What is the Building Division?

- The Building Division enforces, adopts codes and other applicable laws and ordinances for construction, designs, alterations, moving, demolitions, repairs, and use of any building or structure within the City of Lynwood. The Division also performs plan check, issues building permits, and performs site inspections to ensure compliance with pertinent codes, laws, and city ordinances.

What is a permit and why do I need one?

- A permit is a granting of permission to perform regulated activity. Permits are the way the City of Lynwood regulates construction. This is designed to ensure that all construction in the city is completed in a manner consistent with applicable codes.

The safety of the occupants in buildings is the primary reason for having construction codes. Obtaining a permit is the first step in the process. In this step, you may need to create plans to submit to the Building and Safety Division for plan check. Once plans are approved, you are required to build the project according to those plans. If any changes are made to the plans, they must be made with the City’s approval. The second half of the process is the inspection and final approval of the work.

How do I get a building permit?

- After construction plans are completed, submit the plans for plan check at the Building and Safety Division at City Hall. Often, small projects can be approved over-the-counter; larger projects may require more time to allow for review by various City departments. Usually, replacement roofs, doors or windows, air conditioners or heaters can be approved over-the-counter.

How long is a permit good for?

- A building permit is valid for 180 days after it is issued. In addition, the Building Official may grant a 180 day extension. In most cases, a permit will not expire unless the applicant has failed to call for an inspection and show progress on the project for a 180 day period. Once a permit has expired, you are required to pay a renewal fee and complete the inspection process.

Can I do the work myself or do I have to hire a contractor?

You can do the work yourself, but you must follow certain regulations. Among them are the following:

Workers’ Compensation

If you will be hiring anyone, you may have to purchase Workers’ Compensation Insurance, which is available from a variety of agencies. If you won’t be hiring anyone, we’ll ask you to sign an “Owner-Builder Statement” to this effect. We can’t issue you a permit without either insurance or the complete Owner-Builder Statement.

Build to the Plans:

Be sure to follow your approved plans, whether they are drawn by an architect or designer or are standard construction requirements given to you by the City. If you change the plans while building the structure, this will cause problems when the project is inspected. If you decide to make changes, check with the City first.

When do I have to pay school fees?

- If you are building a residential addition of 500 sq. ft. or more or building any commercial project you are required to pay an additional fee to the Lynwood Unified School District.

What about inspections?

- It is your responsibility to call us for inspections at specific times during construction. You may have your contractor make the call, but it is still your responsibility as the property owner, to make sure the inspections are conducted. Inspections are conducted during certain points in the project, depending on the work that’s being performed. The project is not complete for legal purposes until it has passed the final inspection.

What is a Pre-Sale Inspection or Real Property Report?

- Prior to entering into an “Agreement of Sale” of residential property, the owner or authorized representative is required to complete and submit an application to the City of Lynwood for a Real Property Report (Pre-Sale Inspection) per LMC 11-17.3. The intent of the report is to inform the prospective buyers of any existing code violations and/or illegal additions.