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I. Plan Review & Permitting
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Standard Plan Program
About the Program
The use of a Standard Plan greatly reduces the time required for plan check. Permits can therefore be issued much faster for the following:
- Single-Family Homes (SFH)
- Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)
- Additional Standard Plans for swimming pools, metal patio covers, stairways, signs, etc.
Standard Plans are not approved until LADBS has verified compliance with the Building, Residential, Green Building, and Energy Codes.
This Standard Plan program offers pre-approved, architectural and engineering plans designed to meet local building codes without the need for a full plan check. These designs are prepared by an appropriate design professional, such as a California-licensed architect, to accommodate various site conditions and are reviewed and approved by the Department of Building and Safety. As these plans are privately owned, property owners interested in building a structure with a Standard Plan must contact the owner of the plan to purchase a copy. Possession of a Standard Plan, however, does not waive the necessity for a building permit. To obtain a building permit, in addition to a wet-stamped and signed copy of a Standard Plan, plans indicating how the Standard Plan will be adapted to a specific site must then be brought to one of our offices along with the necessary details indicating how and where the structure will be built in a specific location. The Department will review all of the plans and issue a building permit once it is verified that the construction complies with all applicable portions of the Building code.
Architects/Builders/Designers
Criteria & Guidelines
All submissions will be reviewed by LADBS for inclusion in the program. Each submission must include a complete architectural and structural drawing set with accompanying code compliance documentation.
Fees
LADBS will charge plan review fees based on the number of required hours to review initial plans for pre-approval. Once an owner chooses a pre-approved plan for permitting, building plan check and permit fees will be based on the total project valuation (total cost of construction).
The Process
Step 2.
LADBS Reviews Plans
Step 3.
Upon Approval - City Notifies Architect/Builder that review is complete
Ready to Submit
Homeowners
Before You Begin
- Every property is unique. A pre-approved design may not work for your property due to site-specific constraints. Verify with LADBS that the pre-approved design works for your property before you contract with a professional.
- All pre-approved standard plans require final review by LADBS, to ensure final compliance and address site-specific conditions and clearances, before you can obtain building permits to begin construction.
- The pre-approval of a plan is not an endorsement by the City of the designer/firm or their ability to complete the work they contract to do. Applicants should do their own due diligence before entering into a contract with a professional.
- Designers own and are responsible for their design. You must contract with the design professional to use their pre-approved plans.
- Pre-approved designs may or may not be able to be customized. Please work with the designer in question to see whether or not there are customizable options available.
*Please note that individual sites are unique and different. Localized soil conditions may require site-specific foundation work, structural designs, and/or detailed engineering in order to support the proposed design
How to Use a Pre-Approved Standard Plan
- Review the Pre-Approved Standard Plan Catalog - Start by reviewing the City’s catalog of pre-approved standard plans and pick a plan that suits your needs. If you do not see a design that fits your needs right away, please check back regularly as new designs will be added to the catalog on a rolling basis.
- Contact the Plan Owner/Designer - Homeowners wishing to use a standard plan must coordinate directly with the plan owner for access, pricing and to understand the terms of use.
- Right-Size the Design to Your Property - Work with the designer to review whether there are any customizable aspects to their design, as well as how the design fits your unique lot conditions. It is encouraged to check with LADBS that your preferred design is feasible considering any unique site-specific conditions on your lot. Note that adjustments may result in additional costs and may require additional reviews by the City.
- Optional: Use of AI Pre-Plan Check (“Know Before You Go”) - Before formally submitting, you or your architect may upload your customized plan to the City’s AI pre-plan check tool. This allows you to identify potential issues and make corrections early, saving time and avoiding delays.
- Submit Plans to LADBS - Once finalized, submit your plan package to LADBS for formal review. Online via the Eplan LA portal.
- Obtain Permit - After LADBS reviews and approves your plans, your permit will be issued.
- Begin Construction - With your permit in hand, you may proceed with construction. Once construction is underway, LADBS inspections will be required prior to obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy.
Catalog of Plans
Submit Your Standard Plan Application
Once you have selected or prepared your standard plan, you can submit your application through the City's ePlan system.
Additional Resources
For more options, visit our FAQ page.
- FAQ
FAQ Search Results
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A contractor may sign for their own design as permitted by the State Law and section 93.0206(a).
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Yes, if the house is one story and will be built from plans based on the Department standard "Wood Frame Prescriptive Provisions One Story Residential Construction Only."
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Yes. From time to time, a testing agency may list an electrical product that may be in violation of the electrical code, and sometimes in violation of the safety test standard that the equipment supposed to be in compliance with, or evaluated to the incorrect safety test standard. In these cases, when such a product is discovered, the testing agency is notified to take immediate corrective action. If in the opinion of the Department, the equipment is considered to be of eminent hazard to the public or the property, or if the testing agency is nonresponsive to the Department request to resolve the problem, the equipment is not permitted to be installed or energized until the matter can be resolved.
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No, the City of Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 93.0402 requires that the testing agencies and the product standards used by these agencies to be approved by the Department. For a list of approved laboratories, and list of their recognized standards, please visit our ETL page.
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You have the right to appeal any project. There will be a fee for an appeal.
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Yes, you can appeal if the project you are appealing was submitted to LADBS for plan check. LADBS will provide a response to the appeal in writing, and then you may appeal to City Planning if you do not agree with LADBS' responses. See Information Bulletin P/ZC 2023-019 for more information.
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No, a permit is valid for two years from the time the permit fees are paid. You will need to obtain a new permit for the remaining work not completed under the expired permit.
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Yes, you can ask the inspector for your project about a permit extension.
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A request for Plan Check extension can be granted in most cases. See the Policy for Plan Check Time Extension Information Bulletin for more information.
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