An approved recognized electrical testing agency is a testing agency that obtains approval from the Department of Building and Safety to perform testing and listing and field evaluation. A list of these recognized testing agencies are posted on the LADBS web as follows on the "Electrical Test Lab (ETL)" page:

• Testing agencies that have approval for listing of equipment
• Testing agencies that have approval for one-time field evaluation

All construction work for which a permit is required shall be subject to inspection by authorized inspectors. An inspection must be performed before work is concealed or covered. It is your responsibility to notify the inspector when the work is ready for inspection. Work is generally inspected and approved in succession and no work may continue beyond the point indicated in each successive inspection without first obtaining the approval of the inspector. 

Common items to be inspected are foundation excavations, concrete work, wood framing, ventilation equipment, plumbing, electrical, shear wall nailing, roof nailing etc. When completed, there shall be a final inspection and approval of the completed project.

The purpose for which a building, or part of a building, is used or intended to be used.

It is an order to correct a code violation.

Plan check is when your building plans are reviewed to make sure they comply with basic safety, engineering and planning rules. LADBS plan check engineers will review the design of such things as the structure, plumbing and electrical systems to make sure they are safe and properly designed. They will also look at other items, like building setbacks, heights and lot coverage to see that the construction is compatible with the neighborhood.

Plan check is part of the permit process. If your project disqualifies you from directly receiving an Express Permit, you will need to have a plan check. If it's a small project, a Counter Plan Check will suffice. If it's a large project, you might need to have a Regular Plan Check, where your plans are submitted and reviewed over the period of several weeks.

A prevailing setback is a calculation used to determine minimum distance construction can be from the front property line, essentially a front yard measurement. An online Yard Setback Information File is provided to assist in determining this complex calculation.

A Range File is a Code Enforcement Violation.

A soft-story building is a structure which has a weaker first floor and is unable to carry the weight of the stories above during an earthquake. The first floor generally would have large openings in the perimeter walls such as garages, tuck under parking or even large windows.

A soft-story building is a structure which has a weaker first floor and is unable to carry the weight of the stories above during an earthquake. The first floor generally would have large openings in the perimeter walls such as garages, tuck under parking or even large windows.

UL Standard is an Underwriters Laboratories standard used as the basis of evaluation and testing of equipment.