Building Safety

Culver City Building Safety Operations  

The primary function of the Building and 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.

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 Building Code is January 1, 2023.  2022 Building Code Summary(PDF, 68KB)   

Inspections

How Do I Schedule Inspections?

Inspection services ARE operational. 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. Practice social distancing during the inspection. If you are not feeling well, please reschedule the inspection.

  

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 in the bin labeled "Building Safety Drop Off" located outside of our offices on the 2nd floor of City Hall. Plans are accepted for drop off from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday - Thursday and open Fridays.

  4. Staff monitors the drop box daily and generally processes the application(s) within 24-48 hours in the order they are received.

  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.

  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

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.
              

Requirements for the Sale of a Property

Application for Report of Building Records

Click here to view form.

Smoke Detector Requirements for Resale of a Property

Smoke Detector Requirements for Resale(PDF, 365KB)

Earthquake Gas Shutoff Valve Requirement in New and Existing Buildings

Information Bulletin for Gas Shutoff Valve(PDF, 136KB)

 

General Handouts and Informative Documents

Informative Documents and Links

Standard Block Wall Detail 6ft. or Less(PDF, 284KB)

Owner Statement and Acknowledgment of Compliance(PDF, 93KB)

 

Green Building and Energy in Culver City

Powered by the California Statewide Codes & Standards Program and vetted by the California Energy Commission Energy Code Ace has an abundance of resources to help you comply with California's Title 24, part 6 building energy code and Title 20 appliance standards.

Legacy 2019 New Residential CalGreen Checklist(PDF, 641KB)

Legacy 2019 Residential Additions and Alterations CalGreen Checklist(PDF, 600KB)

Legacy Mandatory Green Building Program(PDF, 79KB)

Document Submittal Requirements

Alternative Energy

Permit Applications and General Info

General List of Required Building Permits(PDF, 55KB)  

                   

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.

 

 


Electrification REACH Codes

In January 2020, the City of Culver City kicked off the policy development process to explore local building energy efficiency and electrification reach codes. The proposed regulations aim to reduce carbon emissions associated with building construction, lower operating costs, as well as improve indoor air quality and safety of the City’s building stock through electrification. 

Reach Code Timeline and Community Engagement

We want to hear from you! The City is currently seeking feedback from the community on proposed reach code policies for new residential and new non-residential construction.

You can watch a recording of any of the three community meetings.

 

Background

Every three years, the State of California adopts new building code standards that are codified in Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, also known as the California Building Standards Code. While the State sets the minimum building standards, local jurisdictions can adopt more stringent local building standards (Reach Codes) based on unique local climatic, geologic, and topographic conditions.

Culver City has long been a regional leader in sustainability initiatives. The city adopted its first Mandatory Green Building Program in 2009 and in 2020 phase one of the reach code went into effect. The requirements reach beyond State requirements related to light pollution reduction, water use, construction waste reduction enhancement, shower facilities for bike parking, and defensible space in wildland-urban interface areas.

Building Electrification and Reach Codes

What are the benefits of building electrification?

  • Enhanced Resiliency: solar panels and batteries during power outages, avoids gas line dangers, such as leaks or explosions.

  • Increased Indoor Air Quality: avoids combustion from gas stovetops and heaters, gas appliances release formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxide.

  • Long-Term Cost-Savings: Electric appliances can have a high upfront cost, but research shows it is worth it in the long run. Homes with electric appliances are likely to save money.E3’s “Residential Building Electrification in California,” examines costs, savings, and emissions for electric and gas appliances. E3 found that building electrification would deliver lifecycle cost savings for most home types in the study area.


What financing, rebates and incentives exist for electrification?

  • Building Initiative for Low-Emissions Development Program (BUILD): The Building Initiative for Low-Emissions Development (BUILD) Program is a residential building decarbonization program. BUILD provides incentives and technical assistance to support the adoption of advanced building design and all-electric technologies in new, low-income all-electric homes.

  • TECH Initiative: TECH Clean California is a $120 million initiative designed to help advance the state’s mission to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. Provides comprehensive guidance on product incentives, pilots, workforce development and training opportunities and local and state policies that impact the market.

  • California Electric Homes Program – CalEHP: CalEHP Program is currently under development, not yet accepting applications. Program will provide incentives for the construction of all-electric market-rate residential buildings. Program will provide incentives for installation of energy storage systems to encourage deployment of near-zero-emission building technologies.

  • Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE): PACE Funding is a way for homeowners to borrow money for energy projects and spread the cost over a long period of time.

  • Go Green Financing: An official State of California initiative, GoGreen Financing provides easy access to private financing with exceptional terms and qualified professional contractor services. 


Contact Us

Phone

(310) 253-5800

Email

building.safety@culvercity.org

Hours

  • Sunday Closed
  • Monday
    • 07:30 AM–05:30 PM
  • Tuesday
    • 07:30 AM–05:30 PM
  • Wednesday
    • 07:30 AM–05:30 PM
  • Thursday
    • 07:30 AM–05:30 PM
  • Friday
    • 07:30 AM–05:30 PM
  • Saturday Closed

City Hall is closed on alternating Fridays.

Hours of Construction

8:00 am - 8:00 pm Mon. - Fri.
9:00 am - 7:00 pm Saturday
10:00 am - 7:00 pm Sunday

(Or as indicated in development agreement)

 

 

 

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