shepherd qualified commercial tenant improvement projects through the City of Los Angeles’ plan check process.
The majority of mall Tenant improvements can be processed online. Due to the City’s backlog and complicated process, permits typically take 4 to 6 months to process. Because of our experience with city processes, we can navigate the process in two to three months. Unexpected complications or plan check comments can alter this timeline.
To request a proposal for our services, complete the form on the right. We will get you a quote as soon as possible and get started immediately.
Once plans have been submitted, a plan check fee invoice will be generated and sent to your team. Fees typically range from $5,000 to $10,000 depending on the size and scope of your project. If fees are not paid, the plans will not be routed to the plan checkers. Payment can be made online, by credit card. Permit Place will send you the invoice as well as instructions for online payment.
Send materials to:
For Building permit submittals, provide a PDF set of drawings that meet the following requirements:
All of these materials should be emailed to your project manager unless otherwise specified.
*Landlord will send you stamped “FOR PERMITTING” approved drawings
While your choice, Permit Place highly recommends hiring architects and engineers familiar with LADBS to avoid delays in your reviews
If your project requires a Health permit, the Health permit will need to be approved before the final building approval (this typically only applies to restaurant or other food sales uses). Typically, we submit to health while waiting for Building comments, so we can get those comments around the same time. We will not be able to resubmit back to Building until we have the final Health approval.
LA County Health is currently taking 4-6 weeks for initial review. Subsequent reviews are in person, and typically take 2 weeks to schedule.
At this time, health reviews are done using physical plans only, no online process exists.
To submit for Health, provide and email the following to production@permitplace.com
Due to volume, LA County Health is currently not taking expedited reviews
We will keep the Health approved sets as we will need them to get final approvals, but will send them where directed as soon as the Building Permit is approved
Exterior Work might include:
New installation, or replacing rooftop unit
Exterior façade, street facing store fronts
If there is exterior work as part of your project, Building will often require clearance by Planning. Planning will need to be provided the following items:
Fees typically range from $300 to $500 but can be more depending on scope
There are some items you should be aware of.
You’ve received some comments on the plans you submitted, now what?
Once plans are approved for permit, you will be notified by the Project Manager with a “Ready to Issue” memo. It will include the plan check number for your project and further instructions on how to pull the permit.
Please provide all items listed on the right to production@permitplace.com
Provide the plan check number and RTI memo along with the following items to pull the permit:
*unfortunately, the City of Los Angeles will not calculate fees until the permit is actually ready to issue
Please allow 1-2 weeks for permit issuance
If you have an approved permit and are under construction, but need to revise the plans per field conditions, or an owner/landlord change request, plans must be resubmitted. We can coordinate this process. Revisions can usually be approved within 4 to 8 weeks
Click any document below to download.
Typical First Round Comments
To help you put your best foot forward out at the outset, below are links to the review checklists utilized by LADBS. If your plans address all of these items at the time of submittal, the risk of delay significantly decreases.
Architectural/Structural
Electrical
Mechanical/Plumbing
Notify Permit Place early if a new grease interceptor is being proposed. Separate Industrial Waste permits are required that we cannot submit until we have received Health approval for the project
Keep all riser diagrams on their own sheets. Do not mix floor plan layouts and riser diagrams on the same sheet
Kiosks