Do I need a permit for a kitchen remodel in the San Fernando Valley?

In most cases. In the City of Los Angeles, a kitchen remodel with no structural changes can use an LADBS Express Permit with no plan check, and wall or opening changes need plan check.

Do I need a permit to remove a kitchen wall?

Yes. It needs plan check at a LADBS center, with existing and proposed floor plans.

Where is the LADBS office for the Valley?

The Development Services Center at 6262 Van Nuys Blvd, 2nd Floor, Room 251, Van Nuys.

How do I check a contractor's license?

On the CSLB Check a License page. Ours is 1003187.

Kitchen remodeling in the San Fernando Valley: permits, gas, walls and inspections

Q: Do I need a permit to move a gas line for a range?

Yes, except for piping under 6 feet long between an existing outlet and an appliance in the same room.

By Home Pro Green Remodeling Inc. · Published November 9, 2026

What does a kitchen remodel in the San Fernando Valley need?

A kitchen remodel in the San Fernando Valley needs a permit when it changes plumbing, gas, electrical or walls, and for a home in a Los Angeles neighborhood such as Tarzana, Encino, Woodland Hills or Sherman Oaks, that permit comes from the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS), whose Valley office is the Development Services Center at 6262 Van Nuys Blvd in Van Nuys.1 2 3 4 A kitchen remodel with no structural changes can use an Express Permit, which needs no plan check.6

Home Pro Green Remodeling Inc. is based in Tarzana and serves the San Fernando Valley and greater Los Angeles. This page covers the permit steps that are specific to a kitchen, so you can compare any bid against them.

Step 1. Is your Valley address in the City of Los Angeles?

Look it up in ZIMAS. LADBS says a property that cannot be found there may be outside the City of Los Angeles and need another department.5 City Planning's community plans include Tarzana, Encino, Woodland Hills, Sherman Oaks and Studio City.1 2 3

Step 2. Is it a same-layout kitchen?

If so, LADBS's combined e-permit covers repairing or replacing cabinets, flooring, wall finishes, tile, counters, and plumbing and electrical fixtures. It does not allow changes to walls or openings, or new plumbing or electrical fixtures going into existing walls.7 If your job is very small, ask LADBS at 311 whether a permit applies.7

Step 3. What permits does a gas range or new gas line need?

LADBS requires a permit for gas piping, except piping under 6 feet long between an existing outlet and an appliance in the same room.8 Low pressure gas piping with up to 10 outlets is on the Express Permit list.6 More generally, LADBS requires a plumbing permit for any installation or change of drain, waste, vent, gas or water piping.9

Step 4. What about wiring and the range hood?

Rewiring or adding outlets on existing circuits is on the Express Permit list, and so is other electrical work under 600 volts and up to 400 amps in an existing home.6 A new general ventilation exhaust fan rated 2,000 cfm or less is also an Express Permit item.6

Step 5. What if you want to open the kitchen to the next room?

Removing a wall or changing an opening needs a plan check at the public counter of a LADBS center. You bring two sets of plans: a floor plan at 1/4 inch to 1 foot showing the existing kitchen and each room next to it, and one showing the proposed layout.7 Structural design must be signed or stamped by a licensed professional.11 LADBS says counter plan check reviews small and medium projects in about 45 to 60 minutes, and the Van Nuys center offers it.10 4 Larger projects go to Regular Plan Check, returned "within weeks depending on workload."12

How is a Valley kitchen remodel inspected?

In most cases one inspection is required when the remodel is complete. You schedule it through the LADBS automated system or the call center at 311, and the final inspection code for a kitchen is 335.7

How do you check a kitchen remodeler's license?

California requires contractors to be licensed by the Contractors State License Board (CSLB), and you can check a license online or by phone.5 Use the CSLB Check a License page.13 Ours is 1003187. Make sure the contract says who pulls the permit. We pull the permits.

Where can you read about kitchen cost and timing?

Our posts on kitchen remodel cost in Los Angeles and how long a kitchen remodel takes in Los Angeles give published Los Angeles ranges, each attributed to its source. They are not Home Pro prices or schedules.

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

Next step

Call (213) 770-6727 or use the contact form to talk about your kitchen or bathroom remodel. We will tell you which permit path applies to your kitchen. Home Pro Green Remodeling Inc., CSLB #1003187.

Sources (all pages opened and read on 2026-11-09)

City of Los Angeles Planning, Encino - Tarzana Community Plan (plan area includes the neighborhoods of Encino and Tarzana). https://planning.lacity.gov/plans-policies/community-plan-area/encino-tarzana
City of Los Angeles Planning, Canoga Park - Winnetka - Woodland Hills - West Hills Community Plan (plan area includes Woodland Hills). https://planning.lacity.gov/plans-policies/community-plan-area/canoga-park-winnetka-woodland-hills-west-hills-community-plan
City of Los Angeles Planning, Sherman Oaks - Studio City - Toluca Lake - Cahuenga Pass Community Plan (plan area includes Sherman Oaks). https://planning.lacity.gov/plans-policies/community-plan-area/sherman-oaks-studio-city-toluca-lake-cahuenga-pass
LADBS, Van Nuys Development Services Center (address and services). https://dbs.lacity.gov/our-organization/locations-offices/van-nuys
LADBS, Homeowner Step-By-Step (ZIMAS check, LA County service locator, Express Permits, plan check, inspections). https://dbs.lacity.gov/services/homeowner-step-by-step
LADBS Information Bulletin P/GI 2026-003, Express Permits (No Plan Check Required), effective Jan 1, 2026, revised Jun 10, 2026. https://dbs.lacity.gov/sites/default/files/efs/forms/pc17/ib-p-gi-2020-003-express-permits_rev-5-28-2024.pdf
PermitLA (LADBS), Kitchen remodel (combined e-permit scope, wall and opening changes, plans, inspections). https://www.permitla.org/building/kitchen_remodel_detail.html
LADBS, gas piping permits (exception for piping under 6 feet between an existing outlet and an appliance in the same room). https://dbs.lacity.gov/node/2342
LADBS, Plumbing Permits (permit for any installation or change of drain, waste, vent, gas and water piping). https://dbs.lacity.gov/services/plan-review-permitting/plumbing-permits
LADBS, Counter Plan Check (review in about 45 to 60 minutes, project types, offices). https://dbs.lacity.gov/services/plan-review-permitting/plan-check-permit/counter-plan-check
Los Angeles Municipal Code Sec. 91.106, Permits (91.106.2 work exempt from a permit; 91.106.3.3.2 structural design signed by a licensed professional). https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/los_angeles/latest/lamc/0-0-0-172464
LADBS, Regular Plan Check (plans returned within weeks depending on workload, offices). https://dbs.lacity.gov/services/plan-review-permitting/plan-check-permit/regular-plan-check
CSLB, Check a License. https://www.cslb.ca.gov/onlineservices/checklicenseII/checklicense.aspx