Do you need a permit to remodel a kitchen in Los Angeles?

Do you need a permit to remodel a kitchen in Los Angeles?

Yes, in most cases: a kitchen remodel in Los Angeles needs a permit when it changes plumbing, gas, electrical or walls, and in the City of Los Angeles a kitchen remodel with no structural changes can use an LADBS Express Permit, which needs no plan check.1

Painting is exempt, and very small work can be exempt too under the city code, unless it affects the structure or public safety.2 Most kitchen remodels go past that: LADBS's e-permit lists cabinets, flooring, wall finishes, tile, counters and plumbing or electrical fixtures as work it permits, so ask LADBS if you are unsure whether a job is exempt.3

Step 1. Which building department covers your address?

Check the address in ZIMAS. If the property is outside the City of Los Angeles, another department applies, such as LA County Building and Safety for unincorporated areas, or a city that runs its own.4 LA County lists kitchen remodels among the work where plan check is usually required, so the path there can differ from the City.5 The steps below are for the City of Los Angeles.

Step 2. Which permit path fits the work?

Replacing cabinets, flooring, wall finishes, tile, counters and plumbing or electrical fixtures in the same places can go on a combined e-permit.3 Changing walls or openings, or running new plumbing or electrical fixtures through existing walls, means the permits are issued at an LADBS Construction Services Center, with a counter plan check for wall changes.3

Step 3. What about gas and electrical?

Plumbing permits cover any installation or modification of drain, waste, vent, fuel gas and water piping.6 The Express Permit list includes replacing or adding plumbing fixtures, low pressure gas piping with up to 10 outlets, and electrical work in existing residential buildings under 600 volts and up to 400 amps of load, including adding devices to existing circuits.1 Larger or more complex work goes through plan check.4

Step 4. What plans does a layout change need?

Two sets of floor plans drawn at 1/4 inch to 1 foot: one of the existing kitchen and one of the proposed kitchen, each showing the rooms next to it.3 If the design calls for structural work, the structural drawings and calculations must be signed or stamped by a California-licensed engineer or design professional.2

Step 5. How does plan check work?

LADBS says counter plan check is reviewed the same day, in about 45 to 60 minutes for small and medium projects, at the Metro, Van Nuys, West LA, South LA and San Pedro offices.7 Larger projects are taken in and reviewed in turn, and the time varies.5

Step 6. What does the contractor submit?

For a building permit LADBS asks for the contractor's license number and classification, workers' compensation insurance information, the City of Los Angeles business tax registration certificate and a permitted construction waste hauler, plus a subcontractor form for any subcontractors.4 This is part of why we pull the permit for you.

Step 7. How do inspections work?

In most cases one inspection is required when the remodel is complete. LADBS asks that you request it one business day ahead through the Automated Inspection Request System or the call center, and the Final code is 335.3 Larger jobs can have partial inspections, and each phase has to pass before the next one starts.4 Ask your inspector which apply to your permit.

Can I do my own kitchen renovation?

A homeowner can pull a permit as an owner-builder, and LADBS asks for an Owner-Builder Declaration.4 The owner then takes on full responsibility for the project, the inspections, and paying workers and suppliers.8

What happens if I remodel my kitchen without a permit?

If work starts without a required permit, LADBS investigates before it issues the permit and charges an investigation fee in addition to the normal permit fee.9 You still have to get the permit.

Written by Home Pro Green Remodeling Inc., a general contractor in Tarzana with over 30 years of combined experience. CSLB #1003187.

Next step

To talk about your kitchen permit, call (818) 610-9852 or send a message through the contact form on our website. We will tell you which permit path applies to your layout. Home Pro Green Remodeling Inc., CSLB #1003187.

Home Pro Green Remodeling Inc. | CSLB #1003187 18375 Ventura Blvd Ste 378, Tarzana, CA 91356 (818) 610-9852

Sources (every URL below was opened and read on 2026-10-27)

1. LADBS Information Bulletin P/GI 2026-003, Express Permits (No Plan Check Required), effective Jan 1, 2026, revised Jun 10, 2026 (Building item 2: kitchen/bathroom remodel, no structural changes; Plumbing items 2 and 3; Electrical item 2). https://dbs.lacity.gov/sites/default/files/efs/forms/pc17/ib-p-gi-2020-003-express-permits_rev-5-28-2024.pdf
2. Los Angeles Municipal Code Sec. 91.106, Permits (91.106.2 work exempt from a permit, including painting and papering and very small work below a value threshold; the section was amended by Ord. 188,797, effective 12/31/2025; 91.106.3.3.2 structural design must be signed or stamped by a California-licensed engineer or design professional). https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/los_angeles/latest/lamc/0-0-0-172464
3. PermitLA (LADBS), Kitchen remodel (e-permit limits, plans for layout changes, inspections, AIRS code 335 Final). https://www.permitla.org/building/kitchen_remodel_detail.html
4. LADBS, Homeowner Step-By-Step (ZIMAS check, Express Permit vs. Plan Check, counter plan check types, inspections, final). https://dbs.lacity.gov/services/homeowner-step-by-step
5. LA County Building and Safety, Building Plan Check (unincorporated areas and contract cities). https://dpw.lacounty.gov/building-and-safety/plancheck/building
6. LADBS, Plumbing Permits (permit required for any installation or modification of drainage, waste, vent, gas and water piping). https://dbs.lacity.gov/services/plan-review-permitting/plumbing-permits
7. LADBS, Counter Plan Check (same-day review, about 45 to 60 minutes; Van Nuys office listed). https://dbs.lacity.gov/services/plan-review-permitting/plan-check-permit/counter-plan-check
8. CSLB, Owner-Builder Responsibilities. https://www.cslb.ca.gov/consumers/Know_Risks_Of_Owner_-Builder/The_Responsibilities_Of_An_Owner-_Builder.aspx
9. Los Angeles Municipal Code Sec. 98.0402, Investigation Fee for work started without a permit. https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/los_angeles/latest/lamc/0-0-0-189769
10. CSLB, Homeowner Checklists (permits in the contract, permit fees, payment schedule, changes in writing). https://www.cslb.ca.gov/consumers/hire_a_contractor/Home_Improvement_Contracts/Homeowner_Checklists.aspx
11. CSLB, Check a License. https://www.cslb.ca.gov/onlineservices/checklicenseII/checklicense.aspx