Below you will find information that might help you understand how to find things or learn about information you might need to know about your city or town.
Building & Safety Department
7
A building permit is required whenever you are manipulating the interior or exterior of the structure in any of these ways:
Altering
Constructing
Converting
Demolishing
Improving
Moving
Repairing
Permits Required
Permits are required for the following projects:
Additions and Alterations
Carports (Commercial)
Garage Conversions
New Construction
New doors or windows (including any window or change outs)
New Fireplace
New or alterations to any of the following: electrical, mechanical, or plumbing systems
New Swimming Pools or Spa
Patio Covers (Solid or Lattice)
Patio Enclosures
Relocation of interior walls
Room Conversions
Storage sheds over 120 square feet
Tenant Improvements
Permits Not Required
Permits are not required for the following projects:
New kitchen cabinets or change-out of existing cabinets on residential properties
New wood flooring or carpets
Painting of existing buildings
Storage sheds and detached structures under 120 square feet. However storage sheds are subject to setback requirements as set forth in Zoning Ordinance
Contact
Contact the Planning Department at 626-579-6540, ext. 3201 for more information.
Building & Safety Department
Property Owners, State of California Licensed Contractors or Agent for property owner/contractor (with proper authorization) may obtain a building permit.
Property Owners
Property Owners must provide the following:
Completed and signed "Notice to Property Owner"
Condominiums and Townhomes- If the project is in the common area or exterior of a condominium building, a letter of authorization signed by the Home Owners Association (HOA) president is required along with documentation (e.g. HOA minutes) verifying the authenticity of the president’s position with the HOA. Alternatively, authorization from all condominium owners may be considered.
Corporation LLC or Partnership- If the property is owned by a Corporation, LLC, or Partnership, you will need to provide a copy of the operating agreement or corporate paperwork from when the corporation was formed, which verifies which of the following it is:
CEO
Managing Member
Partner
President
Vice-President
Proof of identification:
Alien Registration Card
Driver’s Licenses
State Issued ID Card
U.S. Passport
Proof of ownership, if there has been a recent transfer of ownership (e.g. Grant Deed, Escrow Closing Statement)
Trust - if the property is owned by a Trust, a copy of the trust paperwork showing the trustee or executor as an authorized signatory for the property.
Contractors
Contractors must provide the following:
If licensee is different than applicant for building permit, then a notarized "Authorized Agent Form - Contractor" will be required to pull permits on behalf of the licensed contractor. This form will need to be on file with the City and on-hand at time of permit issuance.
Individual pulling permit must have a current Contractor’s Registration License with the City of South El Monte.
Proof of current State of California Contractor’s License and classification (pocket card)
Proof of valid Worker’s Compensation Insurance (for contractors with multiple employees)
Building & Safety Department
Issuance of a Building Permit is contingent on the complexity of a project. Some projects may obtain permits over-the-counter while other projects will be routed to the City’s designated plan-check consultant. On average, first review of plans will take two to three weeks. The City will contact and coordinate with an applicant or representative on the availability of plans following the initial plan check process. It is then the responsibility of the applicant or designee to address all corrections prior to resubmitting for re-check with the City which will take an additional two to three weeks, after resubmittal.
Timeline May Change
Please note, these timelines may be expanded or shortened depending on the complexity of a project.
Building & Safety Department
Most plan checks require three sets of plans and two sets of structural calculations (if applicable). Depending on the type of project, additional documents and information may be required. All plans must be large enough to be clearly legible in detail and print.
Pre-Approval
Once a set of plans are approved, a building permit is issued to allow for construction. Construction activity generally must be completed within 180 days from the issuance of the permit. The City may also engage the services of pre-approved outside inspectors for certain types of construction projects.
After Project Completion
At the conclusion of all construction activities, including inspections, a permit will be closed or finalized. After the final inspection, the permit and plans are archived by the City and may be viewed over the counter.
Building & Safety Department
Depending on the scope of the project any or a combination thereof, of the government agencies listed may be required to review and approve plans prior to any construction activity:
City of South El Monte: Planning Division, Public Works Department, Industrial Waste Division and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Division
Los Angeles County: Fire Department, Health Department, and Public Works
Other Agencies: Air Quality Management District (AQMD)
After Submission Process
After submittal, plans will be routed to City’s building plan check consultant, the City’s Public Works Department, Industrial Waste and NPDES.
