Building Safety

The primary function of the Building Safety Division is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public by ensuring safe buildings.  We accomplish this through permitting, plan check, and inspection services.

The Zoning Code Update is in effect as of October 9, 2024.  View the General Plan Land Use Map(PDF, 795KB) or Zoning Map(PDF, 665KB). 

Virtual Appointments

You can share documents and get real time feedback on:

• Planning & Zoning questions
• Building permit application and issuance
• Building Code issues
• Soft Story Retrofit Program

Join from anywhere!

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Reach us at building.safety@culvercity.org for service, questions, and inspection requests. Replies to inquiries are within 24-48 hours answered in the order they are received. 

The effective date for the 2022 California Building Code is January 1, 2023.  2022 Building Code Summary(PDF, 68KB)

Inspections

How Do I Schedule Inspections?

Inspection requests should be made via email at building.safety@culvercity.org. Please provide the following information:

  • Permit number (s)
  • Site address
  • Type of inspection being requested.  Include any additional info that the inspector might need to properly conduct your inspection.
  • Date of desired inspection. (Inspection dates are not guaranteed.  You will receive a confirmation email once your inspection is scheduled.)
  • Inspection contact name and phone number.

Inspections may be conducted in person or virtually via FaceTime or Cisco Webex Meet.

Permits

How Do I Apply Electronically for an Over the Counter Permit?

  1. Complete the permit application for the specified scope of work: 
  2. Please be sure to provide a contact name, phone number and email address.
  3. Send the completed application to building.safety@culvercity.org or fax it to (310) 253-5824.
  4. Staff will process the application and you will receive an invoice of fees along with a link to our online payment portal.

  5. Once the payment has been processed, the issued permit will be sent back for electronic signature and must be signed by the contractor, property owner as owner/builder or agent for the contractor or property owner. Contractors will be required to have a current Culver City business license.

Can I Submit for Plan Check Electronically?

Only the following building permit types may be handled electronically via email.

  1. Send a completed Application for Building/Demo Permit(PDF, 269KB) with plans to building.safety@culvercity.org
  2. Staff will process the application and you will receive an invoice of fees along with a link to our online payment portal.
  3. Your plans will routed electronically to the appropriate departments.
  4. Staff will notify you via email with corrections or approval.
  5. If your plans are approved staff will email the issued permit for electronic signature.  Permits must be signed by the contractor, property owner as owner/builder or agent for the contractor or property owner. Contractors will be required to have a current Culver City business license.
  6. Once we have received the signed permit, we will send the approved/stamped plans to you via email.

How Do I Apply for a Solar Photovoltaic or EVSE Permit?

To see if you qualify for a streamlined "no fee" expedited permit click below.

If you do not qualify for an expedited Solar PV or EVSE, please follow the instructions below:

  1. Send a completed Electrical Permit Application(PDF, 247KB) with a pdf of your plans to building.safety@culvercity.org
  2. Staff will process the application and your plans will routed electronically to the appropriate departments.
  3. Staff will notify you via email with corrections or approval.
  4. If your scope of work includes scope that is not integral to your solar or EVSE work, you will receive an invoice of fees along with a link to our online payment portal.
  5. If your plans are approved staff will email the issued permit for electronic signature.  Permits must be signed by the contractor, property owner as owner/builder or agent for the contractor or property owner. Contractors will be required to have a current Culver City business license.
  6. Once we have received the signed permit, we will send the approved/stamped plans to you via email.

How Do I Submit Plans for Review via Drop Off?

  1. Complete the permit application for the specified scope of work: 
  2. Please be sure to provide a contact name, phone number and email address.

  3. Wrap the completed application(s) around the required number of plans and drop them off at the Building Safety Division counter, City Hall, second floor, between 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday - Thursday and open Fridays.

  4. Staff monitors the counter for intake.

  5. Staff will process the application(s) and you will receive an email with invoice of plan check fees along with a link to our online payment portal or payment may be made in person.

  6. Once the payment has been processed, you will receive and email confirmation of payment and a subsequent email verifying that your plans have been routed to the appropriate departments.

