Building Safety

1. Complete the permit application for the specified scope of work: 
   • Building Permit Application(PDF, 269KB)
   • Mechanical Permit Application(PDF, 601KB)
   • Electrical Permit Application(PDF, 247KB)
   • Plumbing Permit Application(PDF, 267KB)
2. Please be sure to provide a contact name, phone number and email address.
3. Send the completed application to building.safety@culvercity.org or fax it to (310) 253-5824.

4. Staff will process the application and you will receive an invoice of fees along with a link to our online payment portal.

5. Once the payment has been processed, the issued permit will be sent back for electronic signature and must be signed by the contractor, property owner as owner/builder or agent for the contractor or property owner. Contractors will be required to have a current Culver City business license.

Only the following building permit types may be handled electronically via email.

• Window Replacement Permitting Guidelines(PDF, 382KB)
• Block Wall Instructions
• Retaining Wall via Standard Plan (hillside exempt)
• Voluntary Seismic Retrofit per LADBS Standard Detail
• Signage (pre-approved by Planning)
• Residential

1. Send a completed Application for Building/Demo Permit(PDF, 269KB) with plans to building.safety@culvercity.org
2. Staff will process the application and you will receive an invoice of fees along with a link to our online payment portal.
3. Your plans will routed electronically to the appropriate departments.
4. Staff will notify you via email with corrections or approval.
5. If your plans are approved staff will email the issued permit for electronic signature.  Permits must be signed by the contractor, property owner as owner/builder or agent for the contractor or property owner. Contractors will be required to have a current Culver City business license.
6. Once we have received the signed permit, we will send the approved/stamped plans to you via email.

To see if you qualify for a streamlined "no fee" expedited permit click below.

If you do not qualify for an expedited Solar PV or EVSE, please follow the instructions below:

1. Send a completed Electrical Permit Application(PDF, 247KB) with a pdf of your plans to building.safety@culvercity.org
2. Staff will process the application and your plans will routed electronically to the appropriate departments.
3. Staff will notify you via email with corrections or approval.
4. If your scope of work includes scope that is not integral to your solar or EVSE work, you will receive an invoice of fees along with a link to our online payment portal.
5. If your plans are approved staff will email the issued permit for electronic signature.  Permits must be signed by the contractor, property owner as owner/builder or agent for the contractor or property owner. Contractors will be required to have a current Culver City business license.
6. Once we have received the signed permit, we will send the approved/stamped plans to you via email.

1. Complete the permit application for the specified scope of work: 
   • Building Permit Application(PDF, 269KB)
     • Wireless Facilities Supplemental to Building Permit-Application(PDF, 172KB)
   • Mechanical Permit Application(PDF, 601KB)
   • Electrical Permit Application(PDF, 247KB)
   • Plumbing Permit Application(PDF, 267KB)

2. Please be sure to provide a contact name, phone number and email address.

3. Wrap the completed application(s) around the required number of plans and drop them off at the Building Safety Division counter, City Hall, second floor, between 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday - Thursday and open Fridays.

4. Staff monitors the counter for intake.

5. Staff will process the application(s) and you will receive an email with invoice of plan check fees along with a link to our online payment portal or payment may be made in person.

6. Once the payment has been processed, you will receive and email confirmation of payment and a subsequent email verifying that your plans have been routed to the appropriate departments.

Please Note: 

• All plan checks are running approximately 15-20 business days from date of payment and routing. Large discretionary projects may be up to 30 business days.
• Notice to wireless applicants, applications submitted during non-working hours will be deemed to have been received the next business day. 
• ONCE THE REVIEW IS COMPLETE STAFF WILL NOTIFY THE APPLICANT via EMAIL

Culver City Sample Building Safety Permits and Applications

Sample ADU Building Safety Applications and Permits(PDF, 6MB)

Sample Duplex Use Building Safety Applications and Permits(PDF, 6MB)

Sample Townhouse Building Safety Applications and Permits(PDF, 6MB)

Sample Multi Family Building Safety Applications and Permits(PDF, 11MB)

Sample Mixed Use Building Safety Applications and Permits(PDF, 10MB)

1. Bring the required number of resubmittal, revision or addendum sets along with a detailed narrative of either correction responses or changes and drop in the bin labeled “Building Safety Drop Off” located outside of our offices on the 2nd floor of City Hall.  Drop off of plans is available from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday - Thursday, and open Fridays.
2. Plans and applications will sit for approximately 48-72 hours for sanitization prior to processing.
3. Staff will process the application(s) and you will receive an email verifying that your plans have been routed to the appropriate departments.

4. Some minor revision/addendums may be handled digitally. Please email building.safety@culvercity.org with a summary of the changes and a pdf copy of the existing approved plan sheet and updated sheet.

Please Note:  All plan checks are running approximately 15-20 business days from the date of payment and routing.

