Permit FAQ's

Here are responses to some commonly asked questions regarding permits.

1. Why Are Permits Required?

  1. Building permits are essential for allowing local jurisdictions to verify that any work done complies with the building and construction process based on the current building and safety requirements.

  2. It improves safety for the building occupants and the surrounding community.

  3. It is required by the State and County building code!

  4. It helps keep track of what repairs and alterations were made to a building if the property where to be sold or transferred.

  5. Insurance companies may not cover damages or work caused by unpermitted changes or repairs.

  6. Building permits help ensure that all structures meet minimum building standards and regulations to protect the occupants and surrounding neighbors.

2. Items That Don't Require Permits

  • painting interior or exterior walls (except for exterior paint for businesses located within the Hawthorne Blvd. Specific Plan area),

  • changes to flooring that does not involve breaking the floor slab,

  • replacement of portable electrical equipment,

  • portable heating, cooling and ventilation devices,

  • non-fixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks,

  • installation of radio or television transmission equipment (satellite dish, antenna),

  • changing out counter or cabinets that are not attached to electrical, mechanical, or plumbing fixtures/apparatuses, or altering the configuration of a room.

  • non-fixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches in height,

  • low-energy power, control, and signal circuits that are not an integral part of an appliance and in which the power is limited from a source having a rated output of not more than 30 volts and 1000 volt-amperes,

  • Electrical wiring, devices, appliances, apparatus, or equipment operating at less than 25 volts and not capable of supplying more than 50 watts of energy,

  • the repair or replacement of an existing fence or wall provided that all of the following conditions are met:

    • the fence or wall is in compliance with the height limit requirement for its location on the lot,

    • the repair or replacement of such fence or wall, within any twelve-month period, affects less than twenty-five percent of the straight line horizontal linear dimension of that segment of the fence or wall that is being repaired or replaced, and

    • the repair or replacement of such fence or wall utilizes the same materials and style as the existing fence.

  • papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and similar finish work where disabled access requirements do not apply,

  • Temporary decorative lightning,

  • Private telephone, intercom, sound and communication systems; provided, however, that the above system(s) do not exceed the value as indicated in (9) and (10) of this section.
    • Exemption from the permit requirements of the building and zoning codes shall not deem to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of these Codes or other laws or ordinances.

3. What Other Items Require Permits?

Finance Department - (310) 973-3246 / (310) 973-3244
  • Yard/garage sales
  • Residential rentals
  • Conducting business inside the city
  • Home occupation business
  • Security alarms
Public Works Department - (310) 973-3260
  • Conducting work on the public right-of-way
  • Storing construction waste bins on the street
  • Alterations to the parkway
  • Parking passes for the Hawthorne Boulevard median
  • Underground utilities
Municipal Services - (310) 973-3220
  • Neighborhood block parties
  • Registration/license renewals for dogs
  • Street parking for oversized vehicles/RV's (up to 7 days, twice a year)

4. Are There Penalties for Doing Work Without Permits?

If a code enforcement officer, or the building inspector, observe work being done without permits, a stop-work order will be issued to the job site.

An investigation fee will be applied to a permit when pulling permits for the unpermitted work after the fact. The investigation fees are:

  • Permits pulled by an owner-builder: $487.88
  • Permits pulled by a contractor: $975.78
Separate code enforcement fines may be issued for non-compliance. For more information on Administrative Citations please call the Code Enforcement Department at (310) 973-3220.

5. At What Times Can I Do Construction?

Construction can be performed during the following hours:

Monday - Friday: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday and City observed holidays:  No work allowed!

6. How Do I Report Unpermitted Construction?

To report construction being performed outside of the permitted hours or report work being done without permits contact the Code Enforcement Department at (310) 973-3220.

7. How Long Are Building Permits Good For?

Building permits are valid for:
  • If work hasn't begun once the permit is issued, then 180 days
  • If work has started, then six months from the last successful inspection
If additional time is needed, then two extension are allowed (up to an additional year):
  • Pay a 25% permit extension fee to extend permits for an additional six months (before permit expiration),
  • Pay a 50% permit renewal fee to extend permits for an additional six months within a 180 days of permit expiration

    8. How Long Are Planning Permits Good For?

    Planning permits are valid for six months from the date of approval. If the approved work is not completed within those six months, a new application will need to be paid for. Speak to a Planner regarding permit renewals.
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