Please Note: 

  • All plan checks are running approximately 15-20 business days from date of payment and routing. Large discretionary projects may be up to 30 business days.
  • Notice to wireless applicants, applications submitted during non-working hours will be deemed to have been received the next business day. 
  • ONCE THE REVIEW IS COMPLETE STAFF WILL NOTIFY THE APPLICANT via EMAIL

 

Culver City Sample Building Safety Permits and Applications

Sample ADU Building Safety Applications and Permits(PDF, 6MB)

Sample Duplex Use Building Safety Applications and Permits(PDF, 6MB)

Sample Townhouse Building Safety Applications and Permits(PDF, 6MB)

Sample Multi Family Building Safety Applications and Permits(PDF, 11MB)

Sample Mixed Use Building Safety Applications and Permits(PDF, 10MB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

How Do I Submit Resubmittals, Revisions and Addendums?

  1. Bring the required number of resubmittal, revision or addendum sets along with a detailed narrative of either correction responses or changes and drop in the bin labeled “Building Safety Drop Off” located outside of our offices on the 2nd floor of City Hall.  Drop off of plans is available from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday - Thursday, and open Fridays.
  2. Plans and applications will sit for approximately 48-72 hours for sanitization prior to processing.
  3. Staff will process the application(s) and you will receive an email verifying that your plans have been routed to the appropriate departments.
  4. Some minor revision/addendums may be handled digitally. Please email building.safety@culvercity.org with a summary of the changes and a pdf copy of the existing approved plan sheet and updated sheet.

Please Note:  All plan checks are running approximately 15-20 business days from the date of payment and routing.

How Do I Pick Up My Plan Check Corrections?

  1. A correction list will be sent out by email only when all departments have completed their review. Please follow the directions in your email notification.
  2. To pick up the plans you must email building.safety@culvercity.org, include “Request Plan Pick Up” and permit number in your subject line. Let us know what day you would like to pick up.
  3. Staff will arrange for the plans to be place outside in our pick up bin labeled “Building Safety Correction Pick Up” located outside of our offices on the 2nd floor of City Hall.  The plans will be labeled with the plan check number and property address. Pick up of plans is available from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday - Thursday and open Fridays.

What Should I Expect Once My Plans have been Approved?

  1. Building Safety staff will notify you of approved plans and will send the invoice of fees with a link to our online payment portal.
  2. We will require that you provide us with your contractor's name, state license number, Culver City business license, phone number and email. Contractors will be required to have a current Culver City business license.
  3. Once the payment has been processed, the issued permit will be sent back for electronic signature and must be signed by the contractor, property owner as owner/builder or agent for the contractor or property owner. Contractors will be required to have a current Culver City business license.
  4. Once Building Safety receives the signed permit, we will contact you to coordinate a time to pick-up the plans from the “Building Safety Issued Plan Pick-Up” bin located outside our offices on the 2nd floor of City Hall.  The plans will be labeled with the permit number and property address. Plans are available for pick up 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday - Thursday and open Fridays.

Plan Check and Permit Expiration & Extensions

Expiration of Plan Check

An application for a permit for any proposed work is deemed abandoned 12 months after the application date. A request for an extension may grant additional time, not exceeding 90 days each, when conditions or circumstances preclude securing the permit within the allocated time. Extensions may require additional plan check and additional fees.

Expiration of Permit

Every permit issued shall become invalid unless the work on the site authorized by such permit is commenced within 12 months after its issuance, or if the work authorized on the site by such permit is suspended or abandoned for a period of 180 days after the time the work is commenced. A request for an extension may grant additional time, not exceeding 180 days each, when conditions or circumstances preclude the work from being completed. An extension of time may require conditions of approval, additional fees, and/or new permits.

Get an Extension

Request a Plan Check or Permit Extension

Culver City Municipal Code 15.02.105

 

                         

Requirements for the Sale of a Property

Application for Report of Building Records

Smoke Detector Requirements for Resale of a Property

Earthquake Gas Shutoff Valve Requirement in New and Existing Buildings

 

General Handouts and Informative Documents

Gender Neutral Restroom Facilities in New Construction Effective June 27, 2024

May 28, 2024 the City Council passed an Ordinance for Gender Neutral Restroom Facilities in new construction. The Ordinance applies to any building permit application for new ground up construction submitted after June 27, 2024.

