The Building and Safety Division regulates construction and occupancy of all residential, commercial and industrial buildings in order to ensure life, fire and health safety. The Building and Safety Division performs plan check of all proposed construction projects which includes additions and alterations to existing buildings, prior to issuance of building permits. Field inspections are performed on all new construction, additions, alterations and demolitions for compliance with all structural, fire, energy and life safety requirements. 

The responsibilities of the Division also include providing the general public with basic construction information, seismic safety information, calculating of fees, and issuing building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical and demolition permits. 

Citywide Construction Hours:

Residents, businesses and visitors to our city value a calm, peaceful environment, so we have created times when construction is allowed: 

• Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• Saturday - 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday or National Holidays - Construction work is not allowed on these days.

City Adopted Codes:

• 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.  READ MORE BY CLICKING HERE.

• The City does contract Fire Services through LA County Fire and has adopted the Los Angeles County Title 32, Fire Code.  To inquire on their requirements, please contact them directly by CLICKING HERE.

Unique City Requirements:

The local high-water table can cause basement flooding.

Geotechnical Reports are required.

The City requires applicants to submit a geotechnical report before starting construction. This is especially important since Hermosa Beach has areas where the groundwater table ranges from six to 15 feet below ground and there are several subterranean streams running from inland groundwater sources to the Pacific Ocean.  Digging a basement in the coastal zone can breach the ground water table, causing basement flooding.  Water pumps can be used but the risk of saltwater contaminating fresh ground water remains.