City of Lawndale, CA

When Are Plans Required?

Plans are required to be approved by the City of Lawndale before any permits can be pulled. Below is a list of projects that require a Site Plan Review.

Contact the Planning Department at (310) 973-3230 to determine if your proposal will require a Site Plan:

• New storage structures (above 120 sq. ft.),
• Additions and expansions to a structure,
• Complete or partial demolition of a structure,
• Removing, adding, replacing, or relocating walls,
• Remodels,
• Occupancy changes,
• Parking lot re-striping, 
• Tenant improvements,
• Accessory dwelling units,
• Installation, modification, or demolition of patios, pergolas, decks, porches, etc.

Submittal Requirements

If plans are required to be submitted to the City, then a Site Plan Review application must be submitted to the Planning Department to start the review process.

In Person Submittal

• $1,600 deposit
• Three full-sized sets of plans (24"x36")
• One reduced-sized set of plans (11"x17")
• Site Plan Review Application

Digital Submittal

• $1,600 deposit
• PDF copy of full-sized plans
• PDF copy of Site Plan Review Application

A licensed architect or draftsman must draw the plans. A draftsman may also draw plans for small work. A floor plan of the existing property conditions and proposed changes is required. Contact the Planning Department at (310) 973-3206 to verify what additional details will be required to be on the plans.

Download Site Plan Review Application (PDF) (675 KB)

Download Plan Preparation Requirements Flyer (PDF) (199 KB)

Entitlements

Extensive alterations to a property may require one or more entitlements (such as a Special Use Permit, Tentative Map, Design Review, etc.) to be approved by the City of Lawndale Planning Commission. Planning staff will inform the applicant if one is required once the initial Site Plan Review application has been reviewed. Please contact the Planning Department if your project will require any entitlements.

Plans To Permits Process

After Planning has conditionally approved your project, you will need to submit structural plans to the Building & Safety Department for their review and approval. This review process will require additional fees to be paid. Additional clearances may be required after Building & Safety approves your plans.

If additional clearances are required after Building & Safety's approval, permits can then be pulled after obtaining the additional clearances.

Once the construction work is completed, you will need to request two separate final inspections - one with Planning and one with Building & Safety.

Permit Requirement Guidelines

Download Plans to Permit Flow Chart (PDF) (83.7 KB)