Building Permits & Inspections

The Planning Division of the Community Development Department is responsible for implementing the City’s Zoning Code, which regulates the types of land uses and buildings that can be located in each part of the City. As such, the Division reviews business licenses to ensure that each business is in the appropriate zone, processes conditional use permits for certain uses pursuant to the Zoning Code, and reviews and processes (as necessary) plans for constructing or modifying buildings and structures.

Planning approval must be secured prior to the issuance of building permits for all new construction and modifications to existing buildings and structures. Depending on the location, use, size and type of building or structure planned, Planning Approval may involve any or all of the following entities: Staff, the City’s Design Review Board, the Historic Resources Commission and the Planning Commission.

The City of Whittier Zoning Code has been developed to ensure a high standard of design and materials for all buildings in the City. In order to more easily interpret the requirements of the Code, the City has adopted Design Guidelines for commercial and residential structures. If you are planning to modify or construct a new building in the City of Whittier, it is recommended that you visit the Community Development Department at City Hall between 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM Monday through Friday or call (562) 464-3380 to request a copy of the Design Guidelines.

Building Permits and Inspections

Under State Law, structures must be built pursuant to locally adopted building codes, in Whittier’s case the Adopted California Model Codes. The Building Division of the Community Development Department is responsible for implementing the City’s Building Code. This includes regulating and controlling the design, construction, quality of materials, use and occupancy, location and maintenance of all buildings and structures within the city of Whittier. As part of its responsibility to ensure that buildings and structures are built to minimum standards to safeguard life or limb, health, property and public welfare, the City requires that a building permit be obtained prior to the construction of improvements to private property. Once a permit is obtained, City building inspectors visit the property at appropriate times to ensure that the construction is occurring pursuant to the plans and the Building Code.

Building permits are required to build, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert or demolish any building. Permits are also required for most plumbing and electrical improvements.

For further information on Building Permits, please call the Community Development Department at (562) 464-3380 or visit any time between 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM Monday through Friday. Building personnel are available at all times, but specific Building Inspectors are in the office between 8:00 and 9:00 AM and 1:00 and 2:00 PM Monday through Friday.