Custodian of Records
Anyone can initiate a request to Public Records. It may include a wide variety of documents and materials (including print, photographic, and electronic formats) that were created or obtained by the LADBS.
About the Program
The California State Legislature adopted the Public Records Act in 1968. It is designed to give the public access to information in the possession of public agencies. The Act also provides that public records shall be open for inspection during regular office hours of the agency. The public can inspect or receive a copy of any record unless the record is exempted from disclosure under the act.
Additional Resources
- FAQ
FAQ Search Results
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Many building records can be researched online.
You may also obtain copies of these documents in person at our following locations:
| Downtown LA - Metro 201 N. Figueroa St. 1st Floor, Room 110 | Van Nuys 6262 Van Nuys Blvd 2nd Floor, Room 251 |
Downtown LA - Metro201 N. Figueroa St.
1st Floor, Room 110 Van Nuys
6262 Van Nuys Blvd
2nd Floor, Room 251 Downtown LA - Metro
201 N. Figueroa St.
1st Floor, Room 110 Van Nuys
6262 Van Nuys Blvd
2nd Floor, Room 251 Downtown LA - Metro
201 N. Figueroa St.
1st Floor, Room 110Downtown LA - Metro
Downtown LA - Metro
201 N. Figueroa St
Van Nuys
6262 Van Nuys Blvd
2nd Floor, Room 251Van NuysVan Nuys
6262 Van Nuys Blvd
Research Request Form (.pdf)
By Mail
The Metro and Van Nuys offices accept requests for records (Research Request Form (.pdf)) by fax and/or mail. (Please allow 7 - 15 working days for processing). The following mailing addresses are:
| Downtown LA - Metro Department of Building and Safety Building Records Section 201 N. Figueroa St 1st Floor, Room 110 Los Angeles, CA 90012 Fax # (213) 482-6862 | Van Nuys Department of Building and Safety Building Records Section 6262 Van Nuys Blvd 2nd Floor, Room 251 Van Nuys, CA 91401 Fax # (818) 374-5013 |
The Metro and Van Nuys offices also provide training for individuals who wish to learn how to research for high volume jobs.
To schedule for training at the Metro office on Tuesday only, please call (213) 482-6899 or at the Van Nuys office on Wednesday only, please call (818) 374-4390.
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Check the equipment approval letter. Every approval letter indicates the models that are included. You may check the approval letters on the "LA Research Reports" page.
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To open a new public record request, please contact the LADBS Custodian of Records via email at
public.custodianofrecords@lacity.org. In the subject line, please indicate that it is a Public Records Act Request.
In the body, please include the property address, the specific documents you are requesting, and your contact information.
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Find all the forms to make a data request on our Service Requests forms page.
The areas that provide records include the Plan Check and Inspection System (PCIS) and Code Enforcement Information System (CEIS).
The forms package includes:
- Request to Purchase PCIS/CofO/CEIS Data
- Instructions for Obtaining PCIS/CofO/CEIS data
- Record layout for Building Permit data from PCIS
- Record Layout for Building Permit Data with CofO Data from PCIS
- Record Layout for Mechanical and Electrical Permit Data from PCIS
- Record Layout for Code Enforcement Cases from CEIS
- Record Layout for Customer Service Request from CEIS
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Please contact the designer of the pre-approved plan to inquire about fees. Please see the link, ‘For further information on this standard plan click here.’ listed under each plan.
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Building and Safety addresses issues for single-family residential, commercial, industrial and vacant buildings inside the City of Los Angeles. You can report a code violation online, or call 3-1-1 to request an investigation
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During the regular plan check submittal process, an additional set of plans is collected and routed for Green Building section for review and approval process, if required.
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Height of an ADU is generally measured as any other structure would be measured under the LAMC, given the governing height limit standards in the applicable zone, Height District, Hillside Area, Specific Plan area, or other Overlay. For the purposes of applying the 16 feet maximum height standard as required by state law (referenced in LAMC Section 12.22 A.33(c)(1)(iii), (g)(1), and GC Section 65852.2(e)(1)(D)), height shall be measured according to the standard Zoning Code definition of Height of Building or Structure in LAMC Section 12.03.
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Walking distance is measured by the shortest distance that can be traveled by walking on public streets and sidewalks from a transit stop to the closest point on the subject Lot, as determined by generally available mapping systems, such as Google Maps.
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Our goal is to assign an application in approximately 5 weeks to one of our engineers and an additional 3-7 weeks (depending on the complexity of the submittal) for the evaluation to be completed, a draft copy of the research report to be written, and the final copy of the research report signed. If the substantiating data is incomplete, such as missing test reports, testing not conducted by an approved testing agency, incomplete or missing engineering calculations, etc., the time to obtain a Los Angeles City Research Report may take longer.
Expedite report review is available pursuant to section 98.0422 of the Los Angeles City Municipal Code. The amount of the fee for this service is in addition to the normal review fee and is equal to one-half of the review fee.
The intent of the expedite service is to reduce the time to assign your application from approximately 5-weeks to 2- weeks.
For an estimate of the current assignment time for the expediting service you may call the Building Research Section at (213) 202-9812.
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