Building Permit (Tenant Improvement) — Los Angeles
Restaurant build-outs and remodels in the City of Los Angeles require LADBS building/trade permits before work begins.
What it is. The building/trade permit(s) for construction, alteration, or tenant improvement of the space.
Who issues it. Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) (City layer).
When you need it. Before any construction, alteration, or repair; most restaurant tenant improvements go through plan review (counter or full).
How to apply. Submit plans via LADBS plan review & permitting; schedule inspections at each stage; all must pass before occupancy.
Fees. Per LADBS fee schedule — see source (⟢ VERIFY).
What SpoonSeal tracks. The document(s) you upload for this requirement, with automatic renewal/expiration tracking (Current, Due Soon, Expired). Where the city publishes health-inspection results (e.g., NYC and Chicago), SpoonSeal syncs them automatically; elsewhere they can be added manually.
References
- LADBS, Building Permits — https://dbs.lacity.gov/services/plan-review-permitting/building-permits — Official source last checked: 2026-07-02
- LADBS, Plan Review & Permitting — https://dbs.lacity.gov/services/plan-review-permitting — Official source last checked: 2026-07-02
Stay ahead of this requirement
SpoonSeal stores your documents, tracks expirations, and reminds you before anything lapses — so you are always inspection-ready.
Get started free →This guide is informational and not legal advice. Always confirm current requirements with the official agency linked above.