Building & Safety Department
The total number of copies to be submitted vary depending on the type of project. Generally, plans must include the following drawings:
Architectural
Electrical
Energy
Mechanical
Plumbing
Structural
Project Approval Stamped / Signed
These plans are to be stamped and wet signed by the design professional(s) responsible for the project. Some minor types of projects may not require an Architect or Engineer in the design. If not sure contact the Building and Safety Department at 626-579-6540.
Commercial & Residential Requirements
For new commercial, residential and new additions to commercial and residential three full set of plans are required for building plan check. Once plans are approved, the City will keep first set, 2nd set will go to the owner or contractors, while the 3rd set will be routed to the Tax Assessor Office.
For commercial tenant improvements and residential interior remodels, two sets of plans will be needed for submittal, other agencies may require plans depending on the scope of work.
More Information
For additional information on the plan check submittal process, please refer to the Building and Safety Division Routing Process for Plan Check Submittal handout form that is available at the City Hall.
Building & Safety Department
A plan check application submitted to the Building and Safety Division is good for 180 days from the date of plan check submittal. An extension maybe granted by submitting a written request with detailed explanation with the reason for the extension prior to the expiration date of the plan check.
Health & Safety Code
Effective January 1, 2019 Assembly Bill (AB) 2913 adds a new Health and Safety Code Section 18938.6 to provide that a Building Permit can remain active so long as the work authorized by the permit was commenced within 12 months, and the work is not abandoned. In addition, the building official may grant one or more extensions of time for periods of not more than 180 days per extension. A permittee requesting such extensions must make the request in writing and demonstrate justifiable cause for the extension.
Residential Building Permits
For residential building permits, permittees need not comply with building standards issued subsequent to permit issuance so long as the permit is not deemed expired for certain reasons. Previously, a permit was deemed expired when work was not commenced within 180 days. AB 2913 extends that period to 12 months.
Building & Safety Department
Street Sweeping
10
Parking is restricted on street sweeping day to achieve cleaner public streets. No parking during the scheduled sweeping times assures the street sweeper will be able to clean the street as much as possible.
Street Sweeping
The street sweeper needs sufficient time to complete all the streets scheduled for each route. The sweeper also can occasionally experience delays because of other factors.
Street Sweeping
Consider parking your vehicle on your driveway or in your garage until the sweeper has finished. If your garage and driveway is full, check adjoining neighborhoods not scheduled for the same street sweeping scheduled. It is also important for you to remind your guests or any service providers at your home or business (gardener, pool cleaner, etc.) of the street sweeping schedule and that their vehicle cannot be parked on the street.
Street Sweeping
No, sidewalks are designed to create a safe space for pedestrians to walk and avoid moving traffic. When vehicles are parked on the sidewalk, it means individuals who utilize wheelchairs, seniors, people pushing strollers, children walking to and from school are especially endangered when they have to walk into the street because of blocked access. It is also against the law, California Vehicle Code Section 22500(f) prohibits any vehicle from stopping, parking, leave standing, whether attended or unattended on any portion of a sidewalk. The citation amount for breaking the law is $46.
Street Sweeping
Entire neighborhoods can be posted for parking enforcement without posting the ends of every block. The signage for your neighborhood will be placed at all the entrances to your tract.
Street Sweeping
The fine is $42.
Street Sweeping
Every effort is made to sweep the streets, even when it rains. Vehicles are still subject to a citation regardless of weather conditions.
Street Sweeping
No, you must place all yard waste and other debris in proper trash containers. The street sweeper is not designed to remove piles of lawn waste and debris; therefore will bypass them. Excessive debris could prevent the street sweeper from completing the scheduled street sweeping route for the day.
Street Sweeping
You should only park on the street after the posted time on the street sweeping sign has passed. Even though you may have seen the sweeper go by once, it may need to go for a second sweeping.
Street Sweeping
If your street sweeping day falls on a holiday, then street sweeping will not be performed for that day. Your sweeping will resume the following week and the other sweeping days are not affected.