Do I need a permit for interior paint and drywall repair?

Interior paint alone is exempt from permitting. Drywall repair (patching, re-taping) is exempt if it's cosmetic. However, if you're replacing drywall that involves moving electrical outlets, switches, or fixtures, you'll need an electrical subpermit filed by a licensed electrician. If you're removing or moving a non-structural wall, you'll need a building permit and structural sign-off. When in doubt, phone the Beverly Hills Building Department for a 5-minute clarification.

Do I need architectural review for my deck?

Yes, in nearly all Beverly Hills neighborhoods. Even if the deck is within code setbacks and height limits, the Architectural Commission or local Design Review Board will review the visual impact, materials, and finishes. This adds 4–8 weeks before you can pull a building permit. Submit your architectural application first; once you get design clearance, then file the building permit. The building department will not issue a permit without the architectural sign-off letter.

My house is on a hillside. Do I need a geotechnical report for a pool or deck?

Very likely. Beverly Hills requires a soils/geotechnical report for any significant work on a slope — including pools, decks, retaining walls, and foundations. The report determines footing depth, setback distance from slope edges, and confirms that the soil can safely bear the proposed structure. Plan 4–6 weeks for the report and 2–3 weeks for the building department to review it. Cost: $2,000–$8,000 depending on site complexity. Without this report, the department will not issue a permit.

Can I do electrical or plumbing work myself?

No. California Business & Professions Code Section 7044 allows owner-builders to do structural and non-utility work, but electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and gas work must be performed by licensed contractors. You can pull a building permit as an owner-builder for framing, additions, and exterior work, but you must hire a licensed electrician or plumber to file the electrical or plumbing subpermits. The licensed contractor's name and license number appear on the subpermit.

How long does a building permit take from application to approval?

Standard residential projects (kitchen remodel, small addition, electrical upgrade) take 2–4 weeks for plan review. Complex projects (large additions, ADUs, hillside grading) take 6–10 weeks. Architectural review, if required, runs in parallel and adds another 4–8 weeks before you even reach the building department. Once you receive the permit, you can begin work, but you'll be subject to inspections at framing, mechanical, and final stages. Plan for 6–12 months total from design to final inspection on a significant project.

What if my property is in a High Fire Hazard Severity Zone?

Any new construction or major renovation in an HFHSZ must meet California Building Code Appendix D (Fire/Wildfire-Resistant Materials). This includes Class A roof materials, Fire-Resistive siding, metal gutters, and boxed-in eaves. Decks must use metal fascia and metal joist hangers. Interior wall assemblies are exempt, but any exterior upgrade will be flagged. The inspector will verify compliance at final walk-through. If you're uncertain whether your property is in an HFHSZ, check Cal Fire's Hazard Severity Zone map online, or ask the Beverly Hills Building Department.

Do I need to update my HVAC or water heater to Title 24 standards?

If you're replacing an HVAC system or water heater, the new unit must meet current Title 24 efficiency standards. Ductwork must be tested and sealed if you're replacing or upgrading the system. This is verified at the mechanical inspection before final permit sign-off. If you're leaving the existing system in place and just repairing it, Title 24 does not force an upgrade — but any new installation must comply. Budget an extra 2–3 weeks for mechanical plan review if you're upgrading HVAC or water heating.

What's the minimum permit fee?

Beverly Hills sets a $185 minimum permit fee. Projects valued under $15,000 typically stay near the minimum. Larger projects are assessed at 1.2–1.8% of estimated valuation. A $100,000 addition would generate a permit fee of $1,200–$1,800. The building department calculates the fee based on the cost estimate you provide in your application; if the actual cost exceeds the estimate, you may owe additional fees.

Can I get an ADU in Beverly Hills?

Yes. California law allows ADUs by right in residential zones, and Beverly Hills permits them. However, Beverly Hills enforces design-review requirements (architectural approval), parking minimums (usually one space), and setback rules for the ADU. Detached ADUs have more flexibility than attached or internal ADUs. Plan for 6–10 weeks of combined architectural and building permit review. ADUs on hillsides may also need geotechnical review. Check the Beverly Hills municipal code for specific ADU parking and design standards, or call the Building Department for a preliminary consultation.

Building Permits in Beverly Hills, CA (2026)

Do I need a permit in Beverly Hills, CA?

