LADBS Permit Cost Calculator & Plan Check Timeline (Los Angeles, 2026)

Estimate your Los Angeles Department of Building & Safety (LADBS) permit fees and plan check timeline before you submit. The calculator below uses the official LAMC 91.107 Table 1-A formula plus the 2026 surcharges most homeowners overlook. Built and maintained by NP Line Design INC (CSLB #1105249), an LA general contractor that pulls 80+ LADBS permits annually.

Permit Cost Calculator

Project type Project size (sqft) Construction valuation (USD)

Estimate only. Actual LADBS fees vary by location, hillside grading, fire-zone overlays, and Title 24 compliance review. Confirm at the official LADBS Permit Fee Calculator.

2026 LADBS Fee Schedule by Project Size

Snapshot of typical NPLD client projects. Permit fee uses LAMC 91.107 Table 1-A; plan check is 90% of permit; surcharges per LADBS 2026 Information Bulletin.

Component	$8K bath remodel	$50K kitchen	$250K ADU	$1M new home
Building permit fee	$362	$1,138	$3,925	$12,470
Plan check (90%)	$326	$1,024	$3,533	$11,223
State surcharges	$32	$200	$1,000	$4,000
School fee (LAUSD)	$0	$0	$5,318	$8,856
Issuance + records	$160	$160	$160	$320
2026 LADBS total	$880	$2,522	$13,936	$36,869

How LADBS Calculates Your Permit Fee

Establish construction valuation. LADBS uses your contractor's contract value or, if higher, the LADBS Standard Valuation Multiplier (SVM) per the 2026 Information Bulletin. Don't lowball — discrepancies trigger re-valuation and delay.
Apply LAMC 91.107 Table 1-A formula. Permit fees scale on a sliding bracket: $266 base for projects ≤$2,000, then incremental fees for each $1,000 above. A $250K ADU lands at roughly $3,925.
Add plan check fee. 90% of the building permit fee. Refundable only if no plan check work has begun.
Add state + green surcharges. CA SB 1473 ($4 per $100K valuation) + CA Green Building ($4 per $100K) + LADBS records management ($160).
Add LAUSD school fee on additions ≥500 sqft and new construction. Currently $4.79/sqft residential, $0.78/sqft commercial.
Add hillside / fire-zone overlays if applicable. Hillside grading adds 25-40% to plan check; Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone adds defensible-space and Class A roofing review.

Plan Check Timeline (2026)

As of 2026-05-05, current LADBS plan check turnaround:

Express Permit (water heater, re-roof, HVAC swap, electric service ≤200A): same-day to 3 business days.
Standard Plan Check (kitchen, bath, ADU under 750 sqft): 4–8 weeks first review, 2–3 weeks per correction cycle.
Hillside / new SFR / addition >750 sqft: 8–14 weeks first review, plus 2 correction cycles is typical (~4 months total).
Commercial / mixed-use: 12–20 weeks; PWS Coordination Office adds another 4–6 weeks for over-the-counter approvals.

For real-time LADBS processing benchmarks, see our LADBS Permit Processing Time Tracker (updated weekly).

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a kitchen remodel permit in Los Angeles?

A typical $50,000 kitchen remodel permit costs $800–$2,500 in 2026 LADBS fees — $1,138 building permit + $1,024 plan check + ~$360 surcharges/issuance. Cost rises with structural work (load-bearing wall changes), gas-line relocation, or panel upgrades requiring separate electrical and plumbing permits.

How much does an ADU permit cost in LA?

A 750-sqft attached ADU at $200K valuation runs $3,000–$8,000 in total LADBS fees. CA SB 9 and AB 68 waive school district fees on ADUs under 750 sqft, which alone saves $3,500. Detached ADUs above 750 sqft trigger LAUSD fees ($4.79/sqft) plus 25-40% hillside overlay if applicable.

What is the LADBS plan check fee?

The plan check fee is 90% of the building permit fee (LAMC 91.107.6). On a $250K ADU with a $3,925 permit fee, plan check adds $3,533. The fee is partially refundable only if you withdraw before LADBS opens the plan-check work order.

Are LADBS permit fees refundable?

Plan check fees are partially refundable before plan check work starts (typically 80% within 30 days of payment, dropping after). Building permit fees are non-refundable once issued. Records management ($160) and state surcharges are non-refundable.

What is the cheapest way to permit a small remodel?

For projects ≤$15,000 valuation that don't touch structural, electrical service, or gas lines, use LADBS Express Permits: same-day issuance, no plan check fee, ~$266–$500 total. Examples: like-for-like fixture swaps, water heaters, panel upgrades ≤200A, re-roofing.

Need a real LADBS permit pulled, not just an estimate?

NP Line Design pulls 80+ LADBS permits annually across kitchens, ADUs, additions, and full home renovations. Free 30-minute consultation — we'll review your scope, walk the LADBS pathway, and price it transparently.

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