One of the most common questions homeowners ask when planning construction in the Los Angeles area: "Who do I actually get a permit from?" The answer depends entirely on where your property is located — and varies dramatically between communities that many assume share the same process. Here's the definitive breakdown for the areas DG Custom Construction serves.

LA City (LADBS) — Sherman Oaks

Sherman Oaks falls within City of Los Angeles jurisdiction. All permits go through the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS), one of the largest building departments in the country. Online portal: PermitLA at epermits.ladbs.org. ADU permits: Submit ADU Pre-screening first, then standard building permit. Permit turnaround: 3–8 weeks for plan check (online); over-the-counter same day for simple projects like water heater replacements and electrical panel upgrades. Inspection scheduling: Available at ladbs.org, typically 2–5 business days lead time. Fire sprinklers are required for new construction over 3,600 sq ft and ADUs attached to the primary structure in many R-3 zones. Source: LADBS (ladbs.org).

LA County DRP — Altadena (Unincorporated)

Altadena is an unincorporated community, meaning it falls under LA County rather than any city. Permitting authority is the LA County Department of Public Works (DPW) for building permits and Department of Regional Planning (DRP) for land use. Building permit portal: dpw.lacounty.gov. ADU applications: Special ADU processing track, average 4–6 weeks for streamlined applications post-Eaton Fire. Post-Eaton Fire: Expedited rebuild track at planning.lacounty.gov/rebuilds. Fire hazard: Much of Altadena is in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ) — Chapter 7A fire-resistive construction requirements apply throughout. Source: LA County DRP (planning.lacounty.gov), LA County DPW (dpw.lacounty.gov).

City of Pasadena PDD

Pasadena has its own full-service Building Division within the Planning & Development Department (PDD), notable for 12 historic preservation overlay zones that add a review layer for exterior modifications. Portal: cityofpasadena.net/planning — Permit Center at 175 N. Garfield Ave. Historic Preservation: 12 HPO zones require a Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior work visible from the street; ADUs in rear yards are typically exempt. ADU permits: Generally 4–8 weeks for standard processing; 2–3 weeks for garage conversions and JADUs. Utilities: Pasadena Water and Power (PWP) coordination for new service or panel upgrades adds 3–6 weeks; coordinate early. Source: City of Pasadena PDD (cityofpasadena.net/planning).

City of Malibu — Coastal Commission Layer

Malibu sits almost entirely within the California Coastal Zone, meaning most construction also requires a Coastal Development Permit (CDP) in addition to standard building permits. City of Malibu Building: malibu.ca.gov/building. CDP: Required for new construction, additions over 10% of square footage, and site grading; review typically adds 2–6 months. Fire: All of Malibu is Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone — Chapter 7A applies throughout. Hillside/grading: Projects on slopes may require geotechnical reports and grading permits; the Regional Water Quality Control Board may also weigh in for projects near drainage. Source: CA Coastal Commission (coastal.ca.gov), City of Malibu (malibu.ca.gov).

How DG Navigates All Four Jurisdictions

Our team works regularly in all four jurisdictions. Before any project starts we confirm the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) — some owners are surprised to learn whether they're in LA City, LA County, or a separate city. We conduct pre-application meetings with the building department for ADUs, additions over 500 sq ft, and projects in historic or coastal zones. We prepare permit-ready construction documents including plans, Title 24 energy compliance, and geotechnical reports where required. We manage inspections through final Certificate of Occupancy. Permit management is included in every DG project — not subcontracted, not an extra. Call (818) 876-2026 to start your project.