Beverly Hills adopted the 2022 California Building Code (Title 24), which means you're working under stricter energy, seismic, and fire standards than many California cities — especially important given Beverly Hills' hillside terrain, older housing stock, and wildfire proximity. The Beverly Hills Building Department is the gatekeeper for all projects: residential additions, electrical work, plumbing, grading, pools, accessory dwelling units, even fence upgrades above certain heights. Most residential work requires a permit. The main exceptions are minor repairs (re-roofing with like-for-like materials, cabinet replacement, interior paint) and some small exterior work under specific thresholds. Permit fees run 1.2–1.8% of estimated project valuation, with a $185 minimum. Plan review typically takes 2–4 weeks for standard residential projects; complex hillside or seismic-retrofit work can stretch to 6–8 weeks. Beverly Hills requires owner-builder permits per California Business & Professions Code Section 7044, but you cannot pull a permit for electrical, plumbing, mechanical, or gas work — those trades must be licensed contractors. The city also enforces strict architectural review for exterior work in most residential neighborhoods, adding a layer of design approval before you even reach the building department.

What's specific to Beverly Hills permits

Beverly Hills is one of California's most permit-intensive cities, partly because of its hillside geography and seismic hazard, partly because of its architectural-control overlay districts. Nearly every residential neighborhood in Beverly Hills is subject to design review by the Architectural Commission or a Design Review Board. This means you may need two approvals: architectural sign-off, then building permit. The process adds 4–8 weeks to most exterior projects — additions, new fences, roof material changes, window replacement, even deck additions. The architectural review is not optional; the building department will not issue a permit without the design-clearance letter.

Hillside grading and foundation work carry extra scrutiny. Beverly Hills' canyons and slopes sit in seismic zones 2D–3 (per the current California Seismic Hazards Mapping), and many parcels require a geotechnical report before any significant excavation, retaining wall, or foundation work can proceed. Even a new deck or spa on a slope may trigger a requirement for a soils report. The city requires this upfront, before plan review, so budget for a geotechnical consultant if your lot is on a slope — costs run $2,000–$8,000 depending on the site complexity.

Beverly Hills enforces California's Title 24 energy code more stringably than some neighboring jurisdictions. Any alteration to the building envelope — new windows, insulation, HVAC replacement, water heater swap — must meet current Title 24 standards. This can add cost (e.g., high-performance windows, duct sealing for air conditioning) but the inspector will verify compliance at final. Pools, spas, and outdoor amenities also require Title 24 compliance for pump efficiency and heating systems.

The building department maintains an online permit portal (check the City of Beverly Hills website for the current link), but many applicants still find it faster to walk into the office with hardcopy plans and a preliminary application. Over-the-counter permits (small roofing, railing repair, electrical outlets) can sometimes be approved same-day if plans are clear and no architectural review is needed. Complex projects require a licensed plan-check engineer or architect to stamp the construction documents before submission.

Fire safety overlays are common near wildland-urban interface zones. If your property is in a High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (HFHSZ), any new construction or major renovation must meet Appendix D (Fire/Wildfire-Resistant Materials) of the 2022 California Building Code. This includes Class A roof materials, Fire-Resistive exterior walls, and defensible-space requirements. Permitted work in an HFHSZ will be flagged automatically; the inspector will verify compliance before final sign-off.

Most common Beverly Hills permit projects

The Beverly Hills Building Department processes hundreds of permits annually. Here are the projects that dominate the intake: residential additions (including second-story work), ADUs, kitchen and bathroom remodels, electrical upgrades, plumbing work, pools and spas, roof replacements, window and door replacement, deck construction, and hillside grading. Each has its own threshold, fee schedule, and review timeline. Click any project below to see the specific permit requirements, typical costs, and what the Beverly Hills department will ask for.

Kitchen remodel

Interior-only remodels (no structural changes, no plumbing/electrical upgrades) may skip design review but still need a building permit if work involves moving walls or utility lines. Plan review: 2–3 weeks.

Accessory dwelling units (ADUs)

ADUs are allowed under California law, but Beverly Hills design review and parking requirements apply. Detached ADUs usually need architectural clearance and a separate plumbing/electrical permit. Timeline: 6–10 weeks.

Do I need a building permit in Beverly Hills, CA?

Do I need a permit in Beverly Hills, CA?

What's specific to Beverly Hills permits

Most common Beverly Hills permit projects

Kitchen remodel

Accessory dwelling units (ADUs)

Do I need a building permit
in Beverly Hills, CA?