1. A correction list will be sent out by email only when all departments have completed their review. Please follow the directions in your email notification.
2. To pick up the plans you must email building.safety@culvercity.org, include “Request Plan Pick Up” and permit number in your subject line. Let us know what day you would like to pick up.
3. Staff will arrange for the plans to be place outside in our pick up bin labeled “Building Safety Correction Pick Up” located outside of our offices on the 2^nd floor of City Hall.  The plans will be labeled with the plan check number and property address. Pick up of plans is available from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday - Thursday and open Fridays.

1. Building Safety staff will notify you of approved plans and will send the invoice of fees with a link to our online payment portal.
2. We will require that you provide us with your contractor's name, state license number, Culver City business license, phone number and email. Contractors will be required to have a current Culver City business license.
3. Once the payment has been processed, the issued permit will be sent back for electronic signature and must be signed by the contractor, property owner as owner/builder or agent for the contractor or property owner. Contractors will be required to have a current Culver City business license.
4. Once Building Safety receives the signed permit, we will contact you to coordinate a time to pick-up the plans from the “Building Safety Issued Plan Pick-Up” bin located outside our offices on the 2nd floor of City Hall.  The plans will be labeled with the permit number and property address. Plans are available for pick up 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday - Thursday and open Fridays.

Expiration of Plan Check

An application for a permit for any proposed work is deemed abandoned 12 months after the application date. A request for an extension may grant additional time, not exceeding 90 days each, when conditions or circumstances preclude securing the permit within the allocated time. Extensions may require additional plan check and additional fees.

Expiration of Permit

Every permit issued shall become invalid unless the work on the site authorized by such permit is commenced within 12 months after its issuance, or if the work authorized on the site by such permit is suspended or abandoned for a period of 180 days after the time the work is commenced. A request for an extension may grant additional time, not exceeding 180 days each, when conditions or circumstances preclude the work from being completed. An extension of time may require conditions of approval, additional fees, and/or new permits.

Get an Extension

Request a Plan Check or Permit Extension

Culver City Municipal Code 15.02.105

Click here to view form.

Smoke Detector Requirements for Resale(PDF, 365KB)

Information Bulletin for Gas Shutoff Valve(PDF, 136KB)

Standard Block Wall Detail 6ft. or Less(PDF, 284KB)

Owner Statement and Acknowledgment of Compliance(PDF, 93KB)

May 28, 2024 the City Council passed an Ordinance for Gender Neutral Restroom Facilities in new construction. The Ordinance applies to any building permit application for new ground up construction submitted after June 27, 2024.

Exemptions

Restrooms facilities within residential units, tenant improvements, remodels, additions, and alterations.

References

Ordinance(PDF, 190KB)

Checklist(PDF, 69KB)

Examples of Layouts(PDF, 126KB)

Quantities

The minimum number of fixtures shall be the aggregate calculated at 50 percent female and 50 percent male in accordance with California Plumbing Code table 422.1. The substitution of a water closet for a urinal is permitted on a one to one basis. 

Design Standards

• Single-user and multi-user facilities are designed and identified for use by all genders.
• Signage indicates that the restroom facilities are for use by all genders.
• Restrooms facilities are located along common and open circulation path.
• The main entrance to the restroom facilities does not have a door.
• Water closets designed as single-user compartments and designated for use by no more than one occupant at a time, or for family/assisted use.
• Water closets enclosed on all sides by walls/partitions extending from up to one inch above the floor and/or from the ceiling, and with a door enclosing the fixture. 
• Lavatories located in the same compartment as a water closet or grouped in an immediately adjacent common use area accessible to all users.
• Urinals located in an area visually separated from the remainder of the facility or in an individual compartment(s).
• The door to each individual compartment containing a water closet and/or urinal has a locking mechanism controlled by the occupant. The lock shall visually indicate to outside occupants that the compartment is occupied.
• Light and ventilation is provided within each compartment and area.
• Windows or glazing used in the compartment enclosures is opaque.
• The substitution of a water closet for a urinal is permitted provided the total number of fixtures complies with the California Plumbing Code (CPC). 

Accessibility

• Facilities are to comply with the July 1, 2024 mid-cycle amendments to the 2022 California Building Code (CBC).
• Facilities are to comply with CBC, Sections 11B-213.
• Urinal compartments are to comply with CBC, Section 11B-605.5.
• Signs are to comply with CBC, Section 11B-216.8.
• Baby diaper changing stations are to comply with CBC, Section 11B-226.4.

General List of Required Building Permits(PDF, 55KB)  

Powered by the California Statewide Codes & Standards Program and vetted by the California Energy Commission Energy Code Ace has an abundance of resources to help you comply with California's Title 24, part 6 building energy code and Title 20 appliance standards.

Legacy 2019 New Residential CalGreen Checklist(PDF, 641KB)

Legacy 2019 Residential Additions and Alterations CalGreen Checklist(PDF, 600KB)

Legacy Mandatory Green Building Program(PDF, 79KB)