Exemptions

Restrooms facilities within residential units, tenant improvements, remodels, additions, and alterations.

References

Ordinance(PDF, 190KB)

Checklist(PDF, 69KB)

Examples of Layouts(PDF, 126KB)

Quantities

The minimum number of fixtures shall be the aggregate calculated at 50 percent female and 50 percent male in accordance with California Plumbing Code table 422.1. The substitution of a water closet for a urinal is permitted on a one to one basis. 

Design Standards

  • Single-user and multi-user facilities are designed and identified for use by all genders.
  • Signage indicates that the restroom facilities are for use by all genders.
  • Restrooms facilities are located along common and open circulation path.
  • The main entrance to the restroom facilities does not have a door.
  • Water closets designed as single-user compartments and designated for use by no more than one occupant at a time, or for family/assisted use.
  • Water closets enclosed on all sides by walls/partitions extending from up to one inch above the floor and/or from the ceiling, and with a door enclosing the fixture. 
  • Lavatories located in the same compartment as a water closet or grouped in an immediately adjacent common use area accessible to all users.
  • Urinals located in an area visually separated from the remainder of the facility or in an individual compartment(s).
  • The door to each individual compartment containing a water closet and/or urinal has a locking mechanism controlled by the occupant. The lock shall visually indicate to outside occupants that the compartment is occupied.
  • Light and ventilation is provided within each compartment and area.
  • Windows or glazing used in the compartment enclosures is opaque.
  • The substitution of a water closet for a urinal is permitted provided the total number of fixtures complies with the California Plumbing Code (CPC). 

 

Accessibility

  • Facilities are to comply with the July 1, 2024 mid-cycle amendments to the 2022 California Building Code (CBC).
  • Facilities are to comply with CBC, Sections 11B-213.
  • Urinal compartments are to comply with CBC, Section 11B-605.5.
  • Signs are to comply with CBC, Section 11B-216.8.
  • Baby diaper changing stations are to comply with CBC, Section 11B-226.4.

 

 

                                 

Certified Access Specialists (CASp)

Certified Access Specialist (CASp)

NOTICE TO APPLICANTS FOR BUSINESS LICENSE AND COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS

Applicants for commercial building permits are encouraged to take advantage of California Access Specialists (CASp) inspection services, state and federal programs for assistance with access compliance and access expenditures, federal and state legal requirements of accessibility for individuals with disabilities. 

AB-3002-Notice(PDF, 121KB)

List of Certified Access Specialists (CASp)

California Commission on Disability Access - Resources

 

Seismic Retrofit Program

Seismic Retrofit Program

Background

As most California residents are well aware, earthquakes are a part of Southern California culture.  Damage to vulnerable buildings, physical injury, loss of life, and economic loss are some of the most apparent threats from earthquakes. Certain types of buildings in California built under earlier versions of the building code have characteristics that may make them vulnerable to earthquakes. 

Standards

An Ordinance providing seismic strengthening standards of a Soft Story building vulnerability, is adopted.  

In order to assist owners seeking to seismically strengthen other types of building vulnerabilities Culver City Municipal Code Section 15.02.145 provides minimum design standards for Unreinforced Masonry Building Wall Buildings (California Existing Building Code Section A1), Reinforced Concrete and Reinforced Masonry Wall Buildings with Flexible Diaphragms (California Existing Building Code Section A2), and Cripple Walls and Sill Plate Anchorage of Light, Wood-Frame Residential Buildings (California Existing Building Code Section A3). 

Grants

The Earthquake Brace and Bolts (EBB) Program developed by the California Earthquake Authority (CEA) and California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) to help lessen the potential for damage to houses during an earthquake with Cripple Wall and Sill Plate Anchorage of Light, Wood-Frame building vulnerabilities. 

The EBB Program provides eligible homeowners a grant up to $3,000.  Low-income homeowners may qualify for a supplemental grant, which is additional funding over and above the EBB $3,000 grant. 

Visit the EBB Program for more information, check eligibility, and sign up for notifications. Registration usually opens in October and lasts a month.