How do I schedule an appointment for a building inspection?

To schedule an appointment for a building inspection, please call (310) 217-9530. Any request for an inspection must be made 24 hours in advance. Inspections are available in the morning and afternoon. A morning inspection will occur between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon. An afternoon inspection will occur between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. For additional information, please click here to visit the City’s website.

Do I need an appointment for planning and building assistance?

Community Development Department staff are available to assist customers on a first come, first served basis from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Fridays to issue permits, view files and answer simple questions. To schedule an appointment with the building official, please call (310) 217-9530. For additional information and applications, please click here to visit the City’s website. The Community Development Department is located in Room 101 at City Hall, 1700 West 162nd Street in Gardena.

As a property owner, what is my responsibility for maintaining my property?

As a property owner or tenant, it is your responsibility to maintain your property or leasehold to include the building, and public rights-of-way abutting the property, such as the sidewalk and parkway. The property shall be maintained in compliance with all City building and zoning regulations, and free of public nuisances such as: weeds, trash, graffiti, illegal signage, and outside storage. Your commitment to maintain your property helps to maintain property values and promote continuing business vitality in your community. For additional information on what constitutes a public nuisance or code violation, click here to visit the City’s website or contact the Gardena Code Enforcement Division at (310) 217-6171 for assistance.

Do I need a permit to install a sign on my business?

Yes, permits are required for all signs and banners including temporary signs. Sign permits are issued by the Community Development Department after confirming that they meet City sign regulations as to size, number, location and height, contained in Chapter 18.58 of the Gardena Municipal Code. Contact Community Development and speak with a planner before installing, altering or moving a new or existing sign. Permit applications are available on the City’s website by clicking here. The Community Development Department is located in Room 101 at City Hall, 1700 West 162nd Street in Gardena. To speak with a staff member please call (310) 217-9530.

Do I need a permit for a burglar alarm?

Any residence or business with an alarm system must have an alarm permit on file with the City. A late fee will be imposed for any permit not obtained within 60 days of installation. If an alarm falsely activates more than four times in a calendar year, the owner or manager of the residence or business will receive a citation and be required to pay a fee that escalates. At the end of each calendar year the previous years’ false alarm history is discarded and the new year starts with a clean alarm history. Alarm system permit applications are available on the City’s and can be accessed by clicking here. Alarm System Processing responsibility was transferred to the Police Department. If you need assistance or require additional information you may call (424) 254-7520.

Do I need a permit to landscape my property?

No, a permit is not required to landscape. However, the City has adopted a water efficient landscape ordinance to promote water conservation and landscape irrigation systems DO REQUIRE a permit. Therefore, it is best to speak with a planner in the Community Development Department before making changes to landscaping or landscaped areas to make sure that what you are doing is not contrary to City requirements. In addition, non-residential landscaping is required to have an automatic irrigation system. A business license is required of any person in the city who conducts a business to install or maintain landscaping. For additional information call the Community Development Department at (310) 217-9530. The Community Development is located in Room 101 at City Hall, 1700 West 162nd Street in Gardena or you may click here to visit the City’s website. Office hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday and Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

How can I find out if a construction permit has been issued for a specific project or location?

To determine if a permit has been issued for a construction project located in Gardena, click here to visit the City’s website or call the Community Development Department at (310) 217-9530. You will need to identify the site address and a unit number, if applicable. The Community Development Department is located in Room 101 at City Hall, 1700 West 162nd Street in Gardena. Office hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Does the City have copies of plans for my property?

Multi-family residential, commercial and industrial building plans permitted by the City may be available on microfiche for single family and two unit residential buildings. Microfiche records can be viewed from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the Community Development Department located in Room 101at City Hall, 1700 West 162nd Street in Gardena. Copies of plans require written release and authorization from the designer of record and the current property owner, pursuant to State laws (fees may be applicable).
For more information, click here to visit the City’s website or contact the Community Development Department at (310) 217-9530. Office hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday – Thursday, and 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Fridays.

How long will it take to get my plans approved?

It generally takes approximately 3 to 4 weeks to receive the first corrections or approved plans, depending upon the plan check workload of the agencies involved in the process. Plans are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. The purpose of the plan check process is to make sure that your investment will be consistent with standards and regulations before construction is started. Most plans must be reviewed by Building, Planning, Public Works Engineering, L.A. County Fire Department, and the Los Angeles Unified School District. Depending upon the specific project, Los Angeles County Industrial Waste, Los Angeles County Health Department, and the Los Angeles County Sanitation District will have to approve the plans before the City does. For permit applications, visit the City’s website. For additional information, please call (310) 217-9530 or visit the Community Development Department located in Room 101 at City Hall, 1700 West 162nd Street in Gardena. Office hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday – Thursday, and 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Fridays.

Do I need to put a smoke detector in every room of my home and how often do I need to change the batteries?

Minimum protection requires a smoke detector outside every sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement. On floors without bedrooms, detectors should be installed in or near living room areas such as dens, living rooms, or family rooms. Smoke detector batteries should be changed every year. However, the Fire Department recommends changing the batteries when the local time changes. “Change your Clock, Change your Batteries.”

Can I get an over-the-counter review of my building plans?

Over-the-counter plan review is available for properly documented fence, trash enclosure, wall signs and some other minor projects which both 1) do not require other department or agency approvals and 2) provide enough detail on the plans to make the determination that the plan does conform to zoning and building codes 3) availability of a plan checker. The Community Development Department is located in City Hall, Room 101, at 1700 West 162nd Street in Gardena. Permits are issued from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday, on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information click here to visit the City’s website or call (310) 217-9530.

Do I need to hire an engineer, architect or surveyor?

Except for single story residential buildings, which are designed in full compliance with conventional light-frame construction methods as delineated a California licensed engineer or architect shall be hired to design new buildings, remodels or renovations. They will prepare plans, calculations and provide structural justification, and technical reports. All support documents and plans, such as grading and soil reports, state energy calculations, etc., must be prepared by an appropriate state licensed professional. Electrical systems for services 600 amps or more are required to be prepared by a state licensed electrical engineer. For additional information, click here to visit the City’s website or contact the Community Development Department Building Division at (310) 217-9530.

How long are building permits valid?

Permits are valid as long as there is substantial progress being made toward completion. If substantial progress has not been made after 6 months, the permit shall become null and void. Once expired, the permit must be renewed to continue construction. For more information or permit applications, click here to visit the City’s website or visit the Community Development Department located in Room 101 at City Hall, 1700 West 162nd Street in Gardena. The telephone number is (310) 217-9530 or send an e-mail to commdev@cityofgardena.org.

Can I get building related permits by mail or online?

Permits are not available by mail or through the Internet at this time. However, most application forms are available on the City’s website or you may click here. For more information, please call the Community Development Department at (310) 217-9530. The Community Development Department is located in Room 101 at City Hall, 1700 West 162nd Street in Gardena.

How long does it take to obtain a building permit?

Properly licensed contractors or qualified owner-builders may obtain a building permit for approved plans between 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday – Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday. Permit application forms are available on the City’s website. For additional information, please contact the Community Development Department at (310) 217-9530. The department is located in Room 101 at City Hall, 1700 West 162nd Street in Gardena.