If you’re planning a full teardown, a selective interior demo, or excavation for an ADU, you’ll need a demolition permit in Los Angeles from the LA Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) before any work begins. The process has a few more steps than most homeowners expect — an asbestos survey, utility clearances, and a pre-demolition inspection are all required before LADBS issues the permit. Xpress Demolition, a licensed CSLB #1072657 demolition and excavation contractor based in West Hills, walks clients through this process on every project we take on. Here’s exactly how it works.
Do You Need a Permit to Demolish a Building in Los Angeles?
Yes. Any demolition, partial or complete, of a building or structure on private property within the City of Los Angeles requires a permit from LADBS. This applies to full house demolitions, garage and accessory structure teardowns, and in many cases significant interior selective demolition. If you’re outside city limits but within LA County or Ventura County, the same general principle applies — check with your local building department, since requirements vary slightly by jurisdiction
Step-by-Step: The LA Demolition Permit Process
- Confirm your contractor’s license. Demolition permits must be pulled by a licensed wrecking contractor (Class C-21) or a general engineering contractor (Class A). Xpress Demolition holds CSLB #1072657 (B, C21), bonded and insured.
- Order an asbestos survey. Required for any structure built before 1980 — which covers a large share of homes in the San Fernando Valley and greater LA. The survey must be completed before LADBS will issue the permit.
- Submit the application. Simple demolitions that don’t require a plan check can be filed as an express permit online or in person at any LADBS Development Services Center. Projects requiring a plan check go through the ePlanLA portal, which requires an Angeleno account, along with two sets of plans (site, floor, elevations, and sections).
- Get your utility clearances. If the property has a sewer line, you’ll need a sewer cap permit (a plumbing permit) before LADBS issues the demolition permit. Gas and electric disconnects need to be confirmed with the respective utilities as well.
- Check South Coast AQMD Rule 1403. Depending on your asbestos survey results, a notification to the South Coast Air Quality Management District may be required before LADBS will issue the permit.
- Schedule the pre-demolition inspection. A LADBS building inspector must inspect the site before the permit is issued — this confirms utility disconnects and survey requirements are satisfied.
- Pass inspection and receive your permit. Once the inspector signs off, LADBS issues the permit and demolition can legally begin.
How Long Does the Process Take?
- Express / simple permits (no plan check required): often same-day at a Development Services Center.
- Standard residential demolition with plan check: roughly 15–25 business days.
- Complex projects — multi-unit, commercial, hillside, or historic-overlay properties: 4–8 weeks or more.
Build in extra time up front for the asbestos survey and any required AQMD notification period — both have to be resolved before LADBS will process the permit itself, so they add to your real-world timeline even though they’re separate steps.
What Does a Demolition Permit in Los Angeles Cost?
LADBS calculates permit fees based on the specific scope of your project at the time of filing — there’s no flat citywide rate, so a number quoted for one project won’t necessarily apply to another. Your contractor should be able to give you a realistic range once they know your project’s size and scope. Xpress Demolition includes permit coordination in the estimate process so there are no surprises.
Common Reasons Permits Get Delayed
- Missing or incomplete asbestos survey
- No sewer cap permit filed when a sewer line is present on the property
- Incomplete plan sets — missing site, floor, elevation, or section drawings
- Hiring a contractor who isn’t properly licensed for demolition (Class C-21 or Class A)
Why Work With a Licensed Demolition Contractor
A demolition permit is only half the job — the other half is executing the work safely, cleanly, and on schedule. Xpress Demolition has served West Hills, the San Fernando Valley, and Ventura County since 2019, handling residential demolition, commercial interior demo, selective demolition, excavation, and EPA-certified lead abatement. Our crew communicates fluently in English, Spanish, Hebrew, Russian, and Armenian, so homeowners across LA’s diverse communities can go through the permit and demolition process without a language barrier getting in the way.
Frequently Asked Questions about Demolition Permits in Los Angeles
Do I need a permit for interior selective demolition, not a full teardown?
In most cases, yes — significant interior selective demo (removing walls, structural elements, or full room gut-outs) requires a permit. Cosmetic work like removing cabinets or flooring without touching structure may not. Check with LADBS or your contractor before starting.
Do I need an asbestos survey if my home was built after 1980?
The survey requirement is specifically tied to pre-1980 construction, since that’s when asbestos-containing materials were more commonly used. Your contractor can confirm whether your specific property needs one.
Can I get an express, same-day demolition permit?
Yes, for simple demolitions that don’t require a plan check, LADBS offers express permits at Development Services Centers. Most single-structure residential demolitions with straightforward scope qualify.
Does Xpress Demolition handle the permit process for me?
Yes. Permit coordination — confirming licensing, scheduling the asbestos survey, filing the application, and coordinating the pre-demolition inspection — is part of how we scope every project.
Ready to Start Your Demolition Project?
Xpress Demolition serves West Hills, Woodland Hills, Calabasas, Thousand Oaks, Encino, Sherman Oaks, Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, and the rest of LA County and Ventura County. Licensed CSLB #1072657, bonded, insured. Contact us for a free estimate and we’ll walk you through the permit process for your specific property.