Notable Changes to Service, Effective 3/27/2020

Until further notice, all City of Laguna Niguel facilities, including City Hall, are closed to the public. This is in line with the Governor’s Order to reduce the further spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). During this time, the Laguna Niguel Building & Safety Division is continuing to provide essential City services and information for our residents and businesses to the best of our ability online, via telephone, and through the City website.

Community Development services will continue to be offered as outlined below. We appreciate your patience and flexibility as we strive to deliver great service while protecting the health of our customers, our staff, and the general public. Although we will work to be as responsive as possible during this transition, please allow additional time for plan review, permit issuance, and other Community Development services.

Please email any questions to: bpermit@cityoflagunaniguel.org

To learn more about Building & Safety Service Changes, click here.

Building Division

The Building & Safety Division is responsible for the building and safety standards for the design, construction, use, and occupancy, of all buildings and structures in the City. We provide plan checking, permitting, and inspection services for new construction, additions, renovations, alterations, and remodels to assure all structures meet the minimum life safety standards of State and local building codes.

Community Development staff will assist and guide you through your development project. After all reviews and approvals are complete, you will be ready to obtain your building permits. If you are going to do the home improvements yourself, you can obtain an “Owner Builder” permit after completing the owner builder verification form. If you are not going to do the work yourself, a California Licensed Contractor can obtain the permits to begin your project.

Application/Forms/Informational Handouts

New Building Codes

Starting January 1, 2020, the new 2019 California Codes will be in effect.

The Codes consist of the Building Code, Residential Code, Electrical Code, Mechanical Code, Plumbing Code, Energy Code, and Green Building Standards Code. 

Important Announcement

Effective January 1, 2018, per AB 1379, the State of California now mandates each City assess an additional $4 per non-residential building permit for funding the State’s Certified Access Specialist (CASp) program. The purpose of this funding is to establish and publicize a program for voluntary certification by the state of any person who meets the specified criteria as a CASp regarding implementation of accessibility requirements. The bill allows the City to retain 90% of the fees collected for a “CASp Certification and Training Fund.” These funds are to be used for increased CASp training and certification within the local jurisdiction and to facilitate compliance with construction-related accessibility requirements. View Assembly Bill 1379 for more information.

Preparing and Submitting Plans

Before any grading or building construction can occur, plans must be prepared and submitted to the City and reviewed for compliance with zoning regulations, the Grading Code, and the Building Code. At this level of review, the focus is on public health and safety issues such as structural integrity, earthquake safety, fire protection and handicapped access.

Schedule a Building or Grading Inspection

During the construction phase of development, grading and building inspectors make periodic site visits to ensure that grading and building is proceeding consistent with approved plans.

Schedule a building or grading inspection with our online permitting system, or call (949) 362-4381. View the inspection schedule, which is updated daily at 9 a.m. Cancel or reschedule a same day inspection at (949) 362-4334.

Building Fees

City Council Resolution No. 91-129 establishes fees for the Building Division and increases have been made to the construction valuation and non-valuation permit fees based upon changes in the Los Angeles Construction Cost Index effective July 1, 2018. Building Fees increased 3.3%.

The residential permit fees are located here.
The nonresidential permit fees are located here. 
The development fees are located here.

Online Building Permits

In addition to inspection requests, the online eTrakit permitting system can be used to apply for the following building permits. Please allow 24 hours for processing.

• Residential Repipe Permit
• Residential Standard Water Heater Replacement Permit
• Residential Dishwasher Permit
• Residential PV (Single Family) Permit