The Best Way to Apply for Pasadena Building Permits

You may be excited about starting your new home renovations right away, but are you covered legally? Many citizens don't know that you need to obtain a Pasadena building permit before starting major home improvement projects.

The average homeowner also doesn't know how to get a building permit. The application process can be confusing, and not all California counties have the same rules. If you can't figure it out on your own, leave it to DoNotPay.

What Projects Require a Building Permit in Pasadena?

In Pasadena, you're required by law to have a building permit for the following:

• Retaining walls
• New A/C systems
• New windows
• New stairs or steps
• Exterior lighting
• Water heater installation
• Re-roofing
• Rooftop solar panels
• Insulation
• Swimming pool installation
• New plumbing fixtures
• New garage

Even if you own the building in question, permits exist to keep your residence compliant with California's safety codes. Performing illegal construction doesn't just put the structure in danger: what if workers or other civilians get injured during the process?

If either you or the contractor fails to get a building permit, you'll be subjected to a penalty of $5,000. Considering that a building permit only costs around $1,200 before fees, it's better to be safe than sorry!

Materials Needed to Apply for a Pasadena Building Permit

The City of Pasadena provides a few different applications for building permits. You'll need to select the one that best represents your project.

Additionally, contractors are required to have worker's compensation insurance and a valid state license before beginning construction. If you don't have a contractor but choose to hire unlicensed workers, you are responsible for providing worker's compensation.

Any installation of bigger structures or new rooms to the building usually requires a plan review. That's when an examiner at the building department checks your plans for any safety code issues.

Typical Fees Associated With a Pasadena Building Permit

If your project requires a plan check beforehand, that costs a minimum of $78.60. If the fire department also has to inspect the plan, that's an additional $35.

How to Get a Pasadena Building Permit on Your Own

If you suspect that your project needs a building permit, you'll need to follow these steps:

1. Draw up detailed plans for your renovation and outline your proposed construction process. If the project is not for a residential home, it will need a stamp from a licensed architect.
2. Include these plans with the completed building permit application that best fits your renovations.
3. With these documents, visit the Pasadena Development Department Permit Center at 175 North Garfield Ave.
4. Take your plans to the right counter and submit them along with the initial permit.
5. If the project is simple enough to not require a plan review, it will be processed over the counter. Plans that need additional review will take as long as four weeks to process.
6. If approved, you'll be notified by email or phone and be charged any extra fees. After that, you're free to start your project.

However, even just glancing at one of these forms can give you a major headache. Not only are they several pages long, but they can be difficult to fill out by yourself.

It can also be challenging to decide which form is right for your project. You might spend an hour or two filling one out, only to have the receptionist tell you that you have the wrong application.

Sometimes, the plans are not complete enough to pass the initial review. It takes an average of three submissions for your building permit to be approved by an examiner. Wouldn't you rather get it done right the first time with the help of DoNotPay?

The DoNotPay Process of Securing a Pasadena Building Permit

Even seemingly simple home improvement projects can turn dangerous, which is why building permits are essential. However, it can feel like they're inaccessible behind a mountain of paperwork. That's where DoNotPay comes in!

If you want to get a Pasadena building permit quickly but don't know where to start, DoNotPay has you covered. Create your own application in 6 easy steps:

1. Go to the Planning Permissions product on DoNotPay.
2. Choose one of the following options:
   1. Check whether your project needs a building permit or if it's exempt
   2. Generate a permission request letter to send to your HOA
   3. Generate a guide on how to complete the building permit application
3. Choose the focus of your project (new ADU, pool, shed, fence, etc.) and answer a few questions about your plans, including the size of the structure and estimated cost.

   

4. Indicate whether you're hiring a contractor and include the estimated start date and timeline for the project.
5. Indicate whether any public sidewalk/street space will be used during construction.
6. And that's it! DoNotPay will help guide you through the building permit process by checking if your project needs a building permit, contacting any HOAs you're a part of to request building permission, or generating detailed instructions on how to start and complete your building permit application process.

DoNotPay is any contractor or homeowner's first choice because it's:

DoNotPay Handles Building Permits Nationwide

We can help homeowners and contractors complete their projects anywhere in the country, including:

• Palm Beach County
• Sarasota County
• Any Chicago county

Every Project Is Easier With a DoNotPay Product

Navigating convoluted forms is a thing of the past with DoNotPay. We handle notarization requests, legal documents, trademark registration, and so much more!