City of Lawndale, CA

When Are Plans Required?

The following activities will require plans to be approved by both the Planning Department and the Building & Safety Department for permits to be issued.

• Projects That Require Plans:
• Adding, altering, relocating, or removing interior and exterior walls
• Additions to existing structures
• Remodels
• Complete or partial demolition of structures
• New construction
• Conversions of structures
• Legalizing any unpermitted additions or demolitions
• Significant remodeling of a dwelling unit
• Tenant improvements
• Occupancy changes
• Alterations, installation, relocations, or remodel of open and enclosed patios and carports, pergolas, awnings
• Outstanding changes to a building's facade or architectural style

To determine if your proposed work will require plans, or to learn about the planning review process, please contact the Planning Department at (310) 973-3206. Contact Building & Safety at (310) 973-3236 to learn more about the building plan check and permitting processes.

---

Plans to Permits Process

If your project requires the approval of plans from both the Planning and Building & Safety departments, the flowchart linked below provides a general overview of the process and timelines.

Timelines may vary based on the scope of work, staff workload, and if the plans comply with submittal requirements, zoning regulations, building code regulations, etc. Additional clearances may also be required.

---

Planning Review/Site Plan Review

The initial review begins with the Planning Department. A Site Plan Review application will be required when submitting to the Planning Department for review. The Planning Department will verify that the proposed work meets applicable zoning and planning regulations.

The Planning Department will also determine if a project needs to go through entitlements (Special Use Permit, Design Review, Tentative Map, Lot Size Exception, etc.) and a public hearing before the Planning Commission prior to moving a project forward to Building & Safety.

---

Building Plan Check

A building plan check is a review process conducted by an LA County Plan Check Engineer to ensure that proposed designs comply with health and safety regulations. This process involves examining permit applications, construction drawings, material samples, and more. The plan reviewer provides comments on proposed plans to mark changes that must be made for the plans to comply with applicable Building, Plumbing, Electrical, and Mechanical codes.

Once the initial plan check is completed and comments are sent to the applicant, a re-check is usually required to ensure that all comments have been addressed. When plans are fully compliant and acceptable for construction, the plan reviewer can approve them for fees to be paid and a permit to be issued.

Generally, the applicant is instructed to submit to Building & Safety plan check once the Planning Department conditionally approves the plans.