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General Information

WHEN IS A PERMIT REQUIRED

PLAN SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS

California Building Standards Code Update

The City of Hermosa Beach has adopted the 2025 California Building Standards Codes, effective January 1, 2026.

A project vests to the building code edition in effect at the time a complete building permit application and building plan submittal are received. Planning approvals do not establish building code vesting.

To vest under the current code, a complete building permit application and building plan submittal must be received by Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at 11 a.m. Completeness requires all required plans and supporting documents, fully completed permit forms, and full payment of building plan review fees. Applications not complete by this deadline will be reviewed under the 2025 codes.

Please view the Building Code Vesting Criteria for more Information.

FEES AND PAYMENT PROCESSING

You Can Now Make Payments Online!

Applicants may now pay Planning, Building and Safety, and Public Works invoices online through the Hermosa Permit Center.

Online payment is the quickest way to pay City permit and application fees. Once payment is received, City staff will be notified automatically. Please allow 2 to 3 business days for staff to process the payment and complete the next steps.

For step-by-step payment instructions, please review the Paying CDD Fees link:

Paying CDD Fees

The City of Hermosa Beach Updated Fees Effective 7/1/2026

APPLICANT HANDOUT - BUILDING PERMIT FEE CHANGES EFFECTIVE 7-1-2026

CONDENSED DEVELOPMENT FEE SCHEDULE (DEVELOPMENT FEES ONLY)

Master Fee Schedule Effective 7/1/2026 (CITY WIDE FEES)

IMPACT FEES:

School Facility Fees

Sewer Connection Fee (L. A. County)

SEARCH RECORDS

2025 CODE ADOPTION IMPLEMENTATION/2022 CODE DEADLINE

California Building Standards Code Update

The City of Hermosa Beach has adopted the 2025 California Building Standards Codes, effective January 1, 2026.

Please view the Building Code Vesting Criteria for more Information.

Building and Safety

RESIDENTIAL BUILDING REPORT (RBR)

Residential Building Report Update

Please be advised that on December 9, 2025, the Hermosa Beach City Council adopted an ordinance modifying the Residential Building Report requirement.

Effective January 1, 2026, Residential Building Reports will become optional.

For residential properties entering into an agreement for sale or exchange prior to January 1, 2026, a Residential Building Report is still required at the time of entering into the agreement of sale or exchange.

For residential properties entering into an agreement for sale or exchange on or after January 1, 2026, a Residential Building Report is not required unless requested by the property owner.

If you have questions about how this change applies to your property or transaction, please contact the Building Division (310) 318-0235.

Applications that have already been submitted and have had the payment processed, will not be eligible to receive any refunds or cancellations.

To refence the Hermosa Beach Municipal Code Sections that relate to this program please review these links:

Residential Building Report Application

TO REFERENCE THE HERMOSA BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE SECTIONS - PLEASE REVIEW THESE LINKS:

Current HBMC PRP Program until 12-31-2025

Updated HBMC RBR Program Effective 1-1-2026

SOLAR STREAMLINE APPLICATIONS

WINDOW REPLACEMENTS

FENCES/BLOCK WALLS

SIESMIC RETROFITS

ABATEMENT PERMITS

Abatement Permits: This permit category is for projects that include the removal or disturbance of potentially hazardous materials, such as asbestos, lead, mold, etc.
- Asbestos: The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Rule 1403 requires that an asbestos survey be completed to identify any Asbestos-Containing Material (ACM), prior to the commencement of any renovation where 100 sq. ft. or more are being removed or disturbed. This requirement applies to all projects constructed prior to 1980.
  - Was the subject property constructed prior to 1980 and does the scope of work include the removal or disturbance of 100 sq. ft. of surface area? If yes, one of the following must be completed prior to permit issuance.
  - An asbestos survey is required to be submitted to the City that reflect that ACM does not pose any risk, or,
  - An abatement permit must be acquired prior to the commencement of the abatement work.
  - Building Permit Application

BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATIONS

Permit Applications:
- Building Permit Application
- Mechanical Permit Application
- Electrical Permit Application
- Plumbing Permit Application
- COMBINED APPLICATION:
- Permit Application Building, Mechanical, Electrical, & Plumbing. This form can only be used when one contractor/owner is acquiring all of the associated permits.

Declarations:
- Licensed Contractor Declaration
- Owner Builder Declaration
  - Owner Builder Pamphlet

LA COUNTY FIRE SUBMITTALS

DEMOLITION PERMITS

WASTE RECYCLING REQUIREMENTS

LANDSCAPING REQUIREMENTS

OPTIONAL SELF CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

OPTIONAL SELF CERTIFICATION PROGRAM FOR LOW IMPACT INTERIOR TENANT IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Overview

The City of Hermosa Beach offers an Optional Self Certification Program for a limited category of low impact interior tenant improvement projects. The program is intended to reduce permit processing time while maintaining public health and safety through professional accountability. A California licensed architect or engineer of record may certify that a qualifying project complies with applicable building codes and local requirements. In reliance on that certification, the City may issue a building permit without performing a full building plan check for the certified scope of work. Standard inspections and all other applicable clearances still apply.

Eligible project types

Interior restaurant tenant improvements.
Interior retail tenant improvements.

Key eligibility requirements

To qualify, all eligibility questions on the Project Eligibility Checklist must be answered YES. Projects are not eligible if they include any of the following, among other limitations: new or modified restrooms, new or relocated plumbing fixtures, structural work, changes to fire life safety systems, changes to mechanical systems, changes to occupancy classification or occupant load, changes to exits or egress components, exterior work, work in the public right of way, hazardous materials, or projects requiring discretionary Planning approvals or land use entitlements. The Building Official has final authority to determine eligibility.

Design professional requirements

Plans must be prepared by, or reviewed and sealed by, a California licensed architect or engineer who meets the program eligibility requirements, including at least five years of licensure, good standing, and professional liability errors and omissions insurance with limits of not less than two million dollars per occurrence and two million dollars in the aggregate. The design professional must execute required certification documents. The property owner must execute a Hold Harmless Agreement.

How to apply

Review the Program Guidelines and confirm the scope qualifies.
Complete the Project Eligibility Checklist. All answers must be YES.
Complete the Self Certified Design Professional Eligibility Checklist. All answers must be YES.
Prepare a complete building permit submittal package, including stamped plans and required forms. Notarization is required for certain forms.
Submit the application and fees through the City submittal process. The City will perform an administrative completeness review.

Important

Participation is optional. If any eligibility item is answered NO, the project must be submitted through the standard plan review process. The City may audit self certified projects at any time. If an audit identifies noncompliance, the applicant and design professional must correct the plans and work as directed and additional fees may apply.

Program documents and links