Most residential, commercial, and industrial construction work on private property, 
whether new, added, remodeled, or altered, require building plans and permits.
 

To determine if your project requires a permit, call 626-570-5034. 
 
To request a building inspection:
Inspection requests must be made at least one day in advance by calling 626-570-3240.
The inspection request line is open from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
You may call the Building Division at 626-570-5034 the day of your inspection after 9:30 a.m. to get an indication of whether the inspection will occur in the morning or afternoon.
 

The Building Division provides plan review and construction inspection services to enforce minimum safety standards by regulating and controlling design, construction, quality of materials, use and occupancy, as well as location and maintenance of all buildings and structures.
 
To streamline the permit process, both the Planning and Building Divisions provide contractors and homeowners with an easy step-by-step guide for completing the process. On large-scale projects, pre-construction coordination meetings are held with project proponents and all City staff who will play a role in the construction process to help ensure a smooth running project.

For related information, view the following:

• Alhambra Municipal Code (see Title XX: Building and Construction)
• Single-Family Residential Design Guidelines
• Home Improvement Resources
• Energy Star Products
• City of Alhambra Home Improvement Assistance Programs for Income-Qualified Homeowners
• State of California - Contractor's State License Board

Most residential, commercial, and industrial construction work on private property - whether new, added, remodeled, or altered - require building plans and permits. A property owner may apply for a permit, including building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical, as an "owner-builder" if the owner lives on the property. If the owner does not live on the property, the owner is only allowed to apply for a building permit. Permits must be obtained prior to the onset of any work and include the following types of jobs:

• Building construction/remodeling - New structures and room additions, exterior stucco, interior remodeling, roofing, structural repairs, pools and spas; enclosure of a patio, replacement of windows, any structural work
• Electrical - Installing, altering, reconstructing or repairing electrical wiring 
• Mechanical - Installing, altering, reconstructing or repairing heating, ventilating or air-conditioning or refrigeration equipment and duct work, miscellaneous heating appliances
• Plumbing - Piping, re-piping, new or replacement fixtures and devices, swimming pool equipment, repair or installation of lawn sprinklers
• Sandblasting
• Sign Installation

HIRING WORKERS

Section 7031.5 California Business and Professional Code states that only properly licensed individuals or individuals specifically exempt (Section 7044) from the provisions of the Contractors State License Law shall be allowed to pull a permit for work regulated by code. Owners who obtain construction permits must perform the work in a safe and professional manner, and must provide worker's compensation insurance for relatives and others working on the project even if they are not being paid. Worker's compensation requirements do not apply to the property owners living on the property and immediate family members who also live on the property.