Focus on...Planning, Building and Safety

Planning, Building and Safety

The purpose of the City’s Planning Division and the Building & Safety Division is to provide a safe, attractive and well-maintained community through quality customer service. It is the City’s goal to assist residents in understanding building construction and local land use issues. By effectively and evenly enforcing state and local construction and land use codes, we hope to ensure a balanced community. The Planning Division reviews proposed developments to ensure that the final product complies with the La Mirada Zoning Ordinance and in certain instances proposals are forwarded to the Planning Commission or to the City Council. Planning is also responsible for zoning maps, approval of minor variances, fences and walls, patio covers, sign permits, residential and commercial additions.

Why does the City have rules and regulations regarding Planning, Zoning and Building & Safety? The City has these rules and regulations to help residents complete their projects safely and correctly, saving time and money, and making it much easier for you to sell your home in the future (buyers usually want to see a valid building permit). The City uses the 1997 Uniform Building Code with the Los Angeles County 1997 Amendment, including codes for electrical, mechanical and plumbing work. Planning approval and building permits are required for many important reasons and by following these City rules and meeting all building and safety codes, you are:

·         Helping to maintain the City's high standards;
·         Helping to ensure that home improvements are attractive and fit well within their neighborhoods;
·         Maintaining La Mirada’s property values and quality of life;
·         Protecting your family's safety.

Building & Safety Division The City of La Mirada contracts with the County of Los Angeles to provide building/safety and engineering services for the City. The Building & Safety Division is responsible for safety and quality standards for the design, construction, materials, use and occupancy, location, and maintenance of all buildings and structures within the City.

The Building & Safety Division maintains a permit application counter between the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 2:30 to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday and from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2:30 to 4 p.m. on alternate Fridays. Building Inspectors are available each morning to respond to questions and review plans from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Requests for inspections can be received between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. the day before the requested inspection. Please remember, City offices are closed on alternate Fridays. Inspections for permitted work may be requested by calling (562) 943-0131.

Owner-Builder Information: An application for a building permit may be submitted in your name listing yourself as the builder of your own property. However, for your protection you should be aware that as an ‘owner-builder’ you are the responsible party of record on such a permit. Building permits are not required to be signed by property owners unless they are personally performing their own work. If someone other than yourself is performing your work, you may protect yourself from possible liability if that person applies for the proper permit in his or her name. Contractors are required by law to be licensed and bonded by the State of California and to have a valid business license from the City or County in which they are doing the work. They are also required by law to put their license number on all permits for which they apply. There may be financial risks for you if you do not carry out these obligations, and these risks are especially serious with respect to workers’ compensation insurance. A frequent practice of unlicensed persons professing to be contractors is to secure an owner-builder building permit, erroneously implying that the property owner is providing his or her own labor and material personally. Building permits are not required to be signed by property owners unless they are performing their own work personally.

Information about licensed contractors may be obtained by contacting the Contractors’ State License Board in your community or at 1020 N Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. or the website at www.cslb.ca.gov

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