FAQ

The Permit Lab provides permit expediting and zoning consulting services across Los Angeles County, covering both incorporated cities and unincorporated communities under County jurisdiction. We frequently work in areas such as Pasadena, Altadena, Sierra Madre, Glendale, Burbank, Arcadia, La Cañada Flintridge, Monrovia, San Gabriel, La Crescenta-Montrose, among others.

Because each city and department applies regulations differently, our local experience helps projects move smoothly through review—whether you’re submitting to Unincorporated Los Angeles County, the City of Los Angeles, or one of its neighboring jurisdictions.

Not sure which agency oversees your property? Contact us, and we’ll help confirm your jurisdiction before you start planning.

At The Permit Lab, our process is designed to make permitting as smooth and predictable as possible.

We start with a discovery call to understand your project’s scope, location, and goals. During this step, we identify which agencies and codes apply—for example, whether your property falls under Los Angeles County or an incorporated city like Pasadena, Glendale, or Burbank—and outline any special requirements such as fire zones, hillside overlays, or historic review.

Next, we prepare a proposal and contract based on the project’s complexity and determine the most suitable pricing structure—flat fee, hourly, or hybrid. From there, we create a submittal checklist tailored to your jurisdiction, helping you gather all required documents, such as architectural plans, elevations, structural drawings, and supporting forms.

Once your package is ready, we complete all application forms and submit them on your behalf. Our team then monitors the project through plan check, tracks agency comments, responds to corrections, and coordinates resubmittals when needed.

Every project follows a slightly different path depending on location and scope, but our goal is always the same: to simplify the permitting process, minimize delays, and guide you from initial consultation to final approval with clarity and confidence.

The Permit Lab assists with a wide range of residential, commercial, and special project permits across Los Angeles County and its many city jurisdictions.

• Residential Permits:
  We handle home remodels, additions, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs and JADUs), new construction, and fire rebuilds—including projects in hillside or high-fire zones. Whether your property is in Altadena, Pasadena, Sierra Madre, Glendale, or Burbank, we help you align your plans with local codes to ensure a smooth review.

• Commercial Permits:
  Our team supports business owners and developers with tenant improvements, signage, parking modifications, accessibility upgrades, and change-of-use applications.

• Special Projects:
  We also manage complex entitlements and planning approvals, including Conditional Use Permits (CUPs), subdivisions (parcel maps and lot line adjustments), environmental and grading permits, oak tree permits, and historic preservation cases. These projects often require coordination between multiple departments — and that’s where our expertise streamlines the process.

If your project requires a permit, we can help you identify what’s needed, prepare the full submittal package, and guide you from initial research to final approval.

Many projects in the different jurisdictions within Los Angeles County involve multiple departments beyond Planning — and knowing which ones apply early can save weeks of delays.

In addition to Planning approvals, projects may also need reviews from:

• Building & Safety for structural, electrical, plumbing, energy compliance

• Public Works for grading, drainage, right-of-way, LID (Low Impact Development) requirements

• Fire Department for access, hydrant spacing, high fire severity zone compliance

• Environmental Health for septic systems, food service, or soil conditions

• Historic Preservation and Design Review Commissions, if your property is in a designated district or is a designated historic property

At The Permit Lab, we evaluate all these factors during our initial zoning and code review to identify which agencies must sign off before plans can be approved. This early coordination helps prevent surprises, minimize resubmittals, and keep your project moving smoothly through plan check.

If you’re unsure which departments your project needs approvals from, contact us — we’ll review your property’s zoning and jurisdiction and outline every required step before you begin design.

Permit timelines vary widely depending on the project type, jurisdiction, and the completeness of your submittal.

It’s important to understand that every case is different. The timeline depends on where you are in the planning process, the type of permit required, and how efficiently we can work together to gather and prepare the necessary documentation. Our role is to streamline that process — ensuring your submittal is complete, compliant, and positioned to move through plan check with minimal delays.

Yes. The Permit Lab provides full permitting support for fire rebuilds and reconstruction projects throughout Los Angeles County, including areas affected by the Eaton Fire in Altadena and the Palisades Fire.

We understand the urgency and emotional weight of rebuilding after a fire. Our team helps property owners, architects, and contractors navigate the specific permits and clearances required for fire-damaged properties — whether the project is like-for-like (rebuilding the same structure) or non-like-for-like (making design or layout changes).

We coordinate with the appropriate agencies — including Los Angeles County Planning, Building & Safety, Fire Department, and Public Works — to ensure all inspections, debris clearances, and plan checks are completed correctly. Because our process anticipates agency review requirements, we help minimize delays and move your project efficiently toward approval.

If your home was affected by a recent fire, contact us to learn how we can guide your rebuild from initial documentation to final permit approval.