Fees
Estimated city fees
Baseline for a simple permitted shed: $250–$650 estimated city fees (plan check + permit) for a permitted shed in Los Angeles; sheds 120 sq ft and under with no utility work are generally building-permit-exempt under CRC R105.2, but LA zoning compliance still required
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| LADBS plan check fee (sheds over 120 sq ft) | $150–$400 (estimated) | LADBS fees are based on project valuation. A simple shed in the 120–400 sq ft range typically falls in this window. Larger or more complex sheds cost more. Verify at ladbs.org/permit-fee-calculator. |
| Building permit / issuance fee | $100–$250 (estimated) | Paid after plan check approval. Combined plan check and permit fee for a typical permitted shed runs $250–$650. |
| Electrical / plumbing / mechanical trade permits | $75–$250 each (estimated) | Each utility trade in a shed triggers a separate permit and inspection, even when the shed itself is small enough to be building-permit-exempt. |
| SMIP surcharge | 0.013% of permit valuation | California Strong Motion Instrumentation Program surcharge applies to all California building permits. |
Documents
Required documents
- LADBS building permit application submitted through the LADBS online portal at ladbs.org/permits for any shed exceeding the 120 sq ft exemption or requiring structural review.
- Scaled site plan showing property lines, easements, existing structures, and the proposed shed location, footprint, and dimensions.
- Floor plan and elevations showing shed dimensions, wall heights, roof pitch, door and window openings, and general use.
- Foundation details appropriate to the shed size and site conditions — slab, concrete piers, or wood runners depending on soil conditions and seismic zone.
- Structural drawings or calculations for sheds over 120 sq ft, including seismic load path compliance under CBC SDC D requirements.
- Soils or geotechnical report for hillside lots, landslide-prone parcels, or sites in an LADBS Geological Hazard Zone.
- Manufacturer's installation instructions and specifications for prefabricated shed kits when applicable.
- Certificate of Appropriateness from the Office of Historic Resources if the shed is visible from a public right-of-way on an HPOZ parcel.
- Trade drawings and load schedules for electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work if utilities are being added to the shed.
Timeline
Typical timing
- Plan review
- 10–20 business days (standard); potentially same-day OTC for simple shed projects
- Total cycle
- 3–6 weeks from application to final inspection for permitted sheds
Hillside projects, geotechnical review, HPOZ review, and CBC SDC D structural corrections extend the timeline. Sheds within the 120 sq ft exemption can proceed after confirming zoning setbacks with no LADBS plan review delay.
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Process
How the permit process works
- Apply the 120-square-foot CRC exemption as the first filter Under CRC Section R105.2, a one-story storage or tool shed at 120 square feet or less is generally exempt from the LADBS building permit requirement. Larger sheds, multi-story structures, and sheds with utility work are in the permit path. Even exempt-sized sheds must comply with LA zoning setbacks and lot coverage limits.
- Check zoning placement in ZIMAS before buying or building Use LADBS ZIMAS at zimas.lacity.org to confirm the zoning district, overlay designations, and any special conditions (hillside, fault zone, liquefaction, HPOZ). LAMC Section 12.21 A.7 setback and coverage rules vary by zone — verify the shed placement will be compliant before ordering a prefab unit or pouring a foundation.
- Identify utility scope and trade permit needs Decide whether the shed will have electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work. Each utility trade requires a separate LADBS permit and inspection regardless of shed size. Plan for trade permits even when the shed itself is exempt from the building permit.
- Prepare plans and foundation details for permitted sheds For sheds over 120 sq ft, prepare a site plan, floor plan, elevations, and foundation details. Seismic SDC D requirements apply — the foundation design and structural connections must address lateral loads. Prefab sheds should include manufacturer installation documents. Hillside sites may need a soils report.
- Submit through the LADBS portal or at a District Office Apply at ladbs.org/permits. Simple shed projects may qualify for over-the-counter approval at an LADBS District Office. Standard applications are reviewed through the electronic plan check queue.
- Clear plan check corrections and pay fees LADBS plan checkers review setbacks, structural and seismic design, and trade coordination. Respond to Plan Check Correction (PCC) letters and resubmit revised plans. After approval, pay the permit and issuance fees.
- Build and complete required inspections Keep the permit accessible on site and schedule inspections through the LADBS inspection system at ladbs.org. Typical shed permit inspections include foundation/footing, framing, and final. Utility trade inspections are scheduled separately.
Code basis
What Los Angeles reviews against
California Residential Code (CRC) Section R105.2 (work exempt from permit — one-story detached accessory structures not exceeding 120 sq ft) as adopted under LAMC Title 91; LAMC Section 12.21 A.7 (accessory structures in residential zones — setbacks, height, lot coverage); 2022 California Building Code (CBC) Title 24 for structural and seismic requirements (Seismic Design Category D) for permitted sheds.
If you skip the permit
What can go wrong
- LADBS can issue a stop-work order (red-tag) if a shed that needed a permit is built without one.
- A shed placed in a required setback or over an easement can be ordered removed at the owner's expense regardless of whether a permit was obtained.
- After-the-fact LADBS review can require opening walls or exposing the foundation to verify structural and seismic compliance.
- Unpermitted electrical work in or to a shed creates fire and shock hazards that go unverified without LADBS trade inspections.
- HPOZ violations trigger historic preservation enforcement separate from building-code issues.
- California real estate law requires disclosure of unpermitted improvements — an unpermitted shed larger than the exemption threshold must be disclosed in a sale.
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Contextual Amazon-style tools and materials block for shed projects.
FAQ
Common Los Angeles shed permit questions
Do I need a permit to build a shed in Los Angeles, CA?
Usually not if the shed is 120 square feet or less. Under California Residential Code Section R105.2, a one-story detached storage or tool shed with a floor area not exceeding 120 square feet is generally exempt from the LADBS building permit requirement. Larger sheds, multi-story structures, and sheds with utility work require a permit.
What is the largest shed I can build without a permit in LA?
The California state exemption threshold is 120 square feet for a one-story detached accessory structure. That limit applies in Los Angeles under LAMC Title 91. Remember that the building-permit exemption does not mean zoning-exempt — LA zoning setbacks and lot coverage rules under LAMC 12.21 A.7 still apply to any accessory structure, even exempt-sized sheds.
Does LA's seismic zone affect shed permitting?
Yes. Los Angeles is in Seismic Design Category D. For sheds that require a building permit, structural drawings must address seismic lateral loads. Small exempt-sized sheds are not typically subject to plan check, but any permitted shed must have a foundation and framing designed for SDC D.
Does my LA hillside lot affect shed permitting?
Yes. Hillside properties and parcels in LADBS Geological Hazard Zones may require a grading permit or geotechnical soils report before placing a shed, even a small exempt-sized one, depending on slope, soil conditions, and foundation type. Check your property's hazard zone status in ZIMAS at zimas.lacity.org before siting the shed.
Does adding electricity to my LA shed require a permit?
Yes. Adding wiring, outlets, lighting, or a subpanel to a shed requires a separate LADBS electrical permit and inspection, even when the shed itself is 120 square feet or under and otherwise exempt from the building permit requirement.
How much does an LA shed permit cost?
For a shed that requires LADBS review, expect roughly $250–$650 in combined plan check and permit fees depending on size and scope. Sheds within the 120 sq ft exemption with no utility work incur no building permit fee. Use the LADBS fee calculator at ladbs.org/permit-fee-calculator for a project-specific estimate.
Sources
Official links and freshness
- https://ladbs.org/permits
- https://ladbs.org/permit-fee-calculator
- https://www.lacity.org/government/popular-information/municipal-code
- https://zimas.lacity.org/
- https://planning.lacity.gov/zoning/codes-investigations
- https://planning.lacity.gov/historic-preservation/overlay-zones
- https://www.dgs.ca.gov/BSC/Codes
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Disclaimer: This page is informational, not legal advice. Permit rules, fees, and processes change. Verify your project with Los Angeles permitting